10 years of property expertise in DubaiThe most prestigious developers in the UAEA team of around twenty advisors0% tax on rental income · net yield up to 8%10-year Golden Visa for investorsAdvisory in your language — from selection to handover10 years of property expertise in DubaiThe most prestigious developers in the UAEA team of around twenty advisors0% tax on rental income · net yield up to 8%10-year Golden Visa for investorsAdvisory in your language — from selection to handover
WhatsApp
●Transaction & purchase

Off-plan

In short

Off-plan refers to buying a property before completion, directly from the developer, with payments staged across construction and after handover.

Buying off-plan offers a lower entry ticket (often 10-20% at reservation) and staged payment plans (e.g. 60% during construction, 40% at handover, or post-handover plans). Buyer funds flow through a RERA-controlled escrow account that releases tranches to the developer only as construction progresses.

The contract is registered at the DLD via Oqood. The main risk — delay or cancellation — is framed by law (Law No. 8 of 2007 on escrow accounts).

●In practice with Level8

Level8 selects off-plan through the developer / payment plan / area trio: delivery track record verified, escrow checked, instalments sustainable without a mortgage. At launch we negotiate what brochures don't show — DLD fee waivers, post-handover plans, unit picks before public opening.

Key takeaways
  • Staged payment: 10-20% at booking, then construction-linked instalments
  • Funds sit in a RERA escrow account — released against actual progress
  • Launch price below delivered price: appreciation builds during construction
  • Resale possible before handover (assignment), usually after 30-40% paid
Worked example

On an AED 1M off-plan 1-bed with a 10/50/40 plan: AED 100,000 at booking, AED 500,000 in construction-linked milestones (paid into the project's RERA escrow), and AED 400,000 at handover. Capital spreads over 2-3 years while the property gains value.

Sources: Dubai Land Department — RERA · Updated 2026-06-23

●FAQ

Frequently asked questions

A question about "Off-plan" applied to your project? Ask our team on WhatsApp — answered in under 5 minutes during the day.

Ask my question
The risk is framed: payments flow through a RERA escrow released against progress, and the contract is registered at the DLD via Oqood.
Typically 10-20% at reservation, then construction-linked milestones — sometimes completed by a post-handover plan after delivery.
Yes (an "assignment" resale), once a developer-set percentage of the price is paid. The resale registers at the DLD and transfers the Oqood to the new buyer.
The target handover date sits in the SPA and your instalments stay locked in the RERA escrow account, released against actual construction progress. On prolonged delays the contract provides remedies and RERA can step in — which is why a proven delivery track record is our first selection criterion.
●Related terms
Legal & registries

RERA escrow account

A RERA escrow account is a dedicated, supervised bank account through which off-plan payments flow; funds are released to the developer only as construction progresses.

Read the definition →Legal & registries

Oqood

Oqood is the official registration of an off-plan sale contract with the DLD, establishing the buyer's right to the property before the final title deed is issued at handover.

Read the definition →Legal & registries

DLD (Dubai Land Department)

The DLD (Dubai Land Department) is Dubai's land authority: it registers all property transactions, issues title deeds and publishes the official market data.

Read the definition →Visa & residence

Golden Visa

The Golden Visa is a long-term UAE residence permit (5 or 10 years, renewable) granted notably to real-estate investors who own property worth at least AED 2,000,000.

Read the definition →
Dubai — skyline
●Investing on clear ground

Clear terms, safer decisions.

Freehold, escrow, Oqood, Golden Visa: Level8 turns the UAE framework into concrete decisions — and guides you from first call to handover.

Full glossaryDubai areasBuy in DubaiInvest from your countryTalk to an advisor
WhatsApp