"I'm just looking": a guide to examining real estate in Dubai

"I'm just looking": a guide to examining real estate in Dubai

So you’ve decided to move to the United Arab Emirates and are going to purchase an apartment or a house in Dubai. Or perhaps, you’re looking for another more ideal housing solution, such as renting. Well, whatever you decide, you’ll most likely want to see the apartment (or house) first, including the rest of the property before making your final decision. After all, seeing the property with your own eyes will help you to make a more informed and appropriate decision. Especially, since the picture may differ from the reality. So what should one pay attention to when selecting an apartment (or house) in Dubai? Real estate agents recommend listening to your heart. So taking into consideration things such as whether you’ll feel at home or comfortable in your new space will help a lot in this matter. So in this article, we’ll be exploring all of this, as well as, taking a closer look at some tips for what to be on the lookout for when choosing a home in Dubai.

Contents:

A Real Estate Agency

Before exploring the real estate market, you should know that in the United Arab Emirates, especially in Dubai, there is a competitive housing market. This means that the property is popular and appeals to most potential buyers or tenants. So it would be good for you to have the contact information of a professional real estate agency on hand. This way, you can get in touch with the experts in this field as soon as possible. Plus, if you build a good business relationship with your real estate agent, you can be sure that you will always be kept informed and up to date on any new property developments in Dubai that meet your needs. So do the smart thing and show yourself to be a serious business customer. One who is decisive, ready, and knows exactly what he/she wants when it comes to purchasing an apartment (or house), especially since no one likes to waste time or be kept waiting.

«I'm just looking»: a guide to examining real estate in Dubai

Pay attention to the lighting

Many modern houses and apartments in Dubai are built with strikingly large windows. So when you go for your first viewing, you should try to schedule more than one viewing of the same property. For instance, go and see the apartment at different times of the day. This way, you can assess the natural lighting and the intensity of light coming into the house at different times throughout the day. The size of the windows and the amount of light they let into the room are also important factors to consider. Especially, since it involves a bit more work (and maybe even money) to change the size of the windows in the house (or apartment) after you have purchased it. Also, pay attention to which direction the building is facing. For example, houses oriented towards the east face the rising sun. So, the more natural light your home has, the less likely you are to turn on artificial light and the more you will save on electricity and money in return. Don’t forget to check exactly how the windows work in your house. Also, make sure that they open and close correctly.

Rooms and furnishings

If the apartment (or house) you are purchasing is not furnished, we advise you to remember all the room sizes so that you can purchase suitable furniture and such in the future. Alternatively, you could order a design project for your apartment (or house). While viewing the apartment, don’t forget to take a tape measure along and to always carry it with you. This way, you can find out how symmetrical the walls are. Especially, since evidence has previously indicated that the greater the symmetry is, the greater the illusion of space is. In addition to this, one should also pay attention to any built-in wardrobes in the bedrooms, as well as, any cabinets in the bathroom(s) and any type of closets or storerooms located under the staircase(s). This should be of particular interest to you as such spaces serve as additional storage places where one can “hide” or put away a lot of extra household items and other things.

Check the plumbing and water supply system

After visiting the apartment (or house), we advise you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Take a walk around the community and have a look at the other houses (or apartments) and take in the atmosphere. This will give you a chance to check on the plumbing and the water supply system as well. This is important, as it will give you an indication of the quality of the water. For instance, good quality water should be colorless and odorless, accompanied by heavy water pressure. If the water happens to be rusty, this may be an indication of poor water quality and that the pipeline is not working well. In addition to this, you should also check for mold and moisture while the water is running and whether the connection of the faucet or pipe is leaking. Otherwise, if you don’t make sure that the plumbing and water system are working properly, this can create serious repair problems for you in the future.

Noise level

If you’re looking to purchase any type of property in a high-rise urban building, you should be aware that that the upper floors offer one a much better choice at reducing the level of urban noise. So due to the location of the upper floors, the city noise turns into more of a uniform low hum. A nice bonus where this is concerned is the higher up the floor is, the more beautiful the view of the city is. It is also important to note that the maximum concentration of harmful substances in the atmosphere reaches up until about the 8th floor. As such, it’s better to choose apartments on the upper levels. What’s more, you should also take into consideration any other properties that are under construction nearby. The noise from the construction site will prevent you from getting enough sleep and enjoying the quiet during the day.

«I'm just looking»: a guide to examining real estate in Dubai

Location and infrastructure

After viewing the apartment (or house), we advise you to familiarize yourself with the rest of your surroundings. Take a walk around the community, have a look at some of the other houses, and take in the atmosphere. Talk to your neighbors and get to know them. Ask them questions about things that you are interested in. Take a look around and make sure that all the public services you need are readily accessible in order for you to lead a comfortable life.

For instance, are there any supermarkets, pharmacies, and/or a hospital nearby? Also, if you have children, it will be more convenient for you if the community has a school, kindergarten, and playgrounds nearby as well. Plus, nearby recreational facilities for relaxation for the whole family wouldn’t hurt either.

Alternatively, if you like to spend most of your leisure time away from home, it would be a good idea to make sure there are restaurants and sports clubs nearby. It’s also important to find out about parking and free parking spaces for your car. Although, if you prefer public transport, you need to find out if there are any public or subway transport stops near the community. What’s also imperative to remember is that if you cannot find and fulfill at least one of your requirements on your list of criteria for a comfortable life, we advise you to continue searching for the perfect home.

About money and price

Here are some key questions you should ask yourself:

  • How much is the rent and what is included in this amount?
  • Are there any building services or other features included in the rent?
  • What are the estimated operating costs of the property?
  • Can you afford the rent in addition to the deposit and current expenses?

Lease agreement

You should ensure that the landlord has drawn up a lease agreement and registered it. Plus, make sure that the contract is complete and discuss all the points of the contract in advance by going through each section individually. What’s more, the contract should include sections describing the rights and obligations of the parties involved, payment methods and amounts, lease terms, responsibility for non-compliance with the rules for both parties, and such. We also advise you to keep your signed copy of the lease agreement in a safe place. Furthermore, it’s best to carefully read through the contract and make sure that you understand it. This shouldn’t be an issue since real estate agents in the UAE usually help clients to draw up a lease agreement. So don’t be afraid to make use of their services and ask for help. This way, you will avoid potential problems moving forward – for yourself and all of the involved parties.

«I'm just looking»: a guide to examining real estate in Dubai

Emirates.Estate will help you choose your dream property in the UAE

If you’re looking for an agency to assist you in finding your ideal home, then look no further. Our agency specializes in offering you comprehensive real estate services. Our experts will be with you every step of the way from start to finish. So no matter what part of Dubai you choose to live in, we guarantee you’ll want for nothing and be living the good comfortable life you deserve. Whether your ideal home is a modest apartment or a luxury villa, we’re up to the challenge and ready to meet your every possible need. If you contact us right now, by this time tomorrow you’ll be having your first viewing for your dream home. And who knows, maybe you’ll be living your good comfortable life a lot sooner than you think.

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