SKID

SKID answers

Is this Dubai off-plan launch a good deal? How do I check the price?

Judge an off-plan deal by its price per sq ft against DLD closed sales for like-for-like units nearby, not by the discount or the payment plan. A launch priced at or below comparable closed sales with cash to handover you can cover is usually worth reserving; a modest premium is a reason to negotiate; a large premium, or heavy supply handing over at the same time, is a reason to wait or walk away.

Notable live launches

Decision factors

Payment plan

Turn the plan into dates and amounts: what is due before handover, the handover payment, and any post-handover instalments. Add the 4% DLD fee, which is usually paid in full at Oqood registration when you buy from a developer. Off-plan mortgages are capped at 50% loan-to-value, so most of the pre-handover money is usually cash. Discounts, DLD fee waivers and soft payment plans change the real cost, so compare the net price after incentives.

Handover

Treat the handover date in the SPA as a target, not a promise. Check the project's completion percentage in the Dubai REST app and stress-test your cash and rent costs for a 6 to 12 month delay.

Developer

Look at the developer's completed projects: how close past handovers came to the promised date, build quality and snagging, and the service charges residents actually pay. Confirm the project and its escrow account are registered with DLD/RERA.

Community

Use like-for-like comparables: same unit type, a similar size band, comparable floor and view, in the same building or the nearest completed project. Use DLD registered sales, not portal listings. Check how much similar supply hands over in the same year.

Objective

Decide first whether this is a home or an investment. End users should add rent paid until handover to the cost; investors should judge net yield after service charges and vacancy, and how easily the unit will resell.

Methodology

SKID screens live Dubai off-plan launches from its off-plan catalog. For each launch it compares the asking price per sq ft with Dubai Land Department (DLD) closed sales for like-for-like units nearby (same size band, unit type and comparable floor and view), maps the payment plan into the total cash a buyer needs up to handover (instalments, the handover payment and the 4% DLD fee), and weighs handover timing, the developer's delivery record and upcoming supply in the community. The result is one of four calls: Reserve, Negotiate, Wait or Walk Away. Projects shown on this page come from that live screen, not from a static list, so prices and availability change as the catalog updates. Rules and fees quoted here are general; confirm anything material with DLD before you sign.

Data updated 21 Oct 2026

Sources

Related questions

Run your own analysis