Investing in Dubai: the guide to framing your project
Off-plan can make sense for spreading payments or getting into a project early. But a successful launch on Instagram is not proof of a sound investment. You need to check the project, the contract, the entry price and your ability to keep the property if resale takes longer than expected.
Quick answer
- Check the project and its progress through the official Dubai Land Department services.
- Confirm the project's escrow account; it protects how the funds are used, not your future return.
- Compare the price per square foot with completed properties and launches that are truly comparable.
- Read the delay, transfer and cancellation clauses before paying the reservation.
New to the subject? Start with the guide to buying off-plan in Dubai.
A question about your situation? Mago replies on WhatsApp, in English, within 24 hours.
Ask my question on WhatsApp1. Check that the project exists administratively
The first check is not the brochure. The Dubai Land Department's Project Status service lets you search for a project and see, among other things, its status, the developer, the reported progress and the escrow account information.
A registered project can still carry commercial or timing risk. This check removes part of the administrative risk; it replaces neither the analysis of the contract nor that of the price.
2. Understand what the escrow account really protects
The money paid for an off-plan project goes into an account dedicated to the project under the applicable framework. This is an important protection against the developer using the funds freely.
But the escrow account guarantees neither an exact handover date, nor perfect final quality, nor a capital gain. Presenting escrow as a guarantee of return is therefore misleading.
3. Challenge the entry price
Two apartments of the same size can have very different values depending on the floor, the actual view, the layout, the distance from nuisances and the depth of rental demand. The listed price must be converted to a price per square foot and then compared with several consistent benchmarks.
A discount or a long payment plan does not automatically make up for a starting price that is too high. The right indicator is the total cost of a specific asset against the alternatives available on the same day.
4. Test the timeline and the exit
Each instalment must remain bearable even if your situation changes or handover is delayed. Before reserving, build a calendar with the reservation, the payment calls, the costs, any furnishing and a safety reserve.
Finally, check the conditions for transferring before handover and prepare a scenario in which you have to keep the property. A strategy that only works if you resell quickly is not a robust strategy.
Checklist
- Price per square foot and total cost
- Floor plan, orientation and contractual view
- Future supply in the micro-location
- Estimated service charges and holding cost
Frequently asked questions
Is off-plan always cheaper than a completed property?
No. You have to compare equivalent assets at the same point in time. A new project can include a significant premium linked to marketing, the payment plan or the brand.
Does the escrow account remove the risk?
No. It governs how the project's funds are used, but does not guarantee the return, liquidity, the finish or the exact handover date.
Can you resell before handover?
It depends on the contract, the developer, the percentage already paid and any fees or approvals. The clause must be checked before reserving.
Mago Kitaev, licensed real estate broker in Dubai (RERA, BRN 82528), based in Business Bay. A former project manager in banking and IT, he has been advising French-speaking investors since 2024. See his background
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