Dubai buyers have more choice and room to negotiate, experts say

Dubai home buyers have more choice and more room to negotiate than in recent years, property experts told Gulf News. They point to flexible developer payment plans and incentives, and say conditions differ by community and property type.

Gaurav Aidasani, Founder and CEO of Union Square House, described "a balanced market, and in some pockets a buyer's market." In his view sellers dictated terms for the past few years, while buyers can now view more homes and bring offers backed by evidence. Areas with several recently finished apartment projects give buyers more to compare. Villas in established neighbourhoods still draw strong interest because supply is limited.

ValuStrat reports that 80 per cent of tracked villa communities held stable values in September 2026. Savills counted 669 sales of homes priced over Dh10 million during the third quarter of 2026.

Olga Shevkolovych of Primal Alliance Real Estate, citing Dubai Land Department reports, said 41.4 per cent of third-quarter sales were homes under Dh1 million. She said some developers ask for 20 per cent upfront and the remaining 80 per cent at handover. Other projects spread payments over seven to eight years, with monthly instalments advertised from Dh6,799. Experts advise comparing total price, financing costs and later obligations.

Off-plan buyers may also get help covering the four per cent registration fee charged by the Dubai Land Department, longer schedules, or part of the price payable after handover. Aidasani advised checking a developer's delivery record and escrow setup.

The Dubai Land Department also runs a First Time Home Buyer programme for first-time buyers living in the UAE. It applies to eligible homes under Dh5 million and offers early access to launches, preferential developer prices and bank financing.

Jasko Miletić of Dubai Rapid Properties said buyers should know the gap between asking prices and actual transaction values. That means checking comparable sales, how long a listing has been up and why the seller is selling. He said buyers paying cash or holding mortgage pre-approval are better placed to negotiate.

For buyers, the experts' practical steps are to check Dubai Land Department transaction records, secure pre-approval or proof of funds, and weigh payment terms alongside price. Gulf News reported the details.