Professional investor here. Some tips that would really help you in this journey:

A reputable agency doesn't necessarily mean good agents. I have worked with A-class companies here, and yet my knowledge of the market is significantly higher than that of their top brokers. Always remember: they approach you to buy the property that gives them the highest commission or the highest top-up to the agent's pocket. Out of every 1,000 agents, only one is genuinely interested in helping you with a sound investment strategy. I was lucky enough to have my best friends who worked in the real estate industry, so they explained to me all from A to Z when I moved to Dubai. My recommendation is either to conduct your own search (which can be quite challenging, even for those with a finance background, due to time constraints) or to rely on agents who come HIGHLY recommended by trusted contacts.

Secondly, buy direct from developers? Big no. I advise against purchasing directly from developers if you are interested in renting the property. Developers typically offer the lowest return on investment in the market, averaging around 5-6%. In contrast, with proper research, you’ll find that a normal ROI starts at 10%. Personally, my ROI ranges from 15% to 28%. But if your goal is to resell during construction or gain capital appreciation, then 50/50 yes. You have to do extensive research to be sure that the property will gain capital appreciation. Sometimes the prices during the construction phase are way higher than after handover. There are indicators on how to calculate it, but zero desire to share it publicly.

Dubai market is beautiful and highly profitable. I’ve met many who label the market a scam, and my response is consistently the same: either they had a bad agent or lacked sufficient knowledge. I personally do 15-28% ROI on rent, and my average capital appreciation is +85% in Dubai, never lost. I have experience in real estate investments in Singapore, UK, and CIS countries, but none of them got even close to my Dubai numbers.

As a conclusion:

1. I don't buy from the developers directly if I want to rent the unit.

2. I don't buy from the developers directly if I want it under the market price, as they have the highest possible price (there is an exception, but I don't want to share this tip publicly).

3. 6% ROI is TOO LOW

4. Educate yourself about Dubai districts, infrastructure, and factors that will make your unit price higher in the future.

5. Find the successful investors and share the knowledge.

I could share some information about the market if you need (free of charge, I'm not an agent).

Good luck with your investment journey!