Home Seller Checklist and Guide 2026: Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Once you decide to sell your property, get your to-do list in order before you begin. Our dedicated sales team, with an extensive local and international network of buyers, works to get you the best market price. This guide covers how to get a realistic valuation, prepare your property for viewings and choose the right professionals to complete the sale. Every fee and rule below was checked against official sources on 30 October 2026; the sources are listed at the end. Fees and rules can change, so confirm them with the authority or an iRealtor advisor before you pay.

We know you are eager to find out your property's current value, so the first step is to consult a registered broker. The meeting should take place in person at your property, so the broker can identify its unique features, examine recent comparable sales in the area and consider current market conditions.

In Abu Dhabi, a sale on DARI needs a valuation certificate that is no more than 30 days old and a title deed that is no more than 180 days old. In Dubai, you can also request a property valuation through the Dubai REST app.

Conduct thorough market research, consult with trends, read online reviews and evaluate several brokers to find the one that suits your needs. Look for a brokerage with a solid reputation and broad market appeal, so your property reaches a wide range of buyers.

In Dubai, check the company on the Dubai Land Department list of registered brokerage companies. In Abu Dhabi, you can verify a Madhmoun permit on ADREC, which shows the broker's registration or licence number.

Commission: in Abu Dhabi it is set at 2% of sale and purchase contracts, up to a maximum of AED 500,000 (Resolution No. 183 of 2017). In Dubai, the Dubai Land Department says it follows the agreement between the parties, so agree it in advance.

Choosing to list your property with one agency has clear advantages. It motivates the broker to invest more time and marketing effort to attract buyers for you, and working with one trusted broker is far more straightforward than juggling several agents. Competing listings through different brokers can discourage buyers and lead to lowball offers.

In Dubai, brokers must use the electronic Contract A, the agreement to market a property between the seller and the brokerage. In Abu Dhabi, the approved brokerage contract forms apply.

You only have one opportunity to make a great first impression. Your broker should guide you on how to make your property stand out during photoshoots and viewings. Simple updates, such as a fresh coat of paint, decluttering and cleaning your windows, can create a positive impact. Do not forget the exterior and the garden, as these are the first things buyers notice.

In Dubai, every real estate advert must show a permit number from the Trakheesi system. Ask your broker for it.

In Dubai freehold areas, a sale needs an electronic no-objection certificate (e-NOC) from the developer, obtained through the Dubai REST app. The Dubai Land Department publishes no NOC fee, so ask your developer what it charges.

In Abu Dhabi, upload a developer letter that states whether the unit is in an investment or development area.

Agree the price, the deposit and the terms in writing. The Dubai Land Department and DARI publish no deposit percentage for resale, so state the amount, who holds it and when it is refundable in the contract.

If your property has a mortgage, DARI lists as a condition for a sale that the unit is not under a mortgage, so settle it first and ask your bank for its requirements. In Dubai, registering the sale of a mortgaged property is a related Dubai Land Department service; ask your bank for its no-objection certificate. The buyer's costs may include the mortgage registration fee: 0.25% in Dubai and 0.1% in Abu Dhabi.

After you agree the sale, engage professional help with the details. In Dubai, sales are registered at Real Estate Registration Trustee centres, which act for the Dubai Land Department; the trustee office fee is AED 4,000 plus VAT for sales of AED 500,000 or more. In Abu Dhabi, the seller starts the sale on DARI and the buyer accepts it.

A power of attorney to sell, mortgage or grant is valid for two years.

On the day of the transfer, you meet your broker, the trustee office or DMT, and the buyer. Bring your Emirates ID or passport. Agree in advance how you receive the balance of the selling price, and have your bank confirm it before you sign.

The Dubai Land Department lists a registration fee of 2% for the seller and 2% for the buyer. DARI lists a transaction fee of 2% of the valuation or the selling price, whichever is higher, and also shows a 1% rate. Once the transfer is registered, the buyer receives the title deed and you hand over the keys or access cards.

An iRealtor advisor can explain the steps and shortlist homes in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, including off-plan launches.

This article is general guidance, not tax, legal or financial advice.