On this page
- What should a first time buyer look for in a Dubai realtor?
- What questions should you ask before signing the buyer agreement?
- What are the red flags when choosing an agent?
- How do you verify a Dubai realtor and property advert?
- How I help first time buyers choose a first home
- What should you do before making an offer?
Key points
- Check the agent and brokerage in DLD’s Dubai REST app before sharing documents or paying.
- Ask for a written explanation of the property, its running costs and all buying costs.
- Read the buyer agreement carefully. It should describe the agent’s role and agreed commission.
- Check adverts for a Trakheesi permit number and Madmoun QR code.
- No consultation fee. No commission payable to Naveen. Property purchase and third-party costs are separate.
What should a first time buyer look for in a Dubai realtor?
The best realtor in Dubai for first time buyers is someone who starts by understanding your needs, not by pushing a particular listing. A first purchase can involve unfamiliar rules, financing, paperwork and ongoing expenses. Your agent should explain each stage in plain language and give you room to make a considered decision.
Look for an agent who:
- Asks about your budget, reason for buying and expected timeline before suggesting homes.
- Can explain the difference between ready, resale and off plan property, including the relevant process and risks.
- Compares suitable homes and developers, including drawbacks as well as advantages.
- Gives you a written cost sheet that separates the purchase price, fees, payment commitments and ongoing expenses.
- Answers questions directly and does not promise a particular return or future price.
A good fit depends on what you want the property to do. If you plan to live in it, commute, layout and practical ownership costs may matter most. If you are buying to rent it out, ask how the rent assumptions compare with the full costs and what risks could affect demand.
Dubai’s market conditions can change. DLD reported AED 917 billion in real estate transactions in 2025, up 20% (DLD). Residential prices rose about 12.1% that year (Cavendish Maxwell). In 2026, sales from January to September were about 23% below the same period in 2025, while still the second best nine months on record (Savills). Buyers have more room to negotiate, but nobody can guarantee what happens next.
For more on ownership rules and the purchase process, read my guide to buying property in Dubai as a foreigner. For broader advice on choosing an agent, see how to choose the right realtor in Dubai.
What questions should you ask before signing the buyer agreement?
The buyer agreement sets out the relationship between you and your agent. It should state the agreed commission (Bayut, Property Finder). Do not sign until you understand what the agent will do, how long the agreement applies and what you may owe. Ask for any verbal promises to be included in writing.
Useful questions include:
- What is your BRN, and which brokerage are you registered with?
- Which areas and property types do you work with that match my needs?
- How will you compare homes, developers and payment plans for me?
- Can you provide a written breakdown of buying costs and annual service charges for each option?
- What commission, if any, is payable, and when? Is it clearly stated in the agreement?
- For an off plan home, how will you check project registration, status and escrow?
- Who will coordinate viewings, documents, developer questions and the next steps?
Buying costs deserve special attention. The DLD transfer fee is 4% of the price (DLD). Other possible charges include trustee office, title deed, mortgage registration and developer NOC fees, depending on the transaction (DLD). A mortgage also has bank costs. Ask which charges apply to your specific purchase, rather than relying on a rough estimate.
No consultation fee. No commission payable to Naveen. Property purchase and third-party costs are separate. I explain the purchase and third-party costs clearly before you decide whether to proceed.
What are the red flags when choosing an agent?
Be cautious if an agent pressures you to reserve immediately, avoids questions about their licence or commission, or will not explain the property’s drawbacks. The best realtor in Dubai for first time buyers should help you compare options without claiming that a home is guaranteed to rise in value or produce a fixed return.
Other warning signs include:
- A cost estimate that leaves out service charges or other applicable transaction expenses.
- An advert without a Trakheesi permit number or Madmoun QR code.
- A request to pay into an account that cannot be verified as the correct recipient.
- An off plan recommendation without a clear way to check the project and its escrow.
- A buyer agreement you are told to sign without time to read or ask questions.
Ask for supporting information and take time to check it. If the explanation changes when you ask for details, pause before paying or signing.
How do you verify a Dubai realtor and property advert?
Use DLD’s Dubai REST app to search the agent’s name, BRN or the office’s ORN in Registered Brokers. Confirm that the licence is active and linked to the brokerage you were given. I do not quote a BRN here; you should check an agent’s current registration directly in the official app.
