Off-plan guide
Guide to Buying Off-Plan and New Projects in the UAE
Off-plan property — buying a home before it is finished, directly from the developer — is one of the most popular ways to invest in the UAE. This guide explains how it works, how your money is protected, how payment plans work and what to check before you commit.
10–20%
Typical booking payment
Escrow
Your payments are held in a project escrow account
4%
DLD fee, usually paid at Oqood registration
Direct
From the developer — no third-party agents
Why buy new projects with Distress Deals UAE
We list new projects straight from the developers, verify each one, and show the real starting price, payment plan and handover date. Our in-house team handles your booking and paperwork — no outside agents or brokers.
Direct from the developer
Launch prices and official payment plans, without a chain of intermediaries.
Verified projects
Developer, permit, location and pricing checked by our quality control team.
Compare side by side
Compare projects on price, payment plan, handover and unit sizes before you decide.
One team from booking to keys
We handle the reservation, the sales agreement, registration and the handover inspection.
How buying off-plan works
Step 1
Choose the project and unit
Compare developers, locations, layouts and payment plans, and pick your unit.
Step 2
Reserve with a booking payment
Pay the booking amount — often 10–20% of the price — to reserve the unit.
Step 3
Sign the SPA
Sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement, which sets out the price, payment schedule, handover date and specifications.
Step 4
Register in Oqood
The purchase is registered in the Dubai Land Department’s Oqood interim register, and the 4% DLD fee is paid (sometimes covered by developer offers).
Step 5
Pay as it is built
Pay the instalments as construction progresses, in line with your payment plan.
Step 6
Handover
Inspect the finished home (snagging), pay the final amount, receive your title deed and collect the keys.
Payment plans explained
Off-plan payment plans spread the price over the construction period. A 60/40 plan means 60% is paid during construction and 40% at handover; a 70/30 plan means 70% during construction and 30% on completion. Post-handover plans let you pay part of the price in instalments after you receive the keys — useful if you want to rent the home out and let the rent cover the payments.
How your money is protected
In Dubai, off-plan developers must be registered with RERA, and buyers’ payments go into a dedicated escrow account for that project. Funds are released to the developer as construction milestones are certified, so your money is used to build your home. Always check the project’s permit number and escrow details — every project on Distress Deals UAE shows its DLD permit where available.
What to check before you buy
Look at the developer’s track record and past handovers, the project permit, the expected handover date and what the SPA says about delays, the service charges once the building is complete, and the resale rules — many developers allow you to resell before completion once you have paid a set share of the price. Visit the site or ask for construction updates as the project progresses.
Frequently asked questions about off-plan property
Is off-plan property safe to buy in Dubai?
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Dubai regulates off-plan sales closely: developers must be RERA-registered and buyer payments are held in a project escrow account and released as construction progresses. Checking the developer’s track record and the project permit adds further protection.
What is a post-handover payment plan?
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A plan where part of the price is paid in instalments after you receive the keys, often over two to five years.
Can I sell an off-plan property before handover?
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Usually yes, once you have paid the share of the price the developer requires (often 30–40%) and received its no objection certificate.
Can I get a Golden Visa with an off-plan property?
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Off-plan properties worth AED 2 million or more can qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa, subject to the current rules on the amount paid and the developer’s approval.