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Buying vs. Renting a Property in Dubai – What should I Choose?
So, you have moved to Dubai, and being an expatriate, the biggest expense you have is the rent. And if you choose to live in Dubai – be ready to spend a significant portion of your salary on rent. Therefore, renting vs. buying has ever been a hot discussion but what the right decision is, depends upon several factors. Make a well-informed decision because the outcome will not just affect your lifestyle but decide your financial health in the long run.
Many pros and cons are associated with buying or renting a property in Dubai. With people moving to the UAE and property prices are relatively low, it seems like the best time to buy a property in Dubai. Moreover, developers keep sending out compelling messages such as “buying is better than renting”. However, many are still indecisive either due to uncertainty about their stay in this country, transaction procedure, or a lack of trustworthy real estate agents. Let’s get into it and help you reach a conclusion.
Things to factor in…
Dubai real estate boasts numerous lucrative investment opportunities but before jumping on the bandwagon, you must take a few factors into account. The major consideration is the duration of your stay in this country, if you are planning to stay for long, buying makes more sense than renting a property. After that, the biggest consideration is location, budget, and current market conditions.
Length of your stay in Dubai…
Before you start searching for properties for sale in Dubai, you must review your future plans. If you are here just for a couple of years, rental properties seem a better option. Renting offers flexibility and comes with the freedom to stay in any part of Dubai. And if you will go back to your country, all you need is to abide by the rental contract’s terms and conditions to vacate the property.
On the contrary, if you are there for more than five years, you should consider buying a property in Dubai, be it a villa or an apartment. A longer stay will help you rationalize your purchase and allows you to enjoy the stay peacefully.
What is your budget?
The next important consideration is the budget and your affordability. After COVID-19 induced pandemic, several economic sectors are badly hit and employees have to face pay-cut. However, if you have a stable job with a steady income and you intend to live for long in the UAE, the decision to buy a property can be favourable for you. Make sure you know the associated costs for buying a property such as, the expatriates have to pay (minimum 20% to 30%) down payment and the rest of the amount can be paid in instalments (in case, you buy directly from the developer) or can avail bank mortgage facility.
A majority of real estate experts suggest buying a property in Dubai instead of paying rent on monthly basis, as they consider it dead money. If you avail mortgage facility for long-term (such as 10, 15 or even 25 years), you will own a property in Dubai. It may feel like the monthly mortgage payments are not cheaper than rental payments but these payments are not going in vain. You will be a property owner in Dubai, at the end. Eventually, even if you plan to leave the UAE, you can rent it out and enjoy a steady secondary source of income for life.
Being an expatriate, if you are interested to make a real estate investment in Dubai, you can get a deeper insight by looking into a detailed guide for expatriates to buy a property in Dubai.
Buying vs. Renting
A few cons that are associated with buying a property in Dubai are that buying a property is a big financial burden, for which you may not be ready yet. Buying a property in a new country means you will have to be aware of every related cost and other expense to make a well-informed decision. If you buy a property and after a few years, you want to relocate to another part of Dubai, it will need proper planning about how to sell your property, when to sell it, and where to buy it again.
On the contrary, you are free to move anywhere and after exploring different places and knowing the local market, you can make a better decision. Rental properties also set you free from maintenance charges and other unexpected costs. Moreover, it takes lower initial costs to set up a home in a new country.
Which option should I choose?
Without knowing all about someone’s take-home income, expenses, and commitment level, it becomes an incredibly difficult question to answer. And when we look at the number of factors to consider before making a certain decision, this question cannot have the same answer for everyone. The best thing is to equip yourself with the best of the local market’s knowledge and related facts before bending towards a particular side.
Find a proficient real estate expert for you…
No one wants to spend years taking this decision, especially Dubai real estate market tends to offer lucrative investment opportunities and you will find every other person buying a property in Dubai. What we can suggest you is to find a competent and proficient real estate agent to help you make the right decision, after you do your due diligence. A reliable real estate agent must be trustworthy and have industry knowledge in order to gain your trust and lead you in the right direction.
Copperstones is the team of industry professionals that you are looking for, as the experts are there to listen to your concerns, understand your fears and be there till you close your investment deal. Whether you are a first-time property buyer or a seasoned investor planning to add something new to your portfolio, we are worth your time. We cannot just help you find your first property but we can also manage your portfolio on your behalf. Please call us at +44 203 888 5555 or leave your query at enquiries(at)copperstones(dotted)net, one of our experts will get back to you, as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
Whether you are planning to buy or rent a property in Dubai, the process can be arduous – but if you are aware of the market and ready to work with a reliable real estate agency, everything will turn out in your favour.
Please submit your enquiry and a member of our team will get in touch with you soon.