Every Dubai property advert needs a Trakheesi permit number and Madmoun QR code (DLD). Check that these details are visible and correspond to the listing. For off plan, use DLD’s Project Status Enquiry and Dubai REST to check project information and escrow. You can also review building service charges in DLD’s Service Charge Index.
RERA forms have different purposes. Form A is between a seller and the listing agent; the buyer agreement is between a buyer and their agent; Form I is an agreement between agents on a joint deal; and Form F is the sale contract signed by buyer and seller (Bayut, Property Finder). Understand which document you are signing and what it commits you to.
How I help first time buyers choose a first home
I work with residents and overseas buyers on off plan, ready and resale homes in Dubai. Through Almirax Properties, I also cover Aldar communities in Abu Dhabi. My approach is clarity before you commit to a Dubai property, with the options and trade-offs explained before you make a decision.
I begin with six practical questions:
- What should I buy? I match suitable properties to your budget, goals and buying timeline.
- Which project should I choose? I compare relevant projects and developers, including advantages and drawbacks, and use DLD’s Project Status Enquiry where relevant.
- What will it actually cost? I explain purchase costs, payment milestones, service charges and ownership expenses, using DLD’s Service Charge Index for service charge checks.
- Does the investment make sense? I can outline rental income scenarios against the full costs, with assumptions and risks made clear.
- Which unit is better? I compare layout, floor, views, orientation and likely tenant appeal unit by unit.
- How do I manage the purchase? I coordinate viewings, developer questions, documents and next steps.
After a conversation, I prepare a free personal shortlist of three to five suitable options, with costs, payment commitments and key trade-offs. This helps you compare a first home based on the things that matter to you, rather than choosing from a stream of unrelated listings. Get your free personal shortlist.
No consultation fee. No commission payable to Naveen. Property purchase and third-party costs are separate. Any costs connected to buying the property itself, including applicable government, trustee, mortgage or developer charges, remain separate from my advice.
If you are still comparing agents, read how to choose the right realtor in Dubai. My aim is to help you understand your options and take the next step only when the property, costs and process make sense to you. The best realtor in Dubai for first time buyers should make those comparisons clear and give you the information to decide for yourself.
What should you do before making an offer?
Start with a budget that includes the price, applicable buying costs, any mortgage expenses and ongoing service charges. Confirm how you will pay, what documents are needed and whether you need a mortgage approval before signing a sale agreement. If you are buying off plan, check the project, escrow and payment schedule before transferring money.
Then compare the shortlist against your priorities. Visit the property where possible, ask about anything you do not understand and check the documents before signing. The best realtor in Dubai for first time buyers should help you complete these checks without rushing you. A first home is a major commitment, so give yourself time to make an informed choice.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best realtor in Dubai for first time buyers?
Choose a licensed agent who understands your goals, explains the buying process and gives you a written breakdown of costs. Check their registration in DLD’s Dubai REST app, review the buyer agreement before signing and verify that property adverts show the required permit and QR code.
What buying costs should a first time buyer budget for in Dubai?
The DLD transfer fee is 4% of the property price (DLD). Depending on the purchase, you may also need to budget for trustee, title deed, mortgage registration, developer NOC, bank and service charge expenses. Ask for a written, property-specific breakdown before you reserve.
What is the buyer agreement when purchasing a home in Dubai?
It is the agreement between a buyer and their agent. It should set out the relationship and agreed commission (Bayut, Property Finder). Read it before signing, ask what work the agent will provide and make sure any fee and important conditions are written clearly.
How can I check whether a Dubai property agent is registered?
Search the agent’s name, BRN or brokerage ORN in the Registered Brokers section of DLD’s Dubai REST app. Check that the licence is active and linked to the stated brokerage. Also look for a Trakheesi permit number and Madmoun QR code on each property advert.
Does Naveen charge first time buyers a consultation fee or commission?
No consultation fee. No commission payable to Naveen. Property purchase and third-party costs are separate. Government, trustee, mortgage, developer and other costs that apply to your purchase remain payable separately; I can explain them in a written cost breakdown.
What help does Naveen offer someone buying a first home?
After a conversation, I prepare a free personal shortlist of three to five suitable options, with their costs, payment commitments and key trade-offs. I can also compare projects, explain ownership expenses, assess units and coordinate viewings, developer questions, documents and next steps.
