Dubai & Abu Dhabi off-plan, for Australians

Most agents tell you what to buy. I'll tell you what not to.

G'day, I'm David, an Aussie from Melbourne. I've sold AED 550M+ of property in Dubai, mainly to Australians like you. Before you put a deposit on anything, I'll tell you straight what I'd avoid.

No pressure, no hard sell. Just straight answers from an Aussie on the ground.

David Hutchinson, Associate Director at haus & haus
Top Off-Plan Consultant 2023
AED 550M+
SOLD · VERIFIED ON BAYUT
43
Verified sales on Bayut
18 yrs
In property, Aus & Dubai
haus & haus
Associate Director
BRN 61217
Dubai broker registration
David at the haus & haus office in Dubai
2023Melbourne
to Dubai

My story

From Melbourne to Dubai, on your side of the table.

I spent more than a decade selling property back home before moving to Dubai in 2023. Today I'm Associate Director, Off-Plan & Investment at haus & haus, with 18 years in property investment across Australia and Dubai.

Here's what I learned fast. Dubai is a great market, but not every project is a good one. Launch events, “1% per month” plans and glossy brochures are built to rush you.

So I do the opposite. I check the fundamentals first, and if a project fails, I tell my clients to walk away. Even when it costs me the sale.

Scarcity is what drives value.

David Hutchinson

Top Off-Plan Consultant 2023Dubai & Abu DhabiFully remote buying

Verified on Bayut

A track record you can check.

Anyone can claim big numbers. Mine are verified on Bayut, one of the UAE's biggest property portals. TruBroker™ is its badge for verified agents.

See my profile on Bayut →
David Hutchinson
David Hutchinson
Associate Director, Off-Plan & Investmenthaus & haus · BRN 61217 · Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Bayut
✓ TruBroker™ on BayutQuality ListerResponsive Broker
43
Verified sales
AED 547.7M
Total sold on Bayut
2023
Top off-plan consultant
Figures from David's verified Bayut profile.
David with Tony Robbins at an industry awards night
With Tony RobbinsNever stop learning
David on stage at the haus & haus awards night2023
Top Off-Plan Consultanthaus & haus awards night

Client stories

Aussies who bought with David.

5 stars
Five-star reviews from Australian buyers
David with his client Lina Marotta in Dubai
Lina and David in Dubai
5 stars

“Professional, and never with any pressure to commit.”

David took the time to thoroughly understand what I was looking for in an off-plan property. He maintained consistent communication throughout the entire process, keeping me updated on new developments that matched my criteria.

Being Australian himself was an immediate positive for me, as it created a sense of trust, transparency, and ease in navigating the Dubai property market. Despite the slow pace on my end, David remained patient, supportive, and proactive. I am now delighted to have secured the perfect apartment in an excellent location, and I credit David's expertise and dedication for making this possible.

LM
Lina MarottaOff-plan buyer
David with his clients at the haus & haus office in Dubai
At the haus & haus office, Dubai
5 stars

“From Australia to Dubai, a seamless property experience.”

From Australia, buying an off-plan unit [...] could've been overwhelming, but David made it smooth, clear, and stress-free. His knowledge, honesty, and dedication truly stood out.

David guided me through every step, from paperwork to securing a fantastic deal, and always had my best interests at heart. If you're looking to invest in Dubai real estate, I can't recommend David Hutchinson highly enough.

ZM
Z. ManookianAustralian buyer
5 stars
As an Australian resident purchasing property in Dubai for the first time, I took great comfort in working with David.
Michelle W.Australian client
5 stars
The best part, there is no pressure to purchase straight away like other agents.
Kevin WollettGoogle review
5 stars
Being an Australian I felt comfortable dealing with him and he was able to answer all my questions.
Simon M.Australian client
5 stars
If any Australians are thinking of buying in Dubai, this is your guy.
Adrian V.Australian client

The good ones go fast.
Be ready when they do.

Everything below is free to read, watch and use. Get across it now, so you can move quickly when the right project comes up.

Learn before you buy

The honest numbers, before anyone sells you anything.

Watch how Dubai compares with Australia, then decide if it's even worth a conversation.

Run the numbers

Same money. Very different rent.

Slide to your budget and compare typical gross rental yields at home and in Dubai. Rough numbers, so you know if Dubai is even worth a closer look.

Then check the 7 red flags
AUD 500,000
AUD 300kAUD 1.5M
Sydney & Melbourne2.5 to 4% gross
AUD 12,500 to 20,000a year in rent
Dubai6 to 9% gross
AUD 30,000 to 45,000a year in rent
Off-plan payment planPay about AUD 175,000 to 250,000 (35 to 50%) while it's built. A mortgage of up to 60% is possible for non-residents at handover.

Illustrative only. Gross yields before service charges, fees, vacancy and tax. Not a forecast, and not financial advice. Rents vary by project and area.

The Dubai Red Flag Guide · Free

7 things to check before you buy off-plan.

If a project fails any of these, I tell my clients to walk away. Here's the first one, free. The other six, with my real examples and the exact question to ask, are in the guide.

Get all 7 free

Get the free guide

Sent straight to your inbox and WhatsApp.

  • All 7 red flags, explained in plain English
  • The exact question to ask for each one
  • Real examples from projects I've turned down
  • A 5-minute read before you put a deposit down
Guide form goes here.
Delete this box and paste the GHL form embed code.

The green flags, what I actually look for, we go through on a call.

Straight answers

Questions Aussies actually ask.

Short, honest answers. Anything else, ask me on a 15-minute call.

Book a 15-minute chat
Can I buy from Australia without flying over?

Yes. Everything can be done remotely: escrow, DLD registration and digital paperwork. We go through the projects together on a video call.

Is my money safe if I buy off-plan?

By law, off-plan payments go into an escrow account, and the developer can only draw on it as construction milestones are hit. That's also why I check every developer's track record before I show you a project.

Can I get a loan as a non-resident?

Usually at handover. Most payment plans have you pay 35 to 50% while it's built, then a mortgage of up to 60% is possible at handover. It depends on your situation, so we go through it on a call.

What about tax?

Dubai has no income tax and no capital gains tax. Australian tax rules still apply at home, so speak to your accountant before you buy.

Does buying property get me a visa?

It can. A UAE residence visa through property is possible, conditions apply. The 10-year Golden Visa starts from AED 2M.

Why not buy direct from the developer?

Going direct saves you nothing, because the developer pays the commission either way. You just lose the person checking the contract, the escrow and the project.

Your next step

A quick chat beats a glossy brochure.

15 minutes, no pressure. If Dubai isn’t right for you, I’ll tell you that too.

Book a 15-min chat