Insights · Buyer Guides

What's happening, what it means, what I think.

Guides and opinions on Dubai real estate. Report, interpret, advise: every piece ends with my honest take.

Buyer Guides · 11 Oct 2026

Dubai South Villa & Townhouse Specialist: Emaar South, South Bay, The Pulse Beachfront and Expo Valley

Looking for a Dubai South villa or townhouse specialist? Golf and lagoon homes in Emaar South, South Bay, The Pulse Beachfront, Hayat, Waada, Expo Valley and Azizi Venice.

Read →

Buyer Guides · 11 Oct 2026

How to Choose the Best Real Estate Broker in Dubai (2026): A 10-Point Checklist

The best real estate broker in Dubai is not the one with the loudest ads. It is the one who is licensed, transparent about every fee, honest about risks and proven by real clients. Here is a 10-point checklist to find one, for buyers in Dubai, across the UAE and abroad.

Read →

Buyer Guides · 10 Oct 2026

Off-Plan Handover in Dubai: A Step-by-Step Guide for Owners

The off-plan handover process in Dubai, step by step: completion notice, final payment, mortgage, snagging, utilities, Oqood to title deed, and whether to sell, lease or move in.

Read →

Buyer Guides · 10 Oct 2026

Buying Property in Dubai From Abroad: A Complete Guide for International Buyers

How to buy property in Dubai from abroad: who can buy, buying remotely step by step, paying from overseas, non-resident mortgages, costs and taxes.

Read →

Buyer Guides · 10 Oct 2026

Dubai Golden Visa Through Property: The 2026 Rules Explained

Get a 10-year UAE Golden Visa with AED 2M of Dubai property. 2026 rules: mortgaged and off-plan properties now qualify on the DLD-certified value.

Read →

Buyer Guides · 10 Oct 2026

How to Avoid Off-Plan Property Scams in Dubai: Escrow, Oqood and What to Check

How to avoid off-plan property scams in Dubai: check DLD registration, pay only into the project escrow account, read the SPA and register with Oqood.

Read →

Buyer Guides · 10 Oct 2026

How to Avoid Scams When Buying a Ready Property in Dubai

How to avoid scams when buying a ready property in Dubai: verify the broker, seller and title deed, check for mortgages and service charges, and pay only at the DLD Trustee office.

Read →

Buyer Guides · 9 Oct 2026

What it really costs to buy property in Dubai, with a real example

Budget 6–7% on top of the price for a cash purchase and 8–10% with a mortgage. Every fee explained, with a real worked example from an off-plan resale.

Read →

Buyer Guides · 9 Oct 2026

Front row or golf view? What ‘golf-course frontage’ really means in Dubai

Golf view and golf frontage are not the same thing. What front-row actually means, what to check before you buy, and when it's worth paying for.

Read →

Buyer Guides · 9 Oct 2026

Buying an off-plan resale in Dubai: how the payments actually work

When you buy off-plan from the current owner, you pay three things: the seller's paid amount, the remaining developer instalments, and the transfer costs. Here is how each part works and what to check.

Read →

Free · Weekly

Get Dubai This Week on WhatsApp

My weekly read on the Dubai market, new launches worth a look, and the occasional "don't buy this". Straight to your phone, no spam, leave any time.

Join my WhatsApp channel

Start a conversation

Tell Umar what you're looking for.

Or WhatsApp

Prefer to talk? Call +971 58 675 5986 or email umar@umartherealtor.com.