Many people think real estate in Dubai is easy. New city, new buildings, no property tax. It looks like a gift. Some of that is true. The rest you learn along the way, and I have.
Why Dubai
Dubai has no property tax, and rental income is not taxed locally for private individuals. The city grows every year, and new people keep arriving who need somewhere to live. That is why rental income is often good. For me, running companies in both Norway and Dubai, it made sense to own something where I already spend a lot of time. If you live in Norway, you still have to check what you owe in tax at home. Many people forget that.
What nobody tells you first
The price in the listing is not the price you pay. There is a government fee when you buy, there is a fee to the agent, and every property has running costs that the owner covers. A building that looks great in photos can be poorly managed. And a good lease on paper is worth little if the tenant does not pay. It is the whole picture that decides whether a purchase pays off, not the price alone.
How I do it now
Today I never buy without seeing the property myself. I always use a licensed agent and my own legal adviser. I work out all the costs before I decide, not after. I am not a real estate agent, and this is not advice. It is simply what I have learned.
Get in touch
Thinking about real estate in Dubai and want to hear more about my experience? Email me at ramiz@ramiz.no.