Country Buying Guides
Step-by-step guidance for buyers in the United States, Singapore and Australia.
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Home / International Investors / United States
In much of the US, owning a property means paying for it every year after you’ve bought it. Property taxes take 1 - 2% of the home’s value annually, and insurance premiums in states like Florida and California keep rising. Mortgage rates are also still well above pre-2022 levels. For many American buyers, the ongoing cost of a second home in the US is getting harder to justify.
The UAE works differently. There is no annual property tax, and foreign buyers can own freehold in designated areas of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, with long-term ownership options in Sharjah. Gross rental yields are typically 6–9%, and the dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so your capital isn’t exposed to dollar exchange-rate swings. TopLuxuryProperty helps American buyers compare projects across all four emirates, with prices shown in exact USD, and connects you with advisors who know how US buyers invest abroad.
Speak to an international investor advisor - free, no obligation.
Selected projects across the UAE, chosen for location, developer track record and payment terms. Ask our advisors for current prices and availability.
USD 596,324
4 Bedroom Townhouse · Damac Hills 2
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USD 449,285
Studios, 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments · Dubai Maritime City
View project details →
USD 506,467
1, 2 & 3 Bedroom · Dubai Creek Harbour
View project details →
USD 258,679
1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments/Townhouse · Emaar South
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USD 435,670
1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments · Dubai Hills Estate
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USD 3,585,840
4, 5 & 6 Bedroom Villas · The Oasis
View project details →Starting prices shown in USD at AED 1 = USD 0.2723 (rate as of 9 Nov 2026). Indicative only — properties are priced and paid in AED.
Selected projects across the UAE, chosen for location, developer track record and payment terms. Ask our advisors for current prices and availability.
Practical, expert guides on markets, risks and planning, built for first-time and experienced investors alike.
Step-by-step guidance for buyers in the United States, Singapore and Australia.
Choose Your Country →How buying before completion works, from reservation to handover.
Read the guide →The one-off and ongoing costs to budget for beyond the purchase price.
Read the guide →Choosing a community, tenancy registration and property management options.
Read the guide →How developer payment plans are structured and what to check before you commit.
Read the guide →How property ownership relates to UAE residence visa options.
Read the guide →Check these points before you commit, from UAE ownership rules to how the US taxes income from property abroad.
You don’t need to fly in to buy. Most of the process happens online and our advisors guide you through every step.
Tell us your budget and goals. We shortlist suitable projects and walk you through them by video call.
Choose your unit and receive the developer’s reservation form. Pay the booking amount to secure it for you.
Sign the Sales and Purchase Agreement. We help you review key terms; independent legal advice is always recommended.
Your purchase is registered with the emirate’s land department. In Dubai, off-plan sales go on the interim Oqood register.
Pay instalments as building milestones are reached. On registered projects, payments are held in a regulated escrow account.
Inspect the unit, make the final payment and receive your title deed. Then move in or rent out.
Tell us your goals, and we’ll arrange a call during your working hours.
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Call +971 58 512 3244
Email hello@topluxuryproperty.com
Yes. US citizens and residents can buy freehold property in Dubai's designated areas and hold the title deed in their own name. Other emirates set their own ownership rules.
For most of the process, yes. You can choose, reserve, sign and pay from the US. For the final transfer, you can attend in person or appoint a representative through a Power of Attorney notarised in the US and legalised for UAE use.
Yes and the best thing is that the dirham is fixed at USD 1 = AED 3.6725, so the USD figure on each listing reflects what you'll pay. Contracts are in AED, and bank wire fees may apply.
Yes, Off-plan property is popular with US buyers because staged payments and interest-free developer plans reduce the need for financing. Instalments are held in escrow and released as construction progresses.
No, Dubai has no annual property tax, higher typical yields and no currency risk for dollar investors. It also has higher upfront buying costs, service charges and a different legal system. Compare both on full cost, return and risk over your holding period.
There is no UAE tax on rental income, but the US taxes its citizens and green card holders on worldwide income. You should expect to report UAE rental income and gains to the IRS. Take advice from a CPA with international experience.
Some UAE banks lend to non-residents, usually with a larger deposit than residents need. Many US buyers use developer payment plans instead.
A licensed UAE property manager handles tenants, leases, rent collection and maintenance for a percentage of annual rent, so you can own from any US time zone.
Owning property doesn't guarantee a visa. However, property worth AED 2 million (approx. USD 545,000) or more may make you and your family eligible for a 10-year Golden Visa, subject to current criteria and approval by the UAE authorities.
Tell us what you need, and we’ll find properties to match.