If you’re looking to buy an apartment in Dubai Marina in 2025, this guide walks you through the real process, costs, and insights based on our own experience.
Whether you’re looking for a home or an investment, this guide walks you through every step — based on firsthand experience — with real-world tips, mortgage insights, ROI analysis, and what to expect with service charges and future supply.
Why Dubai Marina?
Dubai Marina offers a unique blend of urban lifestyle and coastal serenity. It’s popular with:
- End-users seeking a vibrant community close to work and leisure spots
- Investors looking for high-yield short-term or long-term rental opportunities
Location Perks:
- Close to the beach and Marina Walk
- Connected by the Dubai Metro and tram
- Excellent dining, retail, and fitness facilities (Explore fitness guide)
Cannot decide between Dubai Marina or JBR? Check out my comparison.
Step 1: Define Your Purpose – End-use vs Investment
Ask yourself:
- Will I live here full-time, part-time, or rent it out?
- Am I prioritizing lifestyle, location, or return on investment (ROI)?
In our case, we bought in early 2025 with a hybrid intent: something livable now, but still with rental potential in the future. Key factors we prioritized:
- Well-maintained older buildings (better value)
- Proximity to metro
- Low short-term rental saturation
- Total monthly cost (mortgage + service fees) equal to or less than rent
Step 2: Know the Price Per Sq Ft in 2025
As of Q1 2025, Dubai Marina apartment prices vary:
- Studios: AED 1,650–1,850/sq ft
- 1-bed units: AED 1,550–1,750/sq ft
- Luxury buildings: AED 2,000+/sq ft
Older buildings with good upkeep often provide better value and lower entry prices. But future capital appreciation might be slower compared to new launches.
Step 3: ROI vs Short-Term Let Yields
Dubai Marina is investor-friendly. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Long-term rental ROI: ~5–6% annually
- Short-term rental ROI: Up to 8–10% — but highly dependent on occupancy, furnishing, and building policies
Pro Tip: Avoid buildings with high short-term rental turnover if you plan to live there. Look for a more stable tenant profile.
Step 4: Prepare for Service Charges & Maintenance
Service charges in Dubai Marina can range from:
- AED 12 to AED 22 per sq ft per year, depending on the building
Always check:
- Maintenance records
- Reserve funds
- Pending major upgrades or assessments
These costs directly impact your cash flow and ROI.
What are the other costs of living in Dubai Marina? Check our guide here.
Step 5: Get Mortgage Pre-Approval
If you’re financing:
- UAE residents can borrow up to 80% of the property value (first property)
- Non-residents: up to 50–60%
Our Experience:
- Pre-approval took 3 days — smooth and fast
- Full mortgage approval took longer, partly due to Christmas delays and evaluation waiting
- Valuation came lower than expected — important because you only get 80% of the evaluated amount, not the purchase price
- We appealed — result stayed the same
Tip: Use a mortgage advisor. Ours handled the bank, agent coordination, and explained everything. Highly recommended.
Also, don’t forget the mandatory property insurance (Takaful or equivalent), which must be in place before mortgage disbursal.
Step 6: Choose the Right Property
We narrowed down options based on:
- Location (near metro, not too touristy)
- Good building management
- Potential rent value vs mortgage + service costs
Older, well-managed towers often yield better living comfort with reasonable pricing.
Step 7: Make the Offer and Pay the Deposit
Once you’ve found the apartment:
- Make a formal offer via your agent
- Pay the 10% deposit (held in escrow)
- Agree on timeline for NOC, DLD registration, and handover
Your agent will handle:
- Coordination with seller
- Scheduling valuation
- Managing paperwork and bank follow-ups
Step 8: Registration & Transfer
Upon mortgage finalization:
- Bank issues final offer letter
- Buyer and seller visit Dubai Land Department for ownership transfer
- Pay 4% DLD fee + AED 580 admin fee
- Property is registered under your name
Expect the process to take 30–60 days, depending on mortgage timelines.
Step 9: Prepare for Handover
After registration:
- Get keys and access cards
- Set up DEWA, chiller, internet
- Schedule move-in or start furnishing (for rentals)
You’re now an official Dubai Marina homeowner!
Where to Search for Dubai Marina Apartments
The best place when you want to buy apartment in Dubai Marina is to start your search is Property Finder. It’s the leading real estate platform in the UAE and offers:
- Verified listings
- Filters for building age, amenities, and price
- Options for sale, rent, and mortgage advice
FAQs: Buying an Apartment in Dubai Marina
Is Dubai Marina a good investment in 2025? Yes. Stable prices, strong rental demand, and prime location make it one of Dubai’s top-performing areas.
What is the average price per sq ft in Dubai Marina? Around AED 1,550–2,000 depending on building age and location.
How much are service charges in Dubai Marina? Between AED 12 and AED 22 per sq ft per year.
How long does it take to get a mortgage in Dubai? Pre-approval takes ~3 days. Full approval can take 3–5 weeks, depending on the bank and holidays.
Can foreigners buy apartment in Dubai Marina? Yes, it’s a freehold zone open to expats and non-residents.
If you’re thinking of investing or living in this iconic Dubai neighborhood, we hope our journey helps you navigate the process smarter.
For more lifestyle insights, check out our Guide to top 15 Dubai Marina Restaurants.