Buying a villa in Dubai

Dubai’s ever-expanding residential sector has a dazzling array of offerings to choose from. Ranging from beachfront mansions to classic family homes in close-knit communities, and everything in between, all with their unique selling points. If you are looking for a villa for sale in Dubai, we have all the info you need to get started.

The right villa for you

A home for your family
Compound living offers a safe, secure environment with a wide array of facilities such as parks, pools, skateparks, gyms, basketball courts and clubhouse restaurants, creating a family-friendly village vibe. Emirates Living and many smaller compounds across Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Barsha and Mirdif are good spots for this type of lifestyle and are always popular with homebuyers looking to purchase properties for sale in Dubaifor their families.

For the golf enthusiast
Dubai's love affair with golf started way back in 1988 when the first all-grass championship course in the Middle East was opened at Emirates Golf Club. Today there are more than 20 golf courses in the country, with many having villas for sale alongside the fairways and greens, such as Jumeirah Golf Estates and Arabian Ranches. These properties provide panoramic views of well-maintained greens, creating a luxurious lifestyle with easy access to world-class golfing facilities.

Beach Paradise
Beachfront villas along Palm Jumeirah and in other coastal locations offer direct access to the golden sand beaches and turquoise waters that Dubai has become known for. Villas in these areas are often not on the market for long as beachfront locations have seen a surge in popularity in the last 12 months and are expected to increase in price again this year.

Smart villas
For design lovers, contemporary villas showcasing the best of the city’s modern architecture in developments, such as in Dubai Hills Estate, offer the latest in smart home technology and are the perfect fit for someone looking to buy a home for sale in Dubai that will support their fast-paced lifestyle.

Luxe lifestyle
For the ultimate in luxury living, Emirates Hills, Al Barari, Jumeirah Park and other prime market locations boast stunning architecture and interiors with large plots of land, private pools and much more.

Top spots to buy a home

Dubai Marina
Gorgeous views of the sea and the three-kilometre waterway, complete with yachts, restaurants, shopping malls and more, Dubai Marina is a bustling and lively spot, popular with families, professionals and businesses alike.

Arabian Ranches
The Ranches, as it is fondly known, offers spacious villas on large plots, excellent facilities and atmosphere, a world-class golf course, schools, health centres and much more.

The Palm Jumeirah
Golden sand beaches, some of the city’s top restaurants, bars and retail spaces, hotels, a water park, concerts, events and much more. For the true Dubai experience, this is your place.

Emirates Living
Emirates Living consists of The Springs, The Meadows, The Lakes and Hattan, The Greens, The Hills and The Views. Each development has its own look and feel, all united with the same exceptional standard of sprawling landscaped green areas and communal areas.

Other areas include Jumeirah Islands, Victory Heights, Dubai Hills Estate, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Tilal Al Ghaf, Sustainable City... The list is endless in terms of villa communities. Check out our full list online using our search features.

Need to know

When buying a villa in Dubai, multiple purchasing options help you find a way to get your dream home. If you can pay the total amount upfront in cash, you can leverage a stronger bargaining position for yourself and free yourself from the added cost of interest rates on a mortgage.

If you are not able to pay the full price in one go, a mortgage can enable you to start with a more manageable initial investment while spreading the rest of the cost over an extended period. The downside is that this can incur interest expenses.

Up to 80 percent of property value can be financed in a mortgage, with a repayment period of up to 25 years (and before the age of 70). Both fixed-rate mortgages and variable-rate mortgages are available when buying a property in Dubai, for residents and non-residents alike. Credit history and proof of employment will be required, of course, as well as other necessary paperwork.

Freehold vs Leasehold
With a freehold purchase, you are buying the villa and the land it is built on. In a leasehold, you are leasing the villa and the land for an extended period of time (normally 99 years). Many areas offer freehold properties, such as Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches, Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Jumeirah Lake Towers and Emirates Living, to name but a few, whereas leasehold properties are harder to find and are often in Dubai Silicon Oasis, Green Community, Mirdif and other areas.

Off-plan Properties
In the first nine months of 2023, off-plan sales in Dubai totalled Dh100 billion and that is set to continue with nearly 80,000 homes currently under construction, scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. The benefit of buying off-plan is competitively lower prices than ‘ready homes’, however, the downside is that you can end up waiting longer than expected.

Other factors
Some residential areas charge community fees, maintenance fees and other charges. Also, in the process of buying a villa, you may incur government fees and other unforeseen expenses. It is important to consult a property agent to get the best up-to-date information on the type of villa and the location you are interested in. If you are looking for a villa for sale in Dubai, we can help you get the search for your dream home underway.