Why
Versailles Palace Property Investments Co.?
Properties
What
is an Experience Tour?
Will
we be pressured?
What happens when we find a suitable property?
New
or Resale?
Currency Transfer
Is
it possible to get my pension paid in the UAE?
What
about schools for children?
What
about the language?
Can we get
medical care?
What about being resident in the UAE?
What about English Television in the UAE?
What happens after we have purchased?
Can I
take my pet to the UAE?
How can we look
at property?
Who can purchase a property in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Can I purchase anywhere in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
The Ownership Law
What does
freehold ownership mean?
Do I have to be physically present in the UAE to
purchase property?
Do I have to be resident in the UAE to purchase
property?
Are property owners eligible for residence visas in
the UAE?
Is there any Capital Gains Tax on the sale of the
property?
What is an
offshore company?
Why open an
offshore company?
Can I purchase using an offshore company?
Can a property be owned by an offshore company?
Can I put
the property in my will?
If I own the property in my own name, what happens to
that property upon my death?
Can I get
finance in the UAE?
What banks in the UAE are currently offering loans on
properties?
What mortgage facilities are available for
international investors?
Do I
need insurance for my mortgage?
What are the opportunities for rental yield and
capital growth?
Are there any taxes due when purchasing property in
the UAE?
Are there
any additional costs?
Why
purchase a property in Dubai?
Why
purchase a property in Abu Dhabi?
Is a solicitor needed to purchase a property?
How often do they paint the outside of the property?
Why
Versailles Palace Property Investments?
-
Independent promoters of UAE
& International developers.
-
Promoters of established
developers.
-
Over 500 resale properties
to choose from.
-
Over 300 different new
developments to choose from.
-
Properties from UAE &
Internationally.
-
All employees have lived in
the UAE for many years & some own property.
-
Personalized “one to one”
Experience Tours and Account Managers.
-
Independent Legal &
Financial advice.
-
Global Currency Exchange
Foreign Exchange facilities.
-
Agents for Pickford
International Removals and Crown Relocations.
-
We can organize the cheapest
possible flights.
-
Excellent after
sales service with your own personal guide.
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Properties
We
are an established company with a large portfolio of both new and resale
properties in the UAE and the Caribbean. With a selection of apartments,
townhouses, bungalows, villas and country homes to choose from. We also have
a specialist Commercial department for showrooms, office space, shops,
warehouses etc.
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What
is an Inspection Trip / Experience Tour?
We do
not like this term as it sounds like you will be driven around from dawn
till dusk viewing properties and never being allowed out of site from your
estate agent. We have changed the name to Experience Tour as we believe from
experience, that no two clients are the same and therefore we offer a
personalized viewing in an air conditioned vehicle with your own personal
representative from our company.
Viewing tours
Book Experience Tour
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Will we be pressured?
In a quick answer no. All we
ask of from our clients is honesty and integrity in being in a position to
proceed with the purchase should you find a suitable property At no time
will you feel under pressure, a representative from our company will liaise
with you whilst viewing the properties and give you his or her professional
opinion when asked on each property and give you time to rest and talk with
your partner about the properties you have seen. One thing you can be
assuring of is that you find these trips both informative and exciting.
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What happens when we find a
suitable property?
Although there is no obligation to purchase, if you find the suitable
property you will need a deposit of AED 5,,000 (£1,000) approximately
depending on the project to secure the purchase, this is called a
reservation contract.
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New
or Resale?
Both types of property
have their advantages it depends on your personal status as to which you
choose:
Resale:
o Established Area
o Move into your chosen property within 4/6 weeks
o Most properties come fully furnished and with other extras.
New:
o Choice of the best plots available
o You're the first owner of this property
o 10 years builders guarantee
o You have the chance to save your money during construction
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Currency Transfer
We
have a working partnership with Global Currency Foreign Exchange. With their
experience they can obtain the most competitive rates for transferring your
sterling into UAE Dirham’s or other currency and the facility of protecting
each transfer.
Please contact us for this information and we can arrange a meeting in your
chosen destination with one of their representatives.
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Is it possible to get my
pension paid in the UAE?
Transferring your pension to the UAE need not cost you a fortune every
month.
If
you use your bank to make the pension transfers overseas, it's likely that
you will pay much more than you need to in charges, commissions and the
currency exchange rate.
