With off-plan, you are buying the developer's promise. Here is how to check their track record and your protections before you sign.
Location and price matter, but in off-plan the developer matters most. A strong developer delivers on time, to the promised quality, and builds communities that hold their value.
1. Look at what they have already delivered
Visit completed buildings. Look at the finishes, the common areas and how well the building is maintained. Ask how close past handovers were to the promised dates.
2. Confirm the project is registered
Off-plan projects must be registered with the Dubai Land Department, with an escrow account for buyers' payments, before units are sold. You can check the project, the developer and your broker in the Dubai REST app.
3. Read the sale agreement closely
- What happens if handover is delayed?
- Are instalments tied to dates or construction progress?
- When can the unit be resold, and at what cost?
- What are the expected service charges after handover?
4. Think about resale
Projects from well-known developers in established areas usually resell more easily. If you may want to exit before or soon after handover, this matters as much as the launch price.
In off-plan, the developer is the investment.
