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Article 3 min read

What Is Off-Plan Property? An Investment Introduction

Date 04 September 2025

Stake team
Written by Stake team
What Is Off-Plan Property? An Investment Introduction
Table iconTable of contents

    Key takeaways

    1

    Lower prices, bigger upside: Buy 15-30% below market.

    2

    Flexible payments: Pay in stages, not all upfront.

    3

    Dubai leads globally: 63% of sales are off-plan (2024).

    Off-plan investment is one of the smartest ways to tap into real estate early. You buy before the property is built and get the first choice of units, layouts and views. It’s about seeing potential and acting on it quickly.

    What is off-plan investment?

    Buying off-plan means you’re investing in a property while it’s still under development. You're not walking into a finished apartment, you're backing the potential, often at launch prices that sit 15-30% below resale value. 

    That early-mover advantage can translate into gains by the time it’s built.

    How does it work?

    Off-plan investing typically follows a payment plan linked to construction milestones:

    • Initial deposit: Lock in your unit with a reservation fee and down payment (usually 10-15%)
    • Staggered payments: Pay in phases as the project progresses (foundation, structure, completion)
    • Post-completion options: Some developers offer flexible payment terms even after handover

    The structure spreads your investment over time, giving you more control over cash flow and lowering the upfront capital needed.

    Off-plan vs ready property

    Ready Property

    Off-Plan Property

    Immediate handover

    2–3 year timeline

    Full payment upfront

    Pay over time

    Instant rental income

    Income starts post-handover

    Fixed, finished unit

    Early access to best layouts

    Lower risk

    Higher growth potential

    Both paths can work and it depends on your strategy. Off-plan suits investors looking for long-term gains, flexibility and access to newer builds in prime zones.

    Why investors go off-plan

    Lower entry point
    Initial prices are often significantly cheaper than resale equivalents.

    Smarter cash flow
    Spread out payments. Keep capital working in other assets.

    Potential growth
    Benefit from capital appreciation during the build phase.

    First choice of units
    Get early access to the best layouts, floors and views.

    Brand-new build
    Enjoy the latest designs, amenities and construction standards.

    Why Dubai leads the off-plan market

    Dubai is the global capital of off-plan. The numbers say it all:

    • 63% of all residential sales in 2024 were off-plan
    • AED 184.3B in off-plan transactions in Q2 2025
    • 26% price gap between off-plan and ready property

    With strong regulation by RERA and the Dubai Land Department, property investors gain trust, as projects are monitored and the pipeline is transparent.

    But there are risks

    Delays can happen
    Construction issues, funding shifts or permits can affect timelines.

    Capital can be tied up longer
    You won’t earn income until the property is ready.

    Developer quality varies
    Choosing the right partner is key. Not all developers deliver.

    Rules differ by market
    Work with experts who understand ownership laws in each region.

    Where StakeOne comes in

    StakeOne simplifies off-plan investing for you, at all points of the journey. Our platform enables anyone globally to buy, manage and sell full properties in Dubai through a digitalized end-to-end investing experience.

    All-in-one property investment platform

    Buy, manage, sell, and earn rent on your properties in one easy-to-use app

    Hidden gems of the market curated by experts

    Only the top 1% of listings make it to the platform based on their return potential

    Radical transparency without compromise

    Track your investments in real-time with robust projections and portfolio insights

    Why now?

    A few years ago, off-plan investing meant flying in, meeting brokers, reviewing spreadsheets and hoping for the best. Not anymore.

    • Stronger regulation means more transparency and security
    • Our platform makes access borderless and intuitive
    • Market growth in cities like Dubai offers rare upside
    • The fundamentals haven’t changed: flexibility, early access, and value

    Ready to go off-plan?

    The opportunity is here, especially in neighbourhoods on the rise. 

    With StakeOne, you can own curated properties, stay in control and let us handle the rest. Your portfolio, managed end to end, right from your phone. 

    [Join the StakeOne waitlist]

    This material is being issued by Stake One Real Estate Brokerage LLC.