Compare
Off-Plan vs Ready
Buying off-plan means paying for a home before it is built, usually in stages. Buying ready means a completed home you can move into or let straight away. The right choice depends on your timeline, cash flow and appetite for risk.
Side by Side
| Off-Plan | Ready | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Price | Often launched below comparable ready stock to attract early buyers | Full market price, set by recent comparable sales |
| Payment | Staged payment plan, often spread over construction and sometimes after handover | Deposit then full balance at transfer, usually with a mortgage |
| Financing | Mortgages are usually only available near or after completion | Mortgage available from day one |
| Rental Income | None until handover | Immediate |
| Main Risks | Construction delays, specification changes, market moves before handover | Paying a premium, maintenance on older stock |
| What You See | Plans, show apartment and the developer’s track record | The actual home, building and neighbours |
| Resale Before Completion | Possible in some markets, often subject to developer conditions and a minimum paid share | Not applicable, sale at any time |
Who Each Option Suits
Off-Plan
- Buyers with a long horizon who do not need the home now
- Investors wanting to spread payments
- Buyers who want new specification and amenities
Ready
- Buyers who need to move in or earn rent immediately
- Mortgage buyers
- Buyers who want to inspect exactly what they get
Is off-plan cheaper than ready property?
Launch prices are often set below comparable ready homes, but the gap varies by project and market. Compare the price per square foot with recent registered sales nearby before committing.
How is my money protected when buying off-plan?
Many markets require payments into a project escrow account released against construction progress (Dubai does this through the Land Department). Check the project is registered and the escrow account is in the sales contract.
Can I get a mortgage on off-plan property?
Usually only towards or after completion. Until then you pay the developer’s plan from your own funds, so plan your cash flow for each instalment.
General information, reviewed 2026-10. Rules and thresholds change; confirm the current position with a qualified adviser before you act.