An independent real estate agent in Dubai

Almost everyone buying or selling property in Dubai works with an agent. The question worth asking is not whether, but whose interests that agent represents.

The structural point: who pays whom

In Dubai, many intermediaries are paid by the developer. That does not make anyone dishonest, but it has an unavoidable consequence: an agent paid by Developer A shows you Developer A’s stock.

You are not given wrong information. You are given a partial market.

We work the other way round. We represent buyer or owner interests and are tied to no developer. Concretely: we will advise against a property that does not fit, and we will tell you how we are paid if you ask. Or before you ask.

What we do

For buyers

• Define the goal before the search: use, letting, capital growth, or residency
• Independent assessment of the property — service charges, letting history, developer record
• Registered comparable sales rather than portal averages
• A view on whether the asking price stands up
• Guidance through reservation, sales agreement, NOC and transfer at the DLD
• Coordination for remote purchase and power of attorney

For sellers

• Valuation based on actual completed sales in the same building
• Discreet, targeted marketing rather than blanket listing
• Access to international buyers
• Negotiation led by your interests
• Handling through to registered transfer

Second opinion

If you already have an offer in front of you, from any source, we will look at it and tell you what stands out. No mandate required.

What “independent” has to mean in practice

The word is easy to claim. These are the tests it should survive:

Disclosed remuneration. Where does the money come from? A straight answer is a good sign.

Stock from more than one developer. A single-developer shortlist is a sales channel, not advice.

Running costs volunteered. An agent who mentions service charges only when asked has not priced them into their thinking.

Willingness to say no. An agent who has never advised against a property is selling, not advising.

How to check any agent, including us

1. RERA registration: agents operating in Dubai require it. Ask for the number and verify it.
2. Ask how they are paid, and by whom.
3. Ask for service charges on a specific building, in writing, current and historic.
4. Ask for registered comparable sales, not portal averages.
5. Ask what they would advise against, and why.

Warning signs: promised yields, guaranteed appreciation, time pressure, requests for payment to private rather than escrow accounts.

What we do not do

• Promise yields
• Forecast appreciation
• Promise approvals — residency decisions rest with the UAE authorities
• Give tax or legal advice; we work alongside your own advisers
• Publish invented client testimonials

Frequently asked questions

What does an agent cost in Dubai?

Agency commission is usually around 2 per cent of the purchase price, typically borne by the buyer. On top come the DLD transfer fee of roughly 4 per cent and registration and administrative charges.

How do I choose a real estate agent in Dubai?

Ask five questions and listen to how they are answered: are you paid by the developer of this property, will you also show me other developers, what are this building’s service charges and how have they moved, may I see registered transactions from the same building, and what is your RERA registration number. An agent who is evasive on the first and third has already answered.

Do I need an agent at all?

Not legally. In practice, the value is not access to listings, which portals also provide, but the assessment: service charges, comparable sales, developer history, contract detail. If you can run that yourself, you can do without.

Do you work with smaller budgets?

Yes. With a constrained budget the advisory work matters more, not less, because the gap between the cheapest property and the genuinely least expensive one is widest there.

Can you represent me on a sale?

Yes. We value against registered transactions, market discreetly to qualified international buyers, and negotiate on your behalf through to transfer.

Do I have to travel to Dubai?

Not for the purchase itself; completion by power of attorney is routine. We do strongly advise that somebody has actually seen the property, whether that is you or an independent person you trust.

How does an engagement start?

With a conversation about your objective, free and without obligation. From there we propose a search area, assess specific properties and guide the transaction. You decide after each step whether it continues.