How to buy the perfect villa in Dubai

Define your objective

When you want to buy a villa in Dubai, the first step is to always define your core objectives for the property. Ask yourself questions such as what your budget is for the villa, do you prefer a completed project or an off-plan property, what are the best areas to buy villas in Dubai, and will you be leasing out your villa or living in it. 

Once you obtain clarity on these important questions, your search for the perfect villa will be considerably narrowed down and quicker as you will not be confused by the various options. 

Finalize your location

As Dubai is a big city, finalizing the location of the villa you wish to buy is important. You can either work with a RERA-accredited real estate agent or research online on the best places to buy a villa in Dubai - and determine which of them match your preferences. 

Consider factors such as:

• Accessibility to transportation

• Accessibility to schools (if you have a family), grocery stores, medical facilities, etc 

• Is it near or far from your workplace, as that will impact your commute time 

• Are you near key commercial and economic hubs or recreational facilities? 

• Is the community where your villa is in a well-developed and well-serviced one with lots of amenities? 

• If you have pets, is it a pet-friendly community?

These factors can make or break your decision while buying a villa in Dubai. 

Price and maintenance costs

When you buy a villa in Dubai, it will come with various upfront and additional costs - including maintenance costs.

You can expect to pay upfront costs of about 7% of the property's price when buying a villa, and its important to make sure that you have factored these into your budget.

Beyond the upfront costs of buying a villa, like DLD fees, mortgage fees and agency commission, it is vital to also consider the maintenance costs that you are likely to pay. The type of property that you opt for could have a large impact on how big these maintenance costs are.

For example, older villas in some of Dubai’s more established areas may require more maintenance or decorative work to bring them up to the standard that you would like. Whereas a brand new villa you should be able to move straight into, with less maintenance required in the short term.

Likewise, if you buy a villa that the previous owner did not take proper care of, not only will you bear higher maintenance costs, but there may be repair and renovation costs as well. 

You could consider hiring a professional home inspector who can help you assess a villa’s condition before you set out to buy it. 

Choose the right real estate broker

The right real estate agent in Dubai can transform your villa search. Especially for first-timers wanting to buy a villa in Dubai, the search can be long and confusing. A real estate agent will not only help you gain clarity on the kind of villa you want, they are equipped to help you throughout the search and shortlist properties that meet your criteria.

From feeding you updates on Dubai’s real estate market to knowing the best areas to buy villas in Dubai, to even helping you negotiate the best terms with the property owner - a real estate agent can make your villa search in Dubai much easier and hassle-free. 

Complete legal formalities

When you buy a villa in Dubai, you will be completing a list of legal procedures. It is extremely important to complete them correctly to avoid any delays in obtaining your property. The most important aspect of these formalities will be completing the paperwork. 

Here are some legal factors that will be involved when you buy a villa in Dubai. Note, it is advisable to work with a conveyancer who can assist you with all of these aspects:

• Ensuring that you have no outstanding debts to any authority in Dubai.

• Drafting and signing a real estate contract that includes all the agreed-upon terms and conditions posed by both parties. 

• Applying for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property developer before finalizing the property ownership transfer.

• Inspecting the title deed thoroughly and cross-check to verify its authenticity. 

Why choose Engel & Völkers to buy a villa in Dubai?

Now that you have understood the process of how to buy a villa in Dubai, the next step is to begin your search! 

This is where Engel & Völkers comes into the picture. 

For over 45 years, Engel & Völkers has been specializing in the residential and commercial real estate market.

With a team of over 16,500 agents in more than 35 countries, Engel & Völkers is committed to helping you find your dream home in Dubai and across the world.

You can expect the highest quality of service excellence when you partner with Engel & Völkers. 

Get in touch with us at dubai@engelvoelkers.com or call us on 800 355.