Buying Property in Dubai in 2025: Prices, Neighborhoods, Documents & Practical Advice

If you need honest advice on buying real estate in Dubai without marketing hype, fill out this FORM and we will contact you. We also have a nice bonus: when you book and purchase real estate through us, we will take care of your residence visa and prepare all the necessary documents free of charge.

You can also write to me personally on Telegram @Anton_Moskalev, and I will advise you on where to start, how to avoid common mistakes, and who is really worth dealing with in Dubai.

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In this article, I will tell you how the market will work in 2025, which schemes will work (and which will not), and what to look for when choosing a property.

Buying an apartment in Dubai is a fairly straightforward and formalized process, especially if you are buying with your own money, without a mortgage. There is no need to collect income statements or explain why you need real estate. The transaction goes through official channels, is registered in the Dubai Land Department database, and if everything is done correctly, the risk of something "going wrong" is minimized. Everything is transparent and clear, especially compared to other countries where bureaucracy can drag the process out for months.
In the last couple of years, the market has grown significantly, especially in areas with ready infrastructure, such as Dubai Marina, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, and JVC. This has spurred demand, including from those who had not previously considered buying: some have decided to settle down, some have invested in rental properties, and some are simply tired of instability and want a place of their own. Especially after 2022, many families began to move, and now there are noticeably more deals "for living" rather than for investment.
However, it is important to understand that while the market is indeed showing growth, it is not eternal and is not the same everywhere. There are areas where prices are rising faster, and there are locations where the market is overheated. There are projects where apartments are rented out within a week, and there are those where it takes three months to find a tenant. These are subtle things that are important to consider in advance.
If you are buying with a view to the next 3–5 years and understand why you need this property, you are likely to be satisfied. If the decision is spontaneous, based on emotions or the advice of a broker who "knows what you are looking for," the chances of disappointment are higher. In this case, it is better to think a little longer at the start than to figure out how to get out of an unsuccessful investment later.

Before investing, it is important to understand where and for how much you are buying real estate, for what purpose you are doing so, when you plan to exit the investment, and under what conditions.
In Dubai, everything is quite simple: there are agents who work directly in the offices of developers, and there are those who work through third-party agencies. You can buy an apartment directly from the developer or through a third-party real estate agent.
But here it is important to understand one thing: in the first case, the agent works within the company and, in essence, represents the interests of the developer, not yours. They will only show you their company's projects and will not tell you about others, even if there are better options.
The second way is to buy through a broker, through a real estate agency that specializes in selling apartments from different developers. At first glance, this sounds more convenient: there is more choice and you can compare. But there are nuances here too. Such agents often have sales targets, bonuses for meeting quotas, or motivation to close a deal with a specific developer because they need to meet their sales targets. In the end, it all depends on who you end up with: some will really help you, while others will simply sell you what is profitable for them.
And now for the most interesting part: if you enter the market unprepared, without analysis or understanding, you will most likely encounter the third type of agent. These are the guys who know how to talk nicely and convince you that this particular project is the perfect investment and that you need to buy "right now, before it's too late." Unfortunately, our compatriots and those living in neighboring countries often fall prey to such agents.
Remember, a good broker will never push a single option on you. They will not ask you for an urgent prepayment, citing "last unit available" or "unique opportunity." Their job is not to sell at any cost, but to help you understand the market, find what really suits you, and explain what will happen to this property in a year or two. It is worth thinking twice if an agent promises a definite increase in value, says that selling an apartment is as easy as buying one, and that tenants will line up and shower you with money.