As
more and more people have chosen to retire overseas, the banking system is
set to gain from this migration. However, whether you have a state pension
or a private pension scheme, the taxation treatment of your money may be
different depending on the arrangement that the your local home tax office
has with your new homeland.
Relying on conversations with friends, who have already moved abroad, is
useful. But, take great care to get the right information from the tax
office.
Your
pension can be paid directly into your UAE bank account. You can contact the
DHSS office in the UK, Newcastle on 0044 1624 685069 who will provide you
with the relevant information. If you have a UK pension the tax is only
payable in the UK and not in the UAE.
Transfer with Foreign Currency
Exchange.
Now
that you have established what you are likely to receive from your pension
every month while living overseas, it is worth discussing your plans with a
foreign currency broker. Foreign Currency Exchange brokers can save you a
great deal of money when you are making regular monthly payments.
Do not rely on the good
nature of your originating bank to keep the expenses to a minimum and to
give you a the best rate of exchange as they wont , why not go to a
currency conversion specialist like Global Currency Exchange, who have a
simple system for making these monthly transfers?
You
instruct your bank to transfer the monthly pension payment to
fx-foreignexchange.
At the end of the month, the presiding rate of exchange is applied to the
pension amount and the money is converted into your destination currency.
The money is then transferred to the bank account in your new home country
without commission or transfer charges. Often, if Global Currency Exchange
has a bank account in your destination country, there won't be any receiving
charges either.
You
can forward purchase your currency every month to guarantee what you are
receiving every month.
The
service is very efficient and cost-effective.
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What about schools for children?
There
are numerous private schools for expatriate children throughout the United
Arab Emirates although they can be oversubscribed so it is wise to apply as
soon as possible. Schooling can be expensive (e.g. the High School at the
American Community School in Abu Dhabi is over 10,000 US dollars per
year/41,475 dirham’s per year). There is no Free State education for those
who are not UAE nationals.
In
addition to international schools a number of overseas colleges and
universities now offer part or full degree courses to expats living in the
UAE.
The
majority are managed by and run for English-speaking western expatriates,
although many local families choose to send their children to these schools,
perhaps in the belief that the tuition will be better and also because of
the international importance of the English language. There are schools for
the children of Americans, British, French, Germans, Egyptians, Indians,
Pakistanis, Filipinos, Japanese and many other nationalities, as well as
international schools catering for a variety of nationalities. The vast
majority of private schools teach in English, including the Indian and
Pakistani schools. Minority expatriate groups such as the Japanese, French
and Germans tend to send their children to international schools, at which
the main teaching language is English.
Some
private establishments restrict enrolment to pupils of the relevant
nationality, e.g. a British government-aided school. Others might have rules
concerning religion. International schools tend to have fewer restrictions.
Most
private schools are co-educational and provide tuition to children from
pre-school nursery groups through to university entrance examinations,
preparing them for a variety of examinations – often British A levels or the
International Baccalaureate, which can be taken in the Gulf. There are also
plenty of private pre-schools, including play groups, nurseries,
kindergartens and infant schools. These schools are voluntary, but widely
attended, partly because they allow expatriate mothers to socialize.
Restrictions on wives securing work visas mean that they can feel isolated
at home.
In
general, standards at private schools are high, with small class sizes and
modern facilities, but some parents find that their children have some
catching up to do when they return to their home country. Some schools
catering for pupils from India and Pakistan face heavy demand for places,
due to the large number of workers from those countries. There can be severe
overcrowding, pupils sometimes being taught in shifts.
Private foreign and international schools tend to have more relaxed,
flexible regimes and curricula and to be less formal in terms of dress,
behaviour and pupil/teacher relationships than their equivalents in Europe
and North America. Some see this as a good thing, others as a negative. A
drawback of private schools in the region is their high staff turnover. Like
other expatriates, teachers tend to change jobs and locations quite
frequently. This can lead to a lack of continuity in children’s education
and be a disruptive influence.
