Buying a home that is ready

Every step, and what proves it happened

• 1. Owner's authority to market

  The owner's written authority for the brokerage to act and to advertise. Filed with Held by the parties. Without it the listing has no basis.

  RAK MunicipalityThe sellerConfirmed

• 2. Advertising permission

  Required before advertising, in writing from RAK Municipality. It has no published name, so ask them for whatever reference they issue rather than following another emirate's permit. In Ras Al Khaimah it is issued to a licensed brokerage, so an owner listing directly cannot hold one - this is the step where an agent is required.

  RAK MunicipalityYour agentConfirmed

• 3. Listing live

  Photographs, the permit number displayed, and a price the seller has agreed to.

  Your agentConfirmed

• 4. Viewings

  Recorded against the listing so the interest is evidence, not memory.

  YouConfirmed

• 5. Mortgage pre-approval

  Only where there is finance. The bank confirms what it will lend before any offer goes in, within the CBUAE ceilings — 80% of value for an expatriate, 85% for a national, and a debt burden no greater than half of income. An offer without it is a wish.

  CBUAEYouConfirmed

• 6. Offer made

  A price, a payment method, and a validity period after which it lapses on its own.

  YouConfirmed

• 7. Offer accepted

  Acceptance starts every clock behind it — the NOC, the KYC and the transfer date.

  The sellerConfirmed

• 8. Sale agreement

  The sale contract between buyer and seller, with the deposit held against it. Filed with Held by the parties.

  RAK MunicipalityYour agentConfirmed

• 9. Deposit paid

  Ten per cent on signature, held against the contract rather than paid to the seller. Until it moves, either side can still walk; after it, walking costs money.

  YouConfirmed

• 10. Buyer identity and AML check

  Emirates ID or passport, source of funds, and screening. Federal, so it is the same in every emirate — and it is what stops a transfer on the day if it is left late.

  YouConfirmed

• 11. Developer NOC

  The developer confirms no outstanding service charges and consents to the transfer. Typically ten to fourteen days — start it before a transfer date is agreed, not after.

  DeveloperThe developerConfirmed

• 12. Bank valuation

  Only where there is finance. The bank values the property itself, and a figure under the agreed price means the buyer funds the difference or the price is renegotiated — either way the transfer date moves.

  CBUAEYouConfirmed

• 13. Mortgage or liability settled

  If either side has finance, the bank's letter and any existing mortgage discharge have to be in hand before a transfer date holds.

  CBUAEYouConfirmed

• 14. Register the transfer with RAK Municipality

  Register the transfer with RAK Municipality · Land Department. Book the appointment and take the signed agreement, both parties' identity and the ownership document. Ask them for the fee and the reference they issue — those are set locally and we do not quote another emirate's.

  RAK MunicipalityYouNot confirmed

• 15. Title deed issued

  RAK Municipality issues the ownership document once the transfer is registered. Ask them how it is collected and what reference it carries — that varies locally.

  RAK MunicipalityThe government officeNot confirmed

• 16. Handover and utilities

  Keys, meters transferred, and the community handover completed.

  YouConfirmed