Sales transactions in Dubai

Dubai property prices are down by 3.6% over the past 12 months, according to DLD transactions. The average price per sqft is up by 3% over the past 12 months, which accounts for differences in home size. The biggest moves were in The World Islands (up by 150.8%), Dubai Internet City (up by 132.5%), and Al Qusais (down by 90.6%), so the citywide figure can hide what’s happening in your area.

Real estate transactions in Dubai reached 159,922 over the past 12 months, down by 19.9%. If you’re buying for rental income, homes are earning a gross yield of 5.7%. If you’re timing your purchase around price, the average home sold for AED 2,590,000, down by 3.6%. The right call still depends on your own budget, timeline, and whether you’re buying to live in or to invest.

Expect to pay an extra 7–8% of the property value when buying a home in Dubai. The bulk of these expenses includes DLD fees, agency and conveyance costs, and mortgage fees if applicable.

DLD charges

• DLD registration fee: 4% of the price you pay, collected by the Dubai Land Department.
• Trustee fees: AED 4,000 plus VAT for properties priced AED 500,000 or above, or AED 2,000 plus VAT for properties below AED 500,000.
• Title deed issuance: AED 250
• Knowledge Fee: AED 10
• Innovation Fee: AED 10.

Real estate agency fees

• Agent commission: 2% of the property price, with 5% VAT.
• Conveyancing fees: between AED 6,000 and AED 10,000, depending on how much of the paperwork you hand over. You don't have to use one, but it can make the transfer smoother.

Mortgage fees if applicable

• Down payment: 20-25% of the property value
• Mortgage registration: 0.25% of the amount you borrow, plus AED 290.
• Property valuation: AED 2,500 to AED 3,500 plus 5% VAT.
• Bank arrangement fee: 1% of the loan plus 5% VAT.

Service charges & utilities

• Service charges: ongoing fees that differ by property and development
• DEWA security deposit: AED 2,000 for apartments and AED 4,000 for villas
• DEWA Activation fee: AED 130

Yes. Buyers of any nationality can own freehold property outright in Dubai's designated freehold areas, which include Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and JVC. You don't need UAE residency, a visa or a local sponsor to buy a property in Dubai. A valid passport is enough.

Buying can also give you a route to residency. A completed property can qualify a sole owner for a two-year property investor visa. Property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify you for the 10-year Golden Visa, which accepts ready or off-plan homes, mortgaged properties, and several properties combined to reach the threshold. Outside the freehold areas, non-GCC nationals are generally limited to leasehold or usufruct rights rather than full ownership.

The advertised price is what a seller is asking. The registered price in Dubai Land Department transactions is what the buyer actually paid, recorded with the DLD when ownership transfers, so it usually sits below the original listing after negotiation. The gap can also run the other way on off-plan homes, where the registered price reflects what was agreed at launch rather than what the home is worth at handover.

This data comes from DLD transactions, Dubai Land Department records of registered sales, not advertised asking prices. Figures update as new sales are registered.