Step 1 – Get your finances in place:

So many of us are guilty of starting the buying process by browsing through properties advertised online only to end up disheartened when our dream home is way out of budget. Keep in mind that the deposit is not the only fee that you need to think about; there are transfer fees, agency fees, sales progression fees, mortgage arrangement fees, and mortgage insurance fees.

We advise you to speak to a mortgage advisor to get all the information you need – they are experts in their field and can talk you through all costs involved in buying your first property in Dubai. Casa Nostra has an in-house Mortgage team ready and waiting to take your call.

Step 2 – Choose a list of essential property features:

Now you have a budget in mind you can start to make a list of must-have property features such as the number of bedrooms required, the driving distance to a school or a workplace, or whether you prefer a villa or an apartment. Be prepared to compromise! A property will rarely tick every box, so put it in order of importance.

Step 3 – Understand the buying process in Dubai:

You must get your broker to talk you through the entire sale process in Dubai from start to finish, from making an offer, the negotiation process, the paperwork required, the NOC, transfer appointments, and the handover. You are about to take a very large leap and spend possibly the most money you have ever spent so it is time to do as much due diligence as possible and ask every single question that pops into your head.

Step 4 – Viewings:

During the viewing process, keep an open mind and don’t rule out a property because of one factor – your broker may be able to come up with a solution. It is often difficult to see past a décor that is not your style, but it is important that you don’t focus too much on things that can easily be changed. Buying a property is a huge step so be sure to ask your broker as many questions as you need to – they will be happy to oblige.

Step 5 – Make an Offer:

Once you have found a property to buy, make a decision on what you would like to offer. Put the offer to your broker and they will start the negotiating process with the seller. This is the most nerve-racking time, but your Casa Nostra broker has it under control and will keep you updated imminently with every advance.

Step 6 – Sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):

An MOU is the first stage in the formation of a formal contract. It is a nonbinding agreement between the buyer and seller outlining the terms and details of an understanding, including each party’s requirements and responsibilities. Your broker will run through this with you to ensure you are happy to go ahead before moving onto the transfer stage of the sale.

Step 7 – Sale Progression:

The Casa Nostra in-house sales progression team will be with you every step of the way to ease you through the sale process and make it as seamless as possible from the No Objections Certificate (NOC) from the developer through to the transfer. They coordinate between you as a buyer, the seller, the developer, and the banks involved and with all the experience they have gathered over the years they are extremely proactive and know the process inside out. Your sales progressor will make sure all of your documents are in order before beginning the process in order to avoid delays.