Buying in Dubai without getting on a plane

A good share of Dubai purchases are made by people who have never stood in the unit. In designated freehold areas any nationality can own outright, with no residency requirement and no local partner, and the transfer can be handled by power of attorney.

What actually changes

The mechanics are the same. What changes is how much you have to trust the person on the ground, because you cannot check anything yourself. That is worth being blunt about: the single biggest risk in a remote purchase is not the paperwork, it is being shown a flattering version of the property.

• Video walkthroughs recorded live, not edited — you direct where the camera goes
• Photographs of what the brochure leaves out: the service corridor, the view from the actual floor, the car park
• A written weekly update whether or not there is news
• Independent valuation before the offer, not after

Mortgages

Non-residents can borrow, though terms are tighter — typically 50 to 60 percent of value against 80 percent for residents, over shorter terms. Approvals take longer from abroad, so start the conversation before you find the property rather than after.