1. Your total purchase budget
Request the unit price in a stated currency and the offer’s validity date, then separate registration and transfer costs, commissions, service charges and furnishing. Set both your initial cash budget and capacity for later payments rather than comparing advertised prices alone.
2. Location and daily life
Check travel to work, schools, services and the airport on a map and during a visit. Compare Al Mouj, Muscat Bay and other locations for access, amenities and maintenance costs. Images and a location’s name cannot replace that review.
3. Ready homes versus off-plan property
For a ready home, check viewing access, its actual handover condition and unit documents. For an off-plan purchase, request the construction stage, contracted specification, delivery date and terms for delay or cancellation.
4. Instalments and payment schedules
Get the reservation amount, deposit, instalment amounts and dates, handover payment and refund terms in writing. Plans vary by seller and unit. Do not assume that financing or instalments are available without written confirmation.
5. Ownership, documents and residency
Before paying, verify the ownership rights, purchase eligibility for your nationality, seller identity and unit documents with the relevant authority and independent legal adviser. If residency is a goal, confirm your current case-specific requirements with the official authority; do not assume any property purchase automatically grants residency.
6. Viewings and a comparable written offer
Record the unit number, floor, area, layout, orientation, construction status and all costs in comparable written offers. For an investment assessment, include vacancy, management and maintenance costs. Treat rental estimates as projections rather than guaranteed income.