Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate Investment in Dubai - Bonne Apart

Bonne Apart offers a comprehensive range of services, including property buying and selling, rental management, property management, investment advisory services, Golden Visa assistance, market analysis, property valuation, and Bitcoin payment processing. Whether you are looking for residential or commercial properties, we provide personalized assistance tailored to your needs with 16+ years of industry experience.

Yes! We offer comprehensive virtual property tours using 3D technology and video walkthroughs for international clients. Our online consultation services allow you to meet with our experts via video call, receive property recommendations, and complete most of the documentation process remotely before arriving in Dubai.

Yes, we offer professional property management services to ensure your investment is well-maintained and profitable. This includes tenant sourcing and screening, lease management, rent collection, property maintenance coordination, regular inspections, utility management, and detailed monthly reporting to keep you informed about your investment.

Our commitment extends beyond the sale. We provide comprehensive after-sales support including assistance with snagging inspections, connections with utility providers, furniture package recommendations, interior design consultations, ongoing property management services, and continuous market updates to help you maximize your investment value.

Absolutely. We have partnerships with leading interior designers and renovation contractors in Dubai. We can guide you through property upgrades, connect you with trusted professionals, help you obtain necessary approvals, and ensure renovations enhance your property value and rental potential.

The process is simple: First, contact us via our website or book a consultation. We'll discuss your requirements, budget, and preferences. Then we'll shortlist suitable properties and arrange viewings (virtual or physical). Once you select a property, we guide you through offer negotiation, MOU signing, securing financing if needed, completing legal documentation, and final handover. Our team handles everything from start to finish.

Off-plan properties are under construction and typically offer lower prices, flexible payment plans (often 60/40 or 70/30), and potential capital appreciation. Ready properties are completed and available for immediate move-in or rental, with known actual layouts and immediate rental income. Off-plan suits investors seeking capital gains, while ready properties suit those wanting immediate returns or occupancy.

For ready properties with cash payment, the process typically takes 2-4 weeks from offer acceptance to ownership transfer. With mortgage financing, expect 4-8 weeks. Off-plan properties follow the developer's construction timeline, usually 1-3 years, with ownership transferred upon completion. We expedite the process by handling all documentation efficiently.

During handover, we conduct a detailed snagging inspection to identify any defects, ensure all amenities are functioning, verify measurements match the plan, check all fittings and finishes, and create a punch list for the developer. We ensure all issues are resolved before you accept the property. This protects your investment and ensures you receive a perfect property.

Yes, non-residents can freely purchase property in designated freehold areas in Dubai, which include most prime locations like Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and Business Bay. The process is straightforward, requiring only your passport and proof of funds. There are no residency requirements to own property, though ownership can help you qualify for residency visas.

You'll need: a valid passport copy, UAE entry visa or stamp, Emirates ID (if resident), proof of funds or bank statements, passport-sized photographs, and signed sales agreement. For mortgage purchases, additional financial documents are required. Our team provides a complete checklist and assists with document preparation to ensure smooth processing.

Main costs include: Property price, 4% Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee, 2% real estate agency fee (typically paid by buyer), AED 4,000-10,000 property registration fee, mortgage registration fee (if applicable, 0.25% of loan), valuation fees (AED 2,500-3,500 if getting mortgage), NOC fees from developer (varies), and optional costs like conveyancing lawyer fees. We provide a detailed cost breakdown for complete transparency.

Common payment plans include: 60/40 (60% during construction, 40% on handover), 70/30 (70% during construction, 30% on completion), 80/20 (80% during construction, 20% on handover), and Post-Handover plans (3-5 years payment after completion). Some developers offer 1% monthly installments. We help you find properties with payment structures that match your financial strategy.

Dubai offers some of the highest rental yields globally, typically ranging from 5% to 9% annually depending on location and property type. Areas like JVC, Dubai Sports City, and International City offer 7-9% yields. Dubai Marina and Downtown typically yield 5-6%. Villas in communities like Arabian Ranches offer 4-6%. We provide detailed ROI projections for each property based on current market data.

We connect you with trusted mortgage brokers and leading UAE banks. UAE residents can finance up to 80% for properties under AED 5M (first property) or 75% for properties over AED 5M. Non-residents typically receive 60-75% financing. Interest rates currently range from 4.5% to 6.5%. We help you compare offers from multiple banks to secure the best terms for your situation.

Yes! Bonne Apart accepts Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies as payment for property purchases. We work with licensed crypto payment processors to ensure secure, compliant transactions. This option is particularly popular with international investors seeking to diversify their portfolio. We guide you through the entire crypto-to-property process smoothly and securely.

Service charges cover building maintenance, security, common area upkeep, and amenities. Costs typically range from AED 5-25 per sq.ft. annually depending on the development and amenities. Luxury towers with extensive facilities charge more. These are paid quarterly or annually to the building management. As landlord, you typically pay these, though they can be negotiated in rental agreements.

ROI calculation: (Annual Rental Income - Annual Costs) / Total Investment × 100. Annual costs include service charges, maintenance (typically 1-2% of value), property management fees (if applicable, 5-8% of rental income). For example: AED 1M property generating AED 70K annual rent with AED 15K costs = 5.5% net ROI. We provide detailed ROI projections including capital appreciation potential for all properties.