Structure
The
school structure varies between different types of school in Dubai, but
those catering for American, British, Indian and Pakistani pupils tend to be
either primary (for children aged 4 to 11) or secondary (11 to 18). Those
catering for children of other nationalities are usually divided into four
categories, as follows:
|
School Type |
Pupil Ages |
|
Pre-kindergarten &
Kindergarten |
3–6 |
|
Elementary
|
6–11 |
|
Secondary |
12–14 |
|
High |
15–18 |
Enrolment
Applications to private schools should be made as
early as possible, particularly to international schools, which sometimes
have waiting lists. You might need recent school reports or a previous head
teacher’s letter of appraisal. For UK and other western expatriates, the
British Council is a useful source of information about educational
establishments. Enrolment in private schools usually involves an interview
with parent and child, and might also involve an examination (only for the
child, you will be relieved to know!).
Hours & Holidays
There are many different types of school in Dubai,
offering different curricula to children of various cultural backgrounds,
and school hours and holidays vary accordingly, although a school day
running from around 8am to 2.30pm is common, from Saturday to Wednesday
inclusive. Some schools; particularly those catering for children of Asian
workers will operate from early morning to evening in two shifts.
Fees
The cost of private education can be high, but in
some cases the fees are paid by your employer as part of your contract. It’s
vitally important to be aware of the cost of private schooling over the
course of a child’s education, particularly if this will include university.
What might begin as a manageable expense can quickly become a major
financial encumbrance if there are regular increases in fees, as there often
are.
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What about the language?
The
official language is Arabic. Although English is widely understood and
spoken, and ranks alongside Arabic as the language of Commerce.
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Can we get medical care?
The government is overhauling medical care in
Abu Dhabi to provide a world class health service for all of its residents.
There has been increasing pressure on the city’s healthcare services,
primarily due to the unprecedented growth in the population.
The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HA-AD,
formerly GAHS) are looking to improve the quality of care and expand access
to all medical services by shifting from government facilities, and using
more private health providers. The first step was introducing mandatory
private medical insurance for foreign residents and their families, so, by
law, all employers have to provide health insurance for staff. In essence,
the only ’free’ medical care in Abu Dhabi is emergency treatment; everything
else needs to paid for or covered by insurance. You can still get treatment
in both government and private hospitals, but the fees will be similar
regardless of which type of hospital you choose.
The quality of medical care in the Emirates is high, and residents and
visitors should have little trouble getting appropriate treatment.
Dubai’s health services are internationally
recognized to be of good quality and comparable to other developed
countries. Hospitals, which boast of with their modern facilities, are
strategically located to ensure accessibility. There are about 20 clinics
and hospitals distributed across the Emirate. The ratio of clinics/hospitals
to patients is 1:78,000.
Dubai’s public health care is being run by the
Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS). It provides free or very
low cost medical services for UAE residents. There are also private health
care providers. Many of these practitioners are foreign health professionals
trained in their home countries. Most of them come from USA, India, Egypt,
Europe, and Pakistan. Their qualifications are carefully verified before
they can practice health care in Dubai.
In general, Dubai aims to improve the over-all
wellbeing of its people. Its strategy is to provide patient-specific care.
The most popular medical services provided by health care providers in Dubai
include: a) immunizations and vaccinations, b) psychiatric treatments, c)
medical fitness, d) community services such as marriage and family
counselling, e) adult and infant yoga therapy, f) rehabilitation, and g)
education on health and nutrition, among others.
One of the good practices of medical professionals
in Dubai is the post-clinic private medical calls, which is considered as
part of their responsibilities. Everyone is equally provided with
appropriate medical attention regardless of residency and nationality.
Normally, first diagnostic visit to a private
doctor costs £40 excluding other required medical examinations. Post-clinic
private consultations are charged higher than the regular clinic
consultations. Night-time calls may run up to more than £70. Doctors issue
receipts which the patients can reimburse to their insurance, if any.
Private Medical Insurance
Health care insurance is not compulsory for all employers. Foreign workers
may either obtain their own health insurance or apply for a health card
issued by the DOHMS. Public hospitals only accept foreign patients with
health cards but on an emergency basis only.
When
choosing private health insurance companies or health maintenance
organizations, the amount of cover, the health cases that can be covered,
and the general medical benefits that can be obtained by the insured should
be looked at.
Expatriates used to constitute about 75% of public hospitals patient burden.
Thus beginning 2001, medical services are no longer free to expatriates but
are still provided with high subsidies. Come 2004, only foreign patients
required for admission are accepted by public hospitals. Discount is only
provided to cover room rates but other services while in the hospital are
unsubsidized. However, life threatening emergency cases are provided free of
charge.
