What Buyers Should Ask Their Agent Before Buying in Dubai

Most buyers walk into a property viewing excited, curious, and ready to fall in love. Nothing wrong with that, buying a property should feel exciting. But the difference between an ok purchase and a great one often comes down to the questions buyers don’t know they should ask.

I don't mean the polite ones about when the property was handed over or the number of units in the sub-community. The real ones, that reveal value, risk, strategy, and whether the agent in front of you is truly acting in your best interest or just trying to close a deal.

If I could hand every buyer a script before they start viewing, these are the questions I’d want them to ask.

1. “Why Should I Buy This?”

Every agent has a different answer, and how they respond tells you everything about them. A confident agent who believes in the unit will give you a straight, reasoned answer with evidence: resale performance, community data, rental demand, and how it fits different investment strategies.

If they become vague, overly promotional, or worse can't give you any real information, it’s a sign they don’t stand behind the asset, only the commission.

What to look for in an answer:

• A clear recommendation (not a sales pitch)

• Pros and cons openly shared

• A rationale that suits your goal, not a generic one

2. “What’s the Resale Story of This Unit?”

In Dubai, too many buyers focus on appreciation only and forget the other details needed for a successful exit. A knowledgeable agent should explain:

• Who will buy this from you later?

• What price drivers will matter at resale?

• Where this unit sits in the building’s value hierarchy (view, layout, floor, orientation, demand)

If the only resale angle you’re given is “prices are rising” that’s not a strategy, that’s marketing.

3. “Why This Building and Not the One Next Door?”

Dubai gives you choice. Sometimes too much. A buyer-focused agent not only should know the surrounding buildings as well as they one they are showing you but also should be able to compare:

• Service charges

• Layout efficiency

• Developer/build quality

• Community amenities and occupancy

• Rents vs similar buildings

If they can’t benchmark buildings against each other, you’re not speaking to a community specialist.

4. “What Are the Worst-Case Scenarios Here?”

You’re not being negative, you’re being a responsible investor. A transparent agent should walk you through:

• Rental demand dips

• Possible price compression

• Tenant profile changes

• Upcoming supply that could affect returns

If they only show the upside, they’re selling a dream, not a plan for your future.

5. “What Should I Know That Most Buyers Don’t Ask?”

This one reveals the agent’s real value. An agent who really knows the community will proactively share things that don’t show up on the listing:

• AC costs and the average DEWA bill

• Parking access and exit traffic

• Noise factors (schools, mosques, construction phases, flight paths)

• Community demographic shifts

• Future developments that could add value or block your view

If their answer is surface-level, you’ve hit the ceiling of their knowledge and are possibly walking into a purchase that won't suit you.

6. “What Would Make You Tell Me Not To Buy This?”

A truly high-integrity agent will never just focus on the sale, they’ll guide you to what is right for you. That means being honest about who the unit isn’t right for, pointing out potential red flags, and explaining situations where it could be a poor fit. Maybe the floor layout is awkward for families, maybe the view will be blocked in a couple of years, or maybe the rental demand is limited for certain tenant types.

If your agent can’t identify a single scenario where this property might not suit a buyer, that’s a warning sign: they’re focused on closing the deal, not protecting your investment. A great agent helps you see both the upside and the risk, so your decisions are informed, confident, and future-proof.

The Truth Most Buyers Realise Too Late

The best agents don’t “sell” you a unit. They guide you to a smart decision, even if that decision is to wait, walk away, or choose another building entirely. If you want a better buying experience, don’t ask for more viewings. Ask better questions. Because a good agent can show you options…but a great one will protect your blind spots.