Dubai offers a unique combination of benefits: 0% personal income tax and 0% capital gains tax, high rental yields (5-9%), strong capital appreciation (10-15% annually in recent years), stable and transparent legal system, strategic location connecting East and West, world-class infrastructure, diverse expat community, strong tourism sector, Golden Visa opportunities, and consistent government support for real estate. It's one of the world's most investor-friendly markets.

Top investment areas include: Dubai Marina (strong rental demand, waterfront lifestyle), Downtown Dubai (premium location, iconic views), Jumeirah Village Circle (high yields 7-9%, family-friendly), Dubai Creek Harbour (new development, growth potential), Dubai Hills Estate (luxury family villas), Business Bay (business district, high demand), Dubai South (affordable, near Expo site), and Palm Jumeirah (ultra-luxury, unique properties). Each area offers different investment profiles - we help match areas to your goals.

Promising upcoming projects include: Dubai Creek Harbour (waterfront living near Downtown), Emaar Beachfront (beachfront luxury towers), Dubai South (mega development near Al Maktoum Airport), Port de La Mer (beachfront luxury), Meydan One (mall, ski slope, entertainment), Tilal Al Ghaf (lagoon living by Majid Al Futtaim), and new projects in Dubai Hills Estate. These offer modern amenities, strategic locations, and strong appreciation potential. We provide detailed analysis of each development.

It depends on your goals. Apartments typically offer: higher rental yields (6-9%), lower entry price (starting AED 500K), easier maintenance, better liquidity, and location in central areas. Villas offer: larger spaces, family appeal, land ownership, potential for higher appreciation, privacy, and typically 4-7% yields. For pure ROI, apartments in emerging areas work well. For lifestyle and long-term appreciation, villas in established communities are excellent.

The outlook remains positive with projected 5-8% price appreciation in 2025. Key drivers include: continued population growth, Expo 2020 long-term impacts, Golden Visa attracting wealthy investors, limited supply in prime areas, strong tourism recovery, Dubai becoming a global business hub, and new developments attracting international buyers. While luxury segment may see moderation, mid-market properties continue strong demand.

Key price factors include: Location and proximity to key areas (Metro, business districts, schools), quality of developer and project reputation, available amenities and facilities, property type and size, view and floor level, age of property and maintenance condition, market supply and demand dynamics, government regulations and incentives, infrastructure developments (new Metro lines, roads), and overall economic conditions. We analyze all these factors to identify undervalued opportunities.

The Golden Visa offers long-term residency for property investors: Purchase property worth AED 2M+ and qualify for a 10-year renewable visa for you, spouse, and children. Properties valued AED 750K+ qualify for a 5-year visa. Benefits include no sponsor requirement, ability to live, work, and study in UAE, 100% ownership of mainland business, and ability to sponsor family members. We guide you through the entire Golden Visa application process.

Ejari is the mandatory rental contract registration system in Dubai with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). It's required for all rental properties and provides legal protection for both landlord and tenant, is needed for utility connections (DEWA), required for tenant visa applications, and used for resolving disputes. Registration costs AED 220 and takes 1-2 days. We handle all Ejari registrations for our clients.

Property owners have comprehensive rights including: Full ownership of property in perpetuity in freehold areas, right to rent, sell, or mortgage the property, right to sponsor family members for residency, ability to apply for Golden Visa, protection under Dubai Land Department regulations, right to register tenancy agreements, and access to legal dispute resolution through Rental Dispute Centre. Dubai's property laws strongly protect owner rights.

Foreign nationals can own property 100% in designated freehold areas, which include all major developments like Dubai Marina, Downtown, JBR, Business Bay, Arabian Ranches, and many others. Freehold ownership means complete ownership forever. In some areas, long-term leases (99 years) are available. There are no restrictions on the number of properties you can own, and no requirements to be a resident to own property.

For Muslim owners, property is distributed according to Sharia law. Non-Muslim foreign nationals can register a will with Dubai Courts or DIFC Wills Service Centre specifying beneficiaries. Registered wills ensure property passes to chosen heirs without Sharia application. We strongly recommend all property owners register wills to avoid complications. We can connect you with legal professionals specializing in estate planning for Dubai property.

The rental process includes: Property valuation and rental pricing strategy, professional photography and marketing, tenant screening and background checks, lease agreement preparation, Ejari registration, security deposit collection (typically one month), post-dated cheques collection (1-4 cheques annually), move-in inspection documentation, and ongoing property management. We handle the entire process, ensuring you get quality tenants and maximum rental income with minimal hassle.

Rent can only be increased at lease renewal (typically annual). Increases must follow RERA's Rental Increase Calculator guidelines based on current rent vs. average market rent for similar properties. Generally: 0% increase if current rent is above market average, up to 5% if significantly below market, maximum ~20% over two years if substantially below market. Arbitrary increases are not permitted - all must be justified by market data.

Vacancy rates vary by area and property type. Overall Dubai residential vacancy is around 10-15% as of 2024, down from higher rates in previous years. Prime locations like Dubai Marina, Downtown, and JBR typically have lower vacancy rates (5-10%) due to strong demand. Emerging areas may have higher rates initially but offer better rental yields. We provide area-specific occupancy data and marketing strategies to minimize your vacancy periods.