The Ultimate UAE Real Estate FAQ

Yes, foreign nationals and expats can legally buy property in the UAE within designated “Freehold” areas. In these zones, buyers hold 100% absolute ownership of both the property and the land it stands on. Casttio’s consultants specialize in mapping out the most profitable freehold zones across all 7 Emirates, matching international investors with legally compliant, high-yield assets.

Freehold grants you complete ownership of the property and land in perpetuity. Leasehold, however, only grants the right to use the property for a fixed period (usually up to 99 years) while the land remains owned by the freeholder.

We primarily focus on securing Freehold properties for our clients to guarantee generational wealth and absolute control over their investments.

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) fee is a mandatory government registration fee set at 4% of the property’s total purchase price, plus a small administration fee. It is typically paid entirely by the buyer. Thanks to our strong developer partnerships, Casttio frequently secures exclusive offers where developers waive 50% or even 100% of the DLD fees for our clients.

The UAE is globally renowned for being a tax haven for real estate. There are zero annual property taxes, zero capital gains taxes on resale, and zero taxes on rental income.

We leverage this tax-free environment by calculating your exact net Return on Investment (ROI), ensuring your wealth grows completely unhindered.

The UAE grants a 10-Year Renewable Golden Visa to property investors who purchase real estate valued at a minimum of AED 2 Million (approx. $545,000). The property can be residential or commercial.

Navigating visa regulations can be complex. Casttio provides end-to-end service—from selecting the exact properties that qualify for the Golden Visa to coordinating the application process for you and your family.

Yes, you can qualify for the Golden Visa by purchasing off-plan properties from approved local real estate developers, provided the total investment reaches the AED 2 Million threshold and specific payment milestones are met.

With 25 years of experience, Casttio recommends only top-tier, government-approved developers whose off-plan projects guarantee seamless Golden Visa processing.

Yes, once a property investor secures a UAE residency visa (like the 2-Year or 10-Year Golden Visa), they can legally sponsor their spouse, children, and in some cases, parents and domestic staff.

We don’t just find you a house; we help you build a home. We guide families toward properties that secure their residency while offering the best lifestyle amenities.

The UAE offers some of the highest rental yields in the world. Depending on the location and property type, gross rental yields typically range from 6% to 10% annually, outperforming cities like London or New York. Casttio doesn’t guess; we use historical data and market forecasting to pinpoint projects in Dubai, Sharjah, and RAK that consistently hit the 8-10% ROI mark.

Yes, non-resident foreign investors can obtain a mortgage from UAE banks. However, the Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio for non-residents is usually lower, meaning they typically need a down payment of at least 40% to 50%. Casttio’s financial advisory team helps non-residents bypass strict mortgage hurdles by securing flexible “Post-Handover Payment Plans” directly from developers, which are often interest-free.

Aside from the property price, buyers should budget for government registration fees (e.g., 4% DLD), agency fees (usually 2% for ready properties), NOC fees, and mortgage registration fees if applicable. Transparency is our core value. Casttio provides a comprehensive, upfront breakdown of every single fee before you sign a contract. Furthermore, we charge 0% agency commission on all off-plan developer properties.

Service charges are recurring annual fees paid by property owners to the building management for the maintenance of common areas, amenities, security, and cleaning. They are calculated per square foot.

When calculating your ROI, Casttio factors in exact service charges so you know your true net profit, ensuring there are no surprises after handover.

This is a developer incentive where the buyer pays a portion of the property price during construction, and the remaining balance is paid in installments over several years after receiving the keys.

This is where Casttio’s negotiation power shines. We secure extended post-handover plans for our clients, allowing them to rent out the unit and use the tenant’s money to pay off the remaining installments.

The UAE has one of the world’s most secure off-plan markets. By law, all investor payments must be deposited into a government-regulated “Escrow Account” and are strictly used for construction milestones.

Because our Chairman, Mr. Mohammed Shahat, is an experienced developer himself, Casttio vets every project’s construction viability and the developer’s financial health before we ever recommend it to you.

Yes, this is known as “flipping.” However, developers typically require you to have paid a certain percentage (usually 30% to 40%) of the total property value before they issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) allowing you to resell. Casttio specializes in short-term capital appreciation strategies. We advise investors on exactly when to resell their off-plan units to maximize profit before the final handover.

Real Estate Regulatory Authorities in the UAE strictly monitor project timelines. If delays occur, the developer’s funds remain locked in the Escrow account. In extreme cases, the government can assign the project to a new developer or refund investors.

We mitigate this risk entirely by exclusively partnering with Tier-1 developers who have a flawless 25-year track record of delivering projects on time or even ahead of schedule.

It depends on your goal. Dubai offers high luxury and rapid capital appreciation. Sharjah is emerging as a family-friendly hub with high ROIs, while Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is booming due to new hospitality and gaming resorts.

Unlike local brokers confined to one city, Casttio is a 7-Emirates specialist. We analyze the macro-UAE economy to diversify your portfolio across the most lucrative areas nationwide.

Sharjah recently updated its laws to allow foreign expats of all nationalities to buy freehold property. It offers larger living spaces at more competitive prices compared to neighboring Dubai, making it ideal for families.

Casttio was one of the first to capitalize on Sharjah’s legal shifts. We offer exclusive access to premium communities in Sharjah, balancing high rental yields with luxury family living.

RAK is currently experiencing massive real estate growth, driven by the upcoming multi-billion-dollar Wynn Resort. Property values and rental demand in RAK are skyrocketing.

Don’t wait until prices peak. Casttio’s analysts provide early-bird access to the most promising beachfront and resort developments in RAK for maximum capital gains.

No. The entire property purchasing process can be completed remotely. Buyers can sign documents digitally, transfer funds securely via bank transfer, and use a Power of Attorney (POA) if necessary.

We offer a premium “Virtual Investor” experience. From live video tours of the construction site to secure handling of your contracts, Casttio ensures a safe, seamless transaction from anywhere in the world.

After handover, the owner is responsible for property inspection (snagging), setting up utilities, furnishing (if applicable), and finding tenants.

Casttio is not a hit-and-run agency. Our post-sale asset management team handles everything—from professional snagging inspections to tenant placement and property management—so your investment generates passive income from day one.