Public hospitals offer the most number of surgical procedures. However,
private health insurance in Dubai has no provision to allow procedures to be
done in public hospitals so they go to private health practitioners just to
avoid from personally paying for the procedure.
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What about being resident in UAE?
For
individuals planning to live in the United Arab Emirates, you have to obtain
a residence visa, which is also referred to as an employment visa. A
residence visa will be issued by the Immigration department of the emirate
you will be staying in and provided to you by your sponsor (the company or
person you are working for). If you have entered the country on a visit
visa, you can transfer to a residence visa by either re-enter the country or
else make the transfer at the Immigration department.
If
you are coming to the UAE with family members, you should obtain a family
visa, which will allow you to sponsor your parents, spouse, daughters, and
sons under the age of 18. Family visas are only possible if you earn more
than AED. 4,000 (US$ 1,100) a month.
Residence visas are normally issued for 3-years and in order for it to be
processed, you will need to take a medical test and obtain a health card.
Individuals who test positive for AIDS will not be permitted to obtain a
residence visa. A health card costs around Dhs. 300 (US$ 82) and should be
renewed yearly. It can be issued at the Ministry of Health or else at a
recognized private hospital.
Overstaying
A penalty charge of AED 25 (US$ 7) - AED 100 (US$ 28) per day is imposed on
visitors who overstay. If the overstay extends to a significant amount of
time, then a court hearing is issued and the judge will decide what
penalties will occur.
Issuing Authority
The Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) is the sole
administrative authority of the Ministry of Interior that deals with issuing
visas to foreigners visiting the country.
Note: We would recommend that after you finish reading this page and you
also contact the UAE embassy or consulate in your country, as visa issues
may have changed. Links to online UAE embassies and contact details of many
UAE consulates have been included on the right.
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What about English
Television in the UAE?
This
is very easy. You can subscribe to either Showtime
http://www.showtimearabia.com or Orbit
http://www.orbit.net.
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What happens after we have
purchased?
VPPI
can offer you peace of mind after the purchase of your property in the UAE.
Our commitment is to be with you every step of the way through your purchase
as if we ourselves were purchasing the property. We will assist you with
finding your furniture (or removal company), alarms, satellite TV, pet
travel, financial requirements etc. Basically we are your one stop as we are
working with you today so you can enjoy with your family tomorrow as we can
help you with almost anything you require.
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Can I take my pet to the UAE?
You
will need a pet passport. You will need to ask your vet to apply for this,
your pet must be micro-chipped, take a blood test and have the inoculations
for rabies etc approx. 6weeks before departure to the UAE. We can also put
you in touch with some companies who specialize in pet travel so you do not
need to leave your loved one/s at home. Please contact us for further
assistance +97150 220 2313.
Vaccinations &
Paperwork required
For example: In the UK the
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, Telephone + 44 8459 33 44 77 has
information on importing animals to most countries including the UAE. The
UAE Embassy also provides information.
To import a dog/ cat to
Dubai you need an import permit. The UAE Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries issues this document. The following fax copies are required:
·
Copy of owner’s passport
·
Copy of UAE residency visa or offer of employment letter
·
Copy of vaccination card (rabies must be less than 12 months
and more than 30 days)
·
Credit card number or other guarantee of payment
It takes 2 to 3 days for
your permit application to be processed. You also need:
·
An export certificate issued by, in the UK, the Department for
Environment Food and Rural Affairs “DEFRA” (your vet can apply for this)
·
Your dog must be examined by a vet recognized by DEFRA within
48 hours of departure
·
You must sign a declaration stating that you have not imported
the dog into the UK less than 6 months prior to departure.
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How can we look at property?
VPPI viewing tours
are tailor made to your requirements.
You tell us your basic
requirements and we will find the appropriate properties for you that are
within your budget! Once you have decided to come to the UAE we can make all
the arrangements for you. When you arrive at the destination airport we will
meet you and take you to either a hotel or private accommodation depending
on the duration of your stay. On your trip we will introduce you to the new
developments or resale properties available that match your requirements.
However you will find no pressure from VPPI and we give all clients a
complete and personal service to find the property that matches your
requirements and are willing to advise you on all positive and negative
aspects of every property. We do not see it appropriate to pressure you into
buying a property that you are not completely satisfied with. Although you
are under no obligation to purchase we do not want clients using one of
these tours for any other reason or you will be held in breach of contract
and are liable to pay the full cost of the inspection tour.
