Buying property in Dubai

Guide to Buying Property in Dubai

Whether you are buying your first home, buying property for Airbnb, or growing your investment portfolio, the decision to invest in real estate is a personal one.

At Home It Better, our goal here is to help simplify the process of figuring out how to get started. We want to provide as much information as possible, so that you can enhance your chance of success and invest better.

If you want to expand your knowledge on property investing in Dubai and navigate the market dynamics better, you will love this guide.

We have a few pointers to help build your foundation before committing to any investments.

Now, let’s take a deep dive into property investing in Dubai.

Table of Contents

As a property investor, you will likely have many questions on where to find the ‘next best place’, which property type has the highest ROI, and what investment strategies to use.

We will walk you through the ins and out, equipping you with the knowledge to decide what might align best with your financial goals and investment strategy.

We hope to help you get better perspectives and find those hidden gems. And, with the right knowledge, anyone can unlock opportunities!

  1. Dubai Property Prices & Where are the Best Performing Communities 2024?
  2. Best Websites to Find Properties in Dubai (Highest Traffic 2024)
  3. Best Dubai Metro Stations with High Rental Yields
  4. Best Mortgage Brokers in Dubai (Highest Google Ratings 2024)
  5. Types of Property Visa For Foreigners in Dubai
  6. Freehold vs Leasehold – Which One is Better?
  7. Crowdfunding Platforms: Smartcrowd vs Getstake vs Baytukum

Buying Property in Dubai: Costs & Fees

  1. Is Renting a Waste of Money? Rent Vs Buy
  2. Find Out How Much You Can Afford
  3. Keep In Mind The Property Fees & Extra Cost
  4. 8 Things to Know Before Getting a Mortgages in Dubai
  5. How to Negotiate After a Property Inspection (Snagging) in Dubai
  6. Home Inspection Companies in Dubai (Reviews & Fee Breakdown)
  7. Smart Renovations To Maximize Homes Value & ROI in Dubai

Buying Property in Dubai: Landlord & Airbnb Management

  1. Is Airbnb Better than Long-Term Rental in Dubai?
  2. Self-Managed Vs Using an Airbnb Property Management Company. Which One Is Better?
  3. How to find the Best Airbnb Property Managers in Dubai (Ratings & Fee Breakdown)
  4. Best Rental Yield in Dubai – How To Find Them
  5. How to Boost Your Rental Yield with Rent Hikes in Dubai
  6. Interview with Dubai Property Investor – Kristina

Buying Property in Dubai: Mortgage

  1. Best Mortgage Brokers in Dubai (Highest Google Ratings 2024)
  2. 8 Things to Know Before Getting a Mortgage
  3. What I Wish I Knew About Getting a Mortgage in Dubai
  4. Can You Get an Off-Plan Mortgage in Dubai?
  5. Top 5 Reasons for a Rejected Mortgage in Dubai

Buying Property in Dubai: Off-Plan Investing

  1. Off-Plan vs Ready Properties – Which is a Better Buy?
  2. How to Find Highest Off Plan Rental Yield in Dubai & How to Avoid Bad Developers?
  3. Off-Plan Mortgage vs Post Handover Payment Plans – Which One Is Right For You?

Buying Property in Dubai: Build Your Team

  1. Best Renovation Contractors in Dubai & How to Find a Good One
  2. What I Wish I Knew Before I Renovated in Dubai
  3. Best Smart Thermostats in Dubai: Nest Vs Ecobee
  4. Best Flooring Companies in Dubai
  5. Best Wrapping Companies in Dubai
  6. How to Find Your Superpower Real Estate in Dubai

Buying Property in Dubai: Free Tools

  1. Is Renting a Waste of Money? Rent Vs Buy Calculator
  2. Long-Term Rental Cash Flow Calculator – Free Template
  3. Short-Term Airbnb Rental Cash Flow Calculator – Free Template
  4. How to Boost Your Rental Yield with New Rent Hikes

Property prices in Dubai are more attractive than in many other global cities. $1 million can get you 1,485 sq ft in Dubai, 495 sq ft in Paris, 301 sq ft in London and 269 sq ft in New York.

– Knight Frank

Is it Cheaper to Buy Properties in Dubai than your Home Country?

It’s a question that crosses many minds, especially for those eyeing on potential profits or considering living between two cities.

Let’s find out.

Here is a comparison of the major metropolitan cities’ rental and purchase prices for an apartment:

Rental Price (AED) By Country

Buying Property in Dubai
Rent Per Month (AED)DubaiLondonSingaporeMumbaiParisShanghai
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre7,7619,83810,0112,2095,3403,667
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre14,73520,34719,1396,52612,34010,208
Source: May 2024 (Numbeo.com)

Compared to other big cities like London, Shanghai, and Paris, Dubai’s property prices are one of the lowest.

This low entry point makes Dubai very accessible to investors of all calibers as the initial capital to get started is much smaller, yet it can also achieve an average higher rental yield than other more mature markets.

Purchase Price (AED) per Square Meter By Country

Buying Property in Dubai
Apartment Price (AED)DubaiLondonSingaporeMumbaiParisShanghai
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre17,99564,93070,84127,68746,65160,970
Contributors in the past 12 months734892657553404240
Source: May 2024 (Numbeo.com)

How does Your City Compared to Dubai?

If your city is not the ones we have mentioned, plug it in at Numbeo to find out how it stack up against property prices back home.

Ultimately, the question isn’t just about crunching numbers—it’s about understanding the bigger picture and what makes financial sense for you.

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.
Benjamin Franklin

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