In 2025, Dubai launched a large-scale government program to support those buying their first property. This is a serious step towards more affordable housing and conscious urban planning. The essence of the initiative is that new buyers now have an official channel through which they can purchase housing on more favorable terms, directly from the largest developers.
The program provides access to the first lots at the start of sales, the opportunity to purchase at a preferential price, mortgage registration at reduced rates, payment of registration fees in installments without interest, as well as additional bonuses — from free property valuation to special conditions from banks.
Any UAE resident over the age of 18 can participate in the program if they do not own property in Dubai (ownership of properties in other emirates does not prevent participation). The maximum value of the property being purchased is AED 5 million.
The list of developers includes all the key players in the market: EMAAR, Nakheel, DAMAC, Ellington, Azizi, Meraas, Danube, Binghatti, and others. Partner banks include Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Dubai Islamic, Emirates Islamic, and CBD, which is almost the entire pool of financial institutions actively working with mortgages in the emirate.
In practice, this means an easier path to mortgage approval, quick access to deals, and access to liquid offers before they appear on the open market with a markup. However, as always, it is important to understand that "the devil is in the details": the terms and conditions of developers and banks vary greatly, properties may differ in terms of liquidity, quality, infrastructure, and even actual value. Therefore, if you want to take advantage of the program wisely, it is important not just to register, but to figure out which projects are really worth your attention, where mortgages are processed faster and at the best interest rates, and how to navigate the entire process without mistakes.

If you need help, write to me on Telegram @Anton_Moskalev. I have a reliable partner who handles such transactions on a turnkey basis: he will help with mortgage approval, select a property, prepare all the documents, and, if necessary, accompany you to view the property. And if you want to figure it out on your own, here is the official link to register. The program is already up and running.

The choice between primary and secondary in Dubai is not about "which is better," but about what your plan is. New buildings are often chosen by those who are willing to wait, want to get in at the start, and are not in a hurry to get the keys. This can be an interesting strategy, especially if you are getting in at the earliest stages and the developer has a strong reputation. However, it is important to understand that there can be a difference between renderings and reality, and completion dates can be delayed. This happens even with large developers, and you should be prepared for this.
The secondary market is a completely different story. Here you can see the apartment "in real life," get a feel for the neighborhood, infrastructure, building, neighbors, and even potential rent. You can check the documents and calculate the return on investment based on facts, not forecasts. If you need to close a deal quickly and want to make a decision based on the actual property rather than a brochure, the secondary market is a safer bet. This is especially true when it comes to families, relocations, or renting "from day one." By the way, you can read about my unique investment offer in the secondary market here.

I love the secondary market because it gives you more stability. But if you have time, you understand what is being built, where it is being built, and who will be in demand, then the primary market can also be an excellent choice. The main thing is to look a little further than today and not buy just because "everyone else is buying."

There is no universal area in Dubai that would suit everyone. It all depends on why you are buying an apartment. If it is for living, schools, shops, quiet, and easy access to parking are important. If it is for renting, look at tourist traffic or where expats live. If it is for resale in a year, then the stage of construction and the rate of price growth are important.
For those who plan to live alone, quiet and established areas such as Dubai Hills, JVC, or Al Barsha are often suitable. Everything is already built there, there are supermarkets, parks, and good logistics. If it is important to be closer to the center and the business district, then look towards Business Bay or Downtown — but the prices there are, of course, different. For short-term rentals, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and sometimes Downtown are the best options, as they are popular with tourists. For long-term rentals, JVC, Sports City, Arjan, or Silicon Oasis are more popular, as they offer good prices for tenants and clear returns for owners.
It is worth mentioning the new locations that are just starting to develop, such as Dubai South or some clusters in Dubailand. They are suitable for those who are willing to wait for the area to "mature." There may be attractive entry prices, but you need to understand that the infrastructure will not appear immediately. Therefore, you should choose an area not based on advertising images, but on your goals, timeframe, and willingness to "wait and hope" or, conversely, "live and enjoy right now."

When buying real estate in Dubai, it is important to consider not only the price of the apartment itself, but also the associated costs, which are usually underestimated. Here are the main ones:

• DLD registration fee — 4% of the property value, payable upon registration;
• Agent's commission — usually 2% if you buy through a broker;
• Notary and legal services — depend on the complexity of the transaction, on average from AED 5,000 to AED 10,000;
• Money transfer — commissions may apply for international transfers, especially in foreign currency;
• NOC (No Objection Certificate) — required when purchasing a resale property, issued by the management company, costs between AED 500 and AED 5,000;
• Monthly utility bills — calculated per square meter, can range from 10 to 30 AED/m² per month depending on the building and management company.

