The Real Cost of Buying Property in Dubai: A Guide for Off-Plan Buyers

September 22, 2026
Dubai continues to attract property buyers from around the world, supported by a regulated real estate market, strong infrastructure, and a wide range of residential investment opportunities.
For buyers considering an off-plan property, however, the advertised purchase price is only one part of the financial picture.
Government registration charges, developer administration fees, payment-plan milestones, and ongoing service charges should all be considered before committing to a purchase.
Understanding these costs from the beginning allows buyers to plan their capital more accurately and approach the purchasing process with greater clarity.
For buyers considering Nexara Tower by 7th Key Development, here is what to know.
Understanding the 4% DLD Registration Fee
One of the most important costs associated with purchasing property in Dubai is the registration fee payable to the Dubai Land Department.
The total property sale registration fee is equivalent to 4% of the sale value.
For Nexara Tower, the current payment structure requires the purchaser to pay the 4% DLD fee alongside the initial down payment.
For example, on a property priced at AED 1,000,000:
Property value: AED 1,000,000
4% DLD fee: AED 40,000
This amount should therefore be included when calculating the capital required at the beginning of the purchase.
How Off-Plan Registration Works
Off-plan properties follow a different registration process from completed properties.
For Nexara Tower, the customer journey progresses from initial reservation through to the Sales and Purchase Agreement and subsequent Oqood registration.
The current Nexara sales process is:
1. Customer Verification
All customers complete the Customer Information Form and KYC verification before payment.
2. Expression of Interest
Following KYC approval, the customer signs the EOI and pays AED 30,000 to reserve the selected unit.
3. Booking
Within the specified booking period, the buyer pays:
20% down payment + 4% DLD fee + AED 3,540 administration fee
4. Sales and Purchase Agreement
Once the booking payment and signed Booking Form are received, the SPA is issued for execution.
5. Oqood
Under the current Nexara sales guidelines, Oqood is issued within 60 business days from SPA execution.
This creates a clear sequence from initial reservation through to formal off-plan registration.
What Should a Nexara Buyer Budget Upfront?
Rather than looking only at the unit price, buyers should calculate the immediate cash requirement associated with securing the property.
For Nexara, the initial financial commitment consists primarily of:
AED 30,000 EOI
20% down payment
4% DLD fee
AED 3,540 administration fee
The AED 30,000 EOI forms part of the reservation process, with the applicable refund conditions set out in the sales guidelines.
This is particularly important when comparing different properties. Two developments may have similar advertised prices but require very different amounts of capital during the early stages of the purchase.
Flexible Payment Plans at Nexara Tower
The purchase price does not necessarily need to be settled in one transaction.
Nexara Tower currently offers two structured payment-plan options designed to distribute payments across different stages of the development.
50/50 Handover Plan
Down Payment: 20% + 4% DLD
During Construction: 30% across six instalments
On Handover: 50%
60/40 Post-Handover Plan
Down Payment: 20% + 4% DLD
During Construction: 30% across six instalments
On Completion: 10%
Post-Handover: 40% across ten instalments
The project is currently scheduled for an estimated completion in Q4 2027.
For buyers, the difference between the two plans comes down to how they prefer to allocate capital before and after completion.
Annual Service Charges
The acquisition cost is only one part of property ownership.
Owners should also account for annual service charges, which contribute towards the management and maintenance of the building and its shared facilities.
These may cover:
Common areas
Building security
Elevators
Swimming pools
Fitness facilities
Landscaping
ETC
For Nexara Tower, the current indicative service charge is approximately AED 14–16 per sq ft.
Because this figure is indicative, the final applicable service charge may vary.
For an investor, this cost is particularly important when calculating the property's potential net rental return rather than looking only at gross rent.
Understanding Nexara's Rental Yield Estimates
The Nexara Investor Guide currently provides indicative rental scenarios based on JVC market assumptions.
For a 1-bedroom residence:
Indicative unit size: 700 sq ft
Indicative rental rate: AED 143 per sq ft annually
Estimated annual rent: AED 100,100
Illustrative purchase price: AED 1,050,000
Indicative gross rental yield: approximately 9.5%
For a 2-bedroom residence:
Indicative unit size: 1,272 sq ft
Indicative rental rate: AED 126 per sq ft annually
Estimated annual rent: AED 160,272
Illustrative purchase price: AED 1,700,000
Indicative gross rental yield: approximately 9.4%
These figures should be treated as illustrative rather than guaranteed, as rental rates, property values, and market conditions can change over time.
Actual net returns would also need to account for service charges and other ownership expenses.
Could a Property Purchase Qualify for Golden Residency?
Property ownership may also form part of a buyer's longer-term residency planning.
Qualifying real estate investors may be eligible for a 10-year Golden Residency where the applicable investment and eligibility requirements are met.
Property investors considering residency as part of their purchase decision should confirm their individual eligibility and the latest requirements with the relevant UAE authorities before relying on the property transaction for visa purposes.
Why the Total Acquisition Cost Matters
A strong property decision starts with understanding more than the headline price.
For an off-plan buyer, the key questions are:
How much capital is required today, how much will be required during construction, and what costs will continue after handover?
With Nexara Tower, these elements are structured across the reservation, booking, construction, and post-handover stages.
Located in JVC District 11, Nexara Tower is a 40-storey development by 7th Key Development designed around contemporary urban living, with 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom residences, smart-home-enabled living spaces, and a curated collection of lifestyle amenities.
The project also supports real-time crypto payment acceptance, providing buyers with additional payment flexibility.
Plan Your Nexara Purchase With Clarity
Property ownership should begin with a clear understanding of the numbers.
Before reserving a unit, buyers should consider the purchase price together with the 20% initial payment, 4% DLD registration fee, applicable administration costs, future instalments, and estimated ongoing service charges.
7th Key Development provides a structured purchasing process designed to give buyers visibility over each stage, from initial KYC and reservation through to SPA execution and Oqood registration.
Explore Nexara Tower and speak with the 7th Key team to review available residences, current pricing, and payment-plan options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the DLD fee when buying property in Dubai?
The total DLD property sale registration fee is 4% of the sale value.
For Nexara Tower, the purchaser's current payment schedule requires payment of the 4% DLD fee together with the initial down payment.
How much is the down payment for Nexara Tower?
The current Nexara payment plans require a 20% down payment plus the 4% DLD fee.
Is there an administration fee for Nexara?
Yes. The current Nexara sales guideline specifies an AED 3,540 administration fee at the booking stage.
When is Oqood issued for Nexara Tower?
Under the current Nexara sales procedure, Oqood is issued within 60 business days from execution of the SPA.
What are the estimated service charges at Nexara Tower?
The current indicative service charge is approximately AED 14–16 per sq ft. Actual charges may vary.
Can a Dubai property qualify an investor for Golden Residency?
Qualifying property investors may be eligible for the UAE's 10-year Golden Residency, subject to the applicable investment threshold, eligibility criteria, and authority approval.
Can Nexara Tower be purchased using cryptocurrency?
Yes. Nexara Tower currently supports real-time crypto payment acceptance.




