THE DSS GUIDE
Your property project, step by step.
From your first idea to managing the property, get the information you need to prepare an international real estate investment. We start with the United Arab Emirates, the market where DSS supports clients today.
The method, through a real case.
Salimou analyses a property project in Dubai Islands. Watch this full case study, then use the seven steps in this guide to prepare your own project.
Case study · Full video, about 29 min · In French
STEP 01
Your goal comes before the property.
A home, rental income or a future resale? The same apartment may not meet all three goals. Define your time horizon, the time you can devote to the property and the constraints that matter to you.
Prepare your available budget, intended holding period, income needs and the people involved in the decision.
STEP 02
Choose a market, then a location.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain each have their own neighbourhoods, practices and authorities. Compare access, services, rental demand and competing supply at neighbourhood level.
Compare genuinely similar properties, their condition, size, charges and location. A launch image alone is not enough to assess a market.
STEP 03
Off-plan and resale follow different paths.
With off-plan property, you assess a development and a unit before handover. The payment schedule, progress and contract conditions matter. With resale, you examine an existing property: its title, condition, occupancy and transfer arrangements.
Distress Deals are an exclusive selection within Resale. Any advertised discount must be assessed against comparable properties, costs and the constraints of the transaction.
STEP 04
Look at the total cost, not just the price.
Build a budget that separates the property price, acquisition costs, any financing, currency exchange, service charges, furnishing and running costs. Include a reserve suited to unexpected expenses and periods without a tenant.
For a rental, compare estimated income with expenses and vacancy. For a resale, examine exit costs and different selling periods. Make the assumptions explicit.
STEP 05
Check the documents before committing.
Request the property documents, the identity of the parties and the full terms. In Dubai, the Dubai Land Department offers services to verify title deeds and project status. For an off-plan purchase, also check the project registration and its escrow account.
In Abu Dhabi, ADREC publishes the procedures for registering projects and their escrow accounts. Procedures depend on the emirate, so use the authority responsible for the property you are considering.
STEP 06
Keep contracts and payments connected.
Have the reservation conditions, contract, deadlines, obligations and exit terms explained. Confirm payment recipients and keep the documents, receipts and references for your transaction.
Before each stage, check what you are signing, what you are paying, who receives the funds and which evidence you will receive. Have a qualified professional review legal or tax matters specific to your circumstances.
STEP 07
Prepare for ownership after the purchase.
At handover, inspect the property and record any issues to be addressed. If you plan to rent it out, choose how it will be managed, prepare the operating costs and organise the ongoing care of the tenant and property.
Keep a simple record of rent received, charges, works, vacant periods and documents. Reassess your strategy using actual data, beyond the initial projection.
Turn your questions into a clear project.
Have a goal, a question about a property or several options to compare? Share your criteria with DSS. We help you identify the information you need and the next step for your project.
Your project, after the guide.
Share your criteria and the questions you would like to explore with DSS.