Use these before you sign anything
Every question below should have a clear, documented answer. If any answer is vague, escalate — vagueness at the pitch stage becomes a dispute at the handover stage.
The ten questions
1. Who is the registered seller of record, and is their title clean at DLD?
2. For off-plan: what is the RERA project registration number, escrow account and Oqood status?
3. What is the full all-in cost — price, DLD fee (4%), agency commission, NOC fees, mortgage costs, service charge apportionment?
4. What is the current service charge, and what is the last audited OA budget and reserve position?
5. What are the exact snagging and defect-liability terms and durations?
6. What are the resale restrictions, if any, and the fees on resale?
7. Who is the appointed brokerage, are they RERA-licensed, and is the listing exclusive?
8. What is the projected net yield after all costs, and what assumptions is it built on?
9. If financed, what is the LTV available to me as a non-resident and what are current mortgage terms?
10. What is the estate-planning treatment of this asset under UAE and my home jurisdiction — and have I taken independent legal and tax advice?
The meta question
Who benefits if I sign today? If the answer is 'primarily the person pitching me', slow down. Good opportunities survive a two-week diligence pause.
This article is educational commentary based on public sources. It is not investment, legal, or tax advice. Dubai Real Estate Experts is an independent educational and referral platform operated in connection with Gold Bridge Realty, a Florida real estate brokerage, and is not a licensed Dubai broker. All regulated Dubai real estate services are performed by licensed Dubai partners.