Buying directly from the developer sounds logical, but is it really?

When considering an off-plan property in Dubai, you might think that booking directly with the developer is the easiest option. However, there are compelling reasons not to do so. An independent real estate agent who represents multiple projects can often provide far superior advice compared to a sales representative from a specific developer.

Developers naturally only promote their own projects and will tell you why theirs are supposedly the best. They will rarely suggest an alternative, even if it is a better fit for your requirements. A good agent is familiar with multiple projects from various developers such as Emaar and DAMAC, and can therefore offer more objective advice.

An agent looks beyond the sale alone

The sales teams of developers often push the harder-to-sell units. They may claim these offer the highest return on investment (ROI), even when this is not the case. As a buyer, you then risk investing in a property that may prove difficult to rent out or sell later.

If you choose an experienced real estate agent, you will also benefit at the point of handover. They can assist with the renting or selling of your property and share responsibility for the success of your choice. The sales staff of developers are typically only involved up to the moment of purchase. They have little or no experience with the secondary market and therefore have less insight into what end-users truly value.

Finally, it is wise to be critical of the quality of the sales staff employed by developers. Many of them started out as agents but were not successful in that role. Working for a developer is often simpler, but that does not mean they can provide you with optimal advice. There are, of course, exceptions.

In a market like Dubai, with an abundance of new developments in areas such as Dubai Marina or Palm Jumeirah, it is therefore astute to work with an agent who has an overview of the entire market. This allows you to make a better-informed choice.