Dubai off-plan, explained properly
THE CONSIDERED GUIDE TO DUBAI OFF-PLAN.
Most of what you'll read about off-plan property is written to close you. This site is written to inform you — developers compared on data, every fee itemised, the risks stated plainly, and the short-term rental numbers shown with the deductions left in. When you're ready to talk, I'm one WhatsApp message away.
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Five taps — goal, budget, timeline — and you get a genuine starting plan on screen: matched areas with sourced numbers, payment-plan logic, and what to read next. Nothing to fill in.
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Explore the Dubai investment map
Twelve areas, tap to compare — prices per sqft, rents, gross yields, density, drive times and the honest outlook for each, sources included.
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The four guides most buyers need first
Golden Visa
Golden Visa Through Off-Plan Property in Dubai: The 2026 Rules
The February 2026 rule change lets off-plan buyers apply for Dubai's Golden Visa on an Oqood alone. How the new route works, step by step, with costs.
Developers
Emaar vs DAMAC in 2026: The Data-Led Comparison
Emaar vs DAMAC compared on 2025 results, transparency, delivery reputation, payment plans and resale liquidity — data over marketing, from a Dubai consultant.
Buying Off-Plan
Is Off-Plan Safe in Dubai? What Escrow Law Actually Protects
What Dubai escrow law really protects off-plan buyers from, where the gaps are, and the 10-minute verification routine I run before any purchase.
Short-Term Rental
Airbnb vs Long-Term Rental in Dubai: The Honest Numbers
A net-vs-net comparison of short-term and long-term rental in Dubai, with a worked 1-bed Marina example, sourced data and every deduction counted.
Browse by topic
Every section, one standard
Golden Visa
The AED 2M property route after the February 2026 rule change — process, edge cases, and the mistakes that stall applications.
Developers
Track records, payment plans and disclosure compared on data — not on the sales office brochure.
Buying Off-Plan
Escrow law, every fee itemised, payment plans modelled, and what actually happens if a project is cancelled.
Areas
Area calls tied to real catalysts — the airport move, the supply wave — not generic neighbourhood tours.
Market
What the data and the rating agencies actually say about where Dubai property is heading.
Short-Term Rental
Airbnb-style returns in Dubai with the deductions left in — licensing, real net yields, and when long-term wins.
Buying From Abroad
Buying Dubai property from India, the US, Europe, China or Africa — moving money legally, home-country tax realities, and the exit plan.
Latest
Short-Term Rental
Airbnb vs Long-Term Rental in Dubai: The Honest NumbersA net-vs-net comparison of short-term and long-term rental in Dubai, with a worked 1-bed Marina example, sourced data and every deduction counted.
Short-Term Rental
Best Areas for Airbnb in Dubai: Data, Not VibesSourced ADR and occupancy ranges for Downtown, Marina, JBR, Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah and JVC — and where the real yield sweet spots sit.
Market
Branded Residences in Dubai: When the Premium Is Worth PayingDubai is the world's largest branded residences market. An honest look at the premium, the service charges, and when the brand survives resale.
Short-Term Rental
Buying Off-Plan for Airbnb in Dubai: What to Check FirstHow to choose an off-plan unit for short-term rental: building rules, layouts that book, service charges, handover timing and the furnishing capex clash.
Short-Term Rental
Dubai Holiday Home Licence: DET Rules, Fees and RequirementsWho can hold a DET holiday home permit in Dubai, what it costs, Tourism Dirham rules, operator vs self-managed routes, and what gets owners fined.
Buying Off-Plan
Dubai Off-Plan Fees Explained: DLD, Oqood and Every Other DirhamEvery fee on a Dubai off-plan purchase itemised on a worked AED 2M example — DLD 4%, Oqood, trustee and admin fees, plus service charges and cooling costs.