These viewing trips are 100% pressure free!
Includes airport collection (in the UAE) & accommodation!
At Versailles Palace Property Investments we welcome you to the UAE as we
are working with you today so you can enjoy with your family tomorrow!
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Who can purchase a property in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Any
investor, overseas or resident, can purchase in Dubai’s / Abu Dhabi’s luxury
freehold property developments.
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Can I purchase anywhere in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Non
UAE nationals can only buy in areas designated specifically for expatriate
freehold and leasehold sales.
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The Ownership Law
The
Ownership Law extends property ownership to both GCC nationals and other
foreigners –albeit in “Investment Areas” known as Designated Freehold Areas
in Dubai. Ownership in all other areas of Abu Dhabi is still restricted to
UAE nationals. Some investment areas for overseas buyers include Al Raha
Beach, Reem Island and Saadiyat Island.
The
Ownership Law permits GCC Nationals to own both land and buildings within
these Investment Areas on a freehold basis. Other foreigners are permitted
to own buildings and/or floors within buildings in the Investment Areas on a
freehold basis but have no freehold ownership rights to the underlying land.
Instead, foreigners can enjoy 99 year leases of already built up land,
(known as usufruct leases) and 50 year development leases (known as
musatahah leases,) which allow lessees to build up and enjoy undeveloped
land. Under the Ownership Law, both usufruct and musatahah leases maybe for
like periods of time upon agreement between the parties.
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What
does freehold ownership mean?
The
owner of a freehold title of real estate enjoys the most superior form of
private ownership. A freeholder is considered to be the absolute owner of
the land and buildings comprised in his title; he has the right to occupy,
use and enjoy his property forever ("in perpetuity") or until he transfers
the title to a new owner, and his heirs are entitled to inherit his title
upon his death. Nevertheless, a freeholder does not have total freedom to do
what he wishes on his land.
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Does one have to be physically present in the UAE to buy a property here?
It is possible for the prospective purchaser to give Power of
Attorney to a person to handle all the aspects of the purchase on their
behalf. It is not necessary that one has to be present in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
to conclude the deal. But it is advisable that they check all the
documentation and ensure that everything is clear before signing the deal.
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Do I have
to be resident in the UAE to purchase property?
No.
You don't need to be a resident to purchase a property in the UAE.
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Are property owners eligible for residence visas in the UAE?
New
Dubai property owners and their immediate family are granted applications
for residence visas in accordance with the latest immigration regulations.
Please note, only the government of UAE can issue visas not a developer or
estate agent.
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Is there any Capital Gains Tax on the sale of the property?
No.
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What is an
offshore company?
An
offshore company is a business entity that is formulated in a low tax or tax
jurisdiction for the purposes of legally minimizing any type of tax payment
and improving your wealth management. "A wealth management tool that can be
utilized by anyone legally and legitimately."
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Why open an
offshore company?
Primarily one would open an offshore company to gain confidentiality over
their financial affairs and grow wealth without intrusion. Offshore
companies can eliminate or minimize many types of tax payments such as:
Capital Gain Tax, Death Duty, profits on business earnings and property
sales. An offshore company legitimately assists you in gaining
confidentiality over your financial affairs and growing your wealth.
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Can I purchase using an offshore company?
This
is certainly possible, and using a Dubai offshore company can also be
explored.
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Can a property be
owned by an offshore company?
Yes.
It is not uncommon that offshore companies are used as property-owning
vehicles for property in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Dubai has recently introduced
regulations that allow offshore companies to be set up in two distinct "free
zones". These free zones have broadly similar regulations that permit
offshore companies to own property in designated or approved developments.
Set-up costs (of a few thousand dollars) and annual renewal costs (of a few
hundred dollars) are relatively low although there are several restrictions
on what these companies can do in Dubai. The regulations require a
Registered Agent to be in Dubai and several firms of lawyers and accountants
are registered to act as such.
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Can I
put the property in my Will?
Yes,
but if you are looking to ensure the property passes directly to your
spouse, be aware that wills are not recognized under local Shariah Law. It
might be worth considering some form of offshore structure to purchase the
property so that it passes within your estate encumbered.
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If I own the property in my own name, what happens to that
property upon my death?
