What is off-plan property?Off-plan property in Dubai refers to real estate sold during the construction phase, before the building is completed. Buyers purchase from the developer at a pre-launch or launch price, usually paying in installments tied to construction milestones.Off-plan purchases in Dubai are protected by RERA's escrow law, which requires developers to hold buyer funds in a ring-fenced account until construction milestones are met.Off-plan vs secondary: which is better?Off-plan offers lower entry prices, flexible payment plans, and potential capital appreciation during construction. Secondary market properties are ready to move into immediately with known finishes and rental income from day one.Understanding payment plans in DubaiCommon structures include 30/70 (30% during construction, 70% on handover), 40/60, and post-handover plans spread over 3–5 years after completion.RERA escrow protection explainedRERA requires all off-plan projects to register with the Dubai Land Department and maintain escrow accounts. Buyer payments go into these accounts and are released to developers only against verified construction progress.Oqood registrationOqood is the DLD system that registers off-plan sales before the title deed is issued. It protects your ownership rights during construction and is essential for resale before handover.Handover process step by stepBefore handover, review the snagging list, verify DEWA connection requirements, and ensure all milestone payments are documented. Conduct a thorough inspection before accepting keys.Common mistakes buyers makeBuying from unregistered developers, ignoring service charge estimates, not budgeting for DLD fees (4% transfer), and skipping snagging inspections are among the most costly errors.Is off-plan a good investment in 2025?Dubai's off-plan market remains active with strong transaction volumes. Focus on developer track record, location fundamentals, and payment plan structure rather than hype.How Katalystor helpsKatalystor provides end-to-end off-plan buying support — from project comparison and SPA review to milestone tracking and after-sale handover services.Explore on KatalystorBrowse this project and compare similar off-plan listings on Katalystor — payment plans, handover dates, developer profiles, and transparent pricing in one place. Use our ROI calculator and payment plan calculator to model your purchase before you commit.
