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Investing in secondary real estate in Dubai in 2025: returns, risks, best areas
Investing in secondary real estate in Dubai in 2025: returns, risks, best areas
Anton Moskalev
@Anton_Moskalev
The secondary market in Dubai is a very good and undervalued market. I enjoy working with it. Here you can find really profitable properties with a clear history, documentation, and real returns. In terms of profitability, such investments often outperform purchases on the primary market.
In this article, I will explain how the secondary real estate market in Dubai will work in 2025, what properties are worth considering, where to start, and how to make money from it.
In this article, I will explain how the secondary real estate market in Dubai will work in 2025, what properties are worth considering, where to start, and how to make money from it.
Why Dubai's secondary market will offer stable returns in 2025
Why Dubai's secondary market will offer stable returns in 2025
When buying a property that was built 5–10 years ago, I am investing in an already established infrastructure: the area is well developed, there are large trees, lots of greenery, and no construction sites nearby. The price per square meter has already stabilized, and the demand for rent is clear, so it is easy to calculate the return on such investments.
What properties are profitable to buy on the secondary market in Dubai in 2025
What properties are profitable to buy on the secondary market in Dubai in 2025
Properties in poor condition but in a good location. These could be apartments that were previously rented out on a short-term basis or villas from a developer who has gone bankrupt. Sometimes you can find options at very low prices, especially when the sale is urgent and forced.
What to do after the purchase?
What to do after the purchase?
Finish building or renovate and sell. To be honest, this is the most labor-intensive and difficult stage. Finishing a villa in Dubai is almost like building an apartment building: you need a licensed contractor, official permits, and there are many different rules in the city, often very different from each other. Without experience and expertise, it is easy to get lost here. Apartments are a little easier, but even there you can't do without documents and approvals.
The subsequent sale is also fraught with certain difficulties. Due to the low commission set by law in the UAE, it is often unprofitable for brokers to spend time on such properties. As a result, many simply place ads on platforms and wait for someone to respond. As a rule, there is no active promotion.
The subsequent sale is also fraught with certain difficulties. Due to the low commission set by law in the UAE, it is often unprofitable for brokers to spend time on such properties. As a result, many simply place ads on platforms and wait for someone to respond. As a rule, there is no active promotion.
How I work:
How I work:
- I determine the location with the highest demand
- I find an investment property there
- I determine the future sale price of the property based on transactions over the last 6 months
- I calculate the cost of redesign and renovation
- I calculate the timing of the work and the timing for the sale of the property
- I set a target return on investment of 30-50% within approximately 6 months
- I buy the property if it meets these criteria
- I monitor the progress of the work
- I sell the property
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about investing in secondary real estate in Dubai in 2025
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about investing in secondary real estate in Dubai in 2025
Buying secondary real estate in Dubai in 2025 is often more profitable than investing in the primary market (new construction). In the secondary market, the infrastructure of the area is already in place, the market price per square meter is stable, and the rental yield is clear. Investing in ready-built properties allows you to make a profit faster or implement a flip strategy (resale at a profit). New developments, on the other hand, offer flexible payment plans but are more often geared towards a long-term cycle and carry higher risks of delays or revaluation.
The average return on investment in secondary real estate in Dubai in 2025 is between 5% and 9% per annum when renting. With a "buy-renovate-sell" (flip) strategy, experienced investors can earn 30-50% profit per cycle lasting 4-6 months, especially in the segment of undervalued properties with growth potential in liquid areas. It all depends on the location, condition of the property, and accurate assessment of the cost of redesign and the market.
In 2025, the following areas will show high profitability and liquidity in the secondary market:
- JVC, JLT, Arjan, Al Furjan — ideal for inexpensive but promising investments;
- Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Downtown — for premium properties with high rental demand;
- Business Bay and Dubai Hills — for quick resale after renovation.
It is best to invest in properties with potential for value growth: these can be older apartments in good areas that have been rented out on a short-term basis and require cosmetic repairs, or villas from bankrupt developers. Properties that are being sold urgently are also valued, as it is possible to negotiate and buy below market price. The main thing is to thoroughly check the documents, technical condition, and profitability.
The main risks are
- overly high expectations of sellers (market overheating);
- difficulties with resale, especially if the property is unique;
- the need for expensive repairs and bureaucracy with permits;
- low motivation among brokers due to limited commission (2% on each side);
- possible market price correction in 2025–2026 (according to Fitch's forecast, a drop of up to 15%).
Yes, in 2025, foreigners will be able to freely buy secondary real estate in Dubai even without a residence visa. However, if the property is worth AED 750,000 or more, you can obtain a 2-year investor visa for the UAE, with the possibility of extension. This gives you access to bank accounts, a local SIM card, a driver's license, and other resident benefits. When purchasing through experienced consultants, the visa is often obtained free of charge as part of the deal.
To purchase a property in Dubai on the secondary market in 2025, you will need:
- the buyer's foreign passport;
- a sales and purchase agreement (SPA);
- the seller's title deed;
- proof of payment;
- for mortgages — bank approval and NOC from the developer (if applicable).
What I offer:
What I offer:
To scale successfully and grow quickly, you need to increase your investment. I'm offering you a business partnership: together, we can buy bigger properties, which will help us boost our margins and cut costs. We'll work together on a profit-sharing model, where we split the profits from each project 50/50.
If you are interested in this type of cooperation or simply want to ask questions, write to me on Telegram @Anton_Moskalev. I will tell you how everything works, share figures and examples of projects, and together we will think about how we can make money in this market.
If you want to stay up to date with all the latest news, offers, and insights from the market, subscribe to the channel Real Estate | Investments | Dubai. I regularly share important information there.
If you are interested in this type of cooperation or simply want to ask questions, write to me on Telegram @Anton_Moskalev. I will tell you how everything works, share figures and examples of projects, and together we will think about how we can make money in this market.
If you want to stay up to date with all the latest news, offers, and insights from the market, subscribe to the channel Real Estate | Investments | Dubai. I regularly share important information there.
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