When
buying in Dubai, in the event if death, the property does not necessarily
pass to the wife since the Sharia Law (the governing law of UAE) determines
otherwise, as laid down in the Quran. In order to ensure the property passes
on to those you wish, an offshore company can be established with the
spouses as Directors. In the event of their demise the shares of company are
passed on to the surviving spouse and beneficiaries. Although the spouse has
died, the offshore company has not; thereby an internal transfer of shares
circumvents this potential Sharia hiccup.
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Can I get
finance in the UAE?
Yes
if you are a resident, but terms differ between the limited numbers of local
lenders. However finance can be arranged through overseas lenders if you
have assets overseas too. Many property investors with assets overseas
(property, income, investments) have taken advantage of favorable
international interest rates. For example, someone with property in UK may
be able to release equity to a maximum of 80% of the value of their property
(less any outstanding mortgage), to finance all or part of their property
purchase in Dubai. Interest rates can be secured as low as 3.5% n sterling
terms as opposed to 6.5% in Dirham’s locally.
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What banks in the UAE are currently offering loan on properties bought
off-plan?
The
banks currently offering loans are Mational Bank of Abu Dhabi, Standard
Chartered Bank, Barkleys Bank, Emirates Bank, Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi
Commecrcial Bank, HSBC, Amlak, Dubai Islamic Bank, Rak Bank, Mashreq
Bank and Tamweel.
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What mortgage facilities are available for international investors?
There
are various mortgage options available in the U.A.E, however, the options
are not as attractive and widespread as those available internationally.
Overseas banks do not provide lending facilities towards UAE properties
directly; therefore one must resort to local lenders. However, finance
through overseas lenders can be arranged with favorable international
interest rates, if one has assets overseas. Another form of finance is by
having an investment portfolio, which is used as a security to obtain a
loan. The last resort is to go for the local UAE banks.
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Do I
need insurance for my Mortgage?
Most
lenders (banks and building societies) will require some form of protection
for the loan. This makes sense since you want your property paid off in the
event of your death or diagnose of a serious/terminal illness. Banks on the
hole do not like repossessing property and would prefer the loan to be
repaid from an insurance policy should a serious event occur. Seeking the
right insurance is important since it comes in many forms. Whole of Life,
term and Endowment policies are all widely available in the UAE. Get advice
on how to determine which one is right for you. Similarly, it pays to use a
broker since they normally secure terms well below that which is offered
directly by most banks.
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What are the opportunities for rental yield and capital growth?
In
the rental market, there are issues of over-supply, and as far as capital
appreciation is concerned, there is concern over build-quality and
built-duration. Neither of these considerations should be over-looked when
considering the investment potential. Certainly, at the flagship Palm
Jumeirah development there is a healthy re-sale market achieving massive
premiums of up to 800%. This is not representative of the Dubai market as a
whole and to a large extent reflects the unique status that Palm Jumeirah
enjoys worldwide. Having stated that, real estate experts believe that
rental yields and the prospects of capital growth are excellent in Dubai
property market.
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Are
there any taxes due when purchasing property in the UAE?
The
cost of a standard property purchase in UAE;
·
There is no income tax or capital gains tax on property sales
or rentals in the UAE.
·
2% to 4% stamp duty is payable on property purchases in the
UAE.
·
A 1.5% land registry fee is also payable on completion.
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Are there any
additional costs?
Other purchasing costs may include a transfer fee to the developer of re
sale properties. This is usually between 1% and 2% (depending upon the
development) of the original sale price. The other cost would be for the
Real Estate Broker which is typically 2% of the purchase / resale price ,
this commission should be payable on the completion of the sale.
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Why Purchase a
Property in Dubai?
Dubai
has a record for strong economic growth which provides a haven for
investors. With the presence of free-trade zones, rising tourism and a GDP
that increases an average of 7.5% per year, there are countless reasons for
an entrepreneur or an investor to consider Dubai. By contrast Western
economies consider their growth to be strong at 2%. With expected population
growth, and investment increasing in the property market, Dubai continues to
represent a strong opportunity even with the massive amount of development
taking place in Dubai.
-
Tax free
society. Individuals earn tax free salaries enabling to support house
prices.
-
There is an
exceptionally high demand for freehold property.
-
Property in
Dubai is cheaper to purchase than other international countries and
rental earnings are high.
-
Excellent
quality of life, providing a safe and clean environment.
-
Fastest
growing tourist destination.