It is best to include all these expenses in your budget in advance, especially if you plan to rent out or invest, where accurate calculations are important.

Mortgages in Dubai in 2025 will be available to both residents and non-residents, but the terms and conditions will differ. The system is straightforward, but there are some nuances that are important to know in advance:

• Rates: for residents — from 3.99% per annum, for non-residents — more often from 5–6%. It all depends on the bank, currency, and type of property.
• Down payment: minimum 20% for residents and 25–30% for non-residents (based on the appraised value, not the contract price).
• Mortgage term: up to 25 years, age at the end of the term must not exceed 65–70 years.
• Banks: Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Dubai Islamic, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank work steadily with Russian-speaking investors.
• Documents: statements from Russian or foreign accounts, income statement (translated), passport, proof of employment or business.

It can be difficult to get approval without understanding the internal logic of banks — even with normal income, applications are often rejected. I have a trusted specialist who handles mortgage cases from start to finish and knows how to get approval the first time around. Write me to Telegram @Anton_Moskalev if you need help with this issue.

Predicting the Dubai market 1–2 years ahead is a thankless task, but general trends are already visible. Demand remains high, especially from relocators from the CIS, India, and Europe. Rents have been rising for the third year in a row and are likely to continue to rise, especially in areas with ready infrastructure. Many new construction projects are being launched, but they are not being completed as quickly as planned, so no serious oversupply is expected in the near future. The market is also influenced by major government projects: Vision 2030, infrastructure development in Dubai South, and the launch of new economic zones. All this is sustaining interest from both investors and buyers for their own use. Growth will not be as sharp as in 2022–2023, but it will continue — it will simply become more selective: not everything will rise in price equally, and location will once again play a decisive role.

Buying real estate in Dubai is one of the easiest and most straightforward ways to obtain a residence visa. Currently, the minimum entry threshold is AED 750,000, regardless of whether you are buying on the primary or secondary market. The property can be mortgaged, but then you need to pay at least 50% of the cost and obtain the bank's consent (the so-called NOC). The visa is valid for two years with the right to extend, and if the purchase price exceeds AED 2 million, you can apply for a 10-year "golden" visa. To apply, you will need your passport, the purchase agreement, documents proving ownership, and, if there is a mortgage, confirmation of the payment made and approval from the bank. You can find full step-by-step instructions with all the details in a separate article on obtaining a residence visa through real estate, which explains the process in detail and includes all the requirements for 2025.

Before entering into a transaction, it is a good idea to go through the basic steps and make sure you haven't missed anything. Here is a short list of things you should definitely do before buying:

• First, ask yourself honestly why you are buying — for living, renting, resale, or just "just in case."
• Then choose an area that suits your purpose, not just one that looks nice in pictures.
• Calculate your total budget, including fees, commission, furnishing, and possible empty rental at the start.
• If you are buying from a developer, check their reputation and the completion dates of their previous projects.
• If you are planning to take out a mortgage, get pre-approval first so that you understand the limits and conditions.
• Only then should you move on to choosing a property and closing the deal. Don't rush. In Dubai, something new comes out every month — there will always be another opportunity.

This list is not a substitute for personal consultation, but it is a good way to structure the chaos at the start.

In general, no matter how deeply you delve into the subject, the Dubai market still works in its own way. Many things are decided by details: subtleties in documents, installment terms, nuances of house delivery, or hidden pitfalls in the contract. You can figure all this out yourself, but it almost always requires time, nerves, and a couple of mistakes in practice, so if you have the opportunity to turn to those who have already gone down this path dozens of times, it is better to do so.

If you are thinking about buying a home in Dubai and need honest advice without marketing hype, fill out this FORM and we will contact you.

I have worked with almost all developers in Dubai in a number of areas and can tell you about any project you are interested in purchasing. I can also recommend my trusted partners who can help you with mortgage arrangements. There are many pitfalls, so feel free to ask me any questions directly by writing to Telegram @Anton_Moskalev.

If you want to stay up to date with all the latest news, offers, and insider information from the market, subscribe to the channel Real Estate | Investments | Dubai. I regularly share important information there.