-
Regions
leading financial centre, IT centre, Media centre and Transportation
hub.
-
Ultra-modern
infrastructure.
-
Political
stability.
-
Secure with
a virtual low crime rate environment.
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Cosmopolitan
life style providing world-class entertainment events, international
golf, horse racing, tennis, themed hotels, shopping malls, outdoor
adventures, and more...
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Diverse
Society. There are approximately 200 different nationalities living in
the city.
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Great
location - Dubai is situated on the tranquil Gulf coast, with beautiful
natural desert and mountain landscape.
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Sunny and
warm weather all year around.
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Why Purchase a
Property in Abu Dhabi?
Abu
Dhabi is the Capital of the UAE, and the largest of the seven Emirates,
constituting over 85% of the nation's total land area. Abu Dhabi possesses
10% of the world's oil 5% of its gas reserves, and produces 90% of oil in
the U.A.E. The generated income has been purposely invested to create a
first class infrastructure and flourishing modern metropolis. The city is a
unique mix of traditional Arabian charm and cosmopolitan sophistication.
Combined with its beautiful beaches, fantastic shopping and top
international resorts Abu Dhabi City an ideal place to live, work or visit.
Statistics
With a
population of 1,600,000 and a land area of 67,000 square kilometers, Abu
Dhabi is the largest as well as the most populated of all the Emirates.
Stretching south to the beautiful green oases of Liwa lies some of the
world’s largest sand dunes and to the east is the ancient oasis of Its sandy
coastline is dotted with over 200 islands and is gently lapped by the azure
waters of the Arabian Gulf. The Emirate was once the world's best site for
pearling and its rich seafaring tradition continues today with a myriad of
water-sports activities available from sailing on a
traditional dhow to diving and deep sea fishing. Abu Dhabi is 160 kms south
of Dubai, the second major city of the UAE, and is easily accessible by car
or plane.
Abu Dhabi is closely following Dubai’s recent
example, but with a few strong exceptions that are making Abu Dhabi look by
far the better investment prospect:
Culture. Abu
Dhabi already has satellites of the Louvre and the Guggenheim museum with
more cultural attractions planned, including a Formula 1 race track complex
that dwarfs the Dubai track.
Slower growth.
Rather than rushing headlong into massive growth explosions, Abu Dhabi is
taking a slower, more sustainable approach to growth, thus avoiding
instances, particularly when several developments come on-line at the same
time, where supply outstrips demand. Dubai is already showing signs of a
glut of office space, yet development continues unchecked.
Timing. Dubai
has already been through a major property value upswing and Abu Dhabi’s is
only just beginning. Potentially with even greater rewards.
Taxes. While
both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are tax free, Dubai’s oil supply is predicted to
run out in the near future and there is already talk of introducing income
and property taxes.
Proper development planning.
The Abu Dhabi authorities are determined not to make the mistakes made in
Dubai.
Build Oil supply.
Abu Dhabi’s oil supply is considered to be the world’s fourth largest supply
and constitutes 90% of the UAE’s oil reserves with 98 giga barrels,
predicted to last at least 100 years.
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Rental incomes. Due to the slow
growth rate, and a large imported labour force, demand for rental
properties exceeds the supply and incomes are high compared to Dubai.
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Lifestyle. Abu Dhabi has far more
coastline than Dubai and much of the recent development is along the
waterfront, creating a Mediterranean-like feel.
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Internal investments. Much of the
income into Dubai has fled the country, but Abu Dhabi is determined to
invest in herself, with a new trade center valued at $95 million and a
bridge to Saadiyat Island costing more than $150 million.
There is no doubt that Abu Dhabi has a bright
economic future. With a century of oil reserves, a modern infrastructure and
a stable political system, no significant overseas debt and secure,
sustainable growth planned. Abu Dhabi is the economic center of the United
Arab Emirates and fully expects to become a world showcase for planned
growth in the near future. Most importantly, they have learned from mistakes
made in the past.
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Is a solicitor needed to
purchase a property?
There
is no need for a lawyer, but it is advisable to consult with one prior to
purchasing any property from Developers or if buying property from second
hand market. You generally do not need a lawyer if you are buying from
developers such as Dubai Properties, Emaar, Damac, Nakheel, etc.
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How often
do they paint the outside of the property?
Normally Landlords should paint once in three
years.
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page