Tariq Zekra on Emarat TV Your Complete Guide to Buy Property in Abu Dhabi in 2025
Buying property in Abu Dhabi is one of the most significant financial decisions you will ever make.
It is also one of the most rewarding — if you have the right guide.
When Emarat TV — one of the UAE’s most respected national television platforms — invited Tariq Zekra to share his expertise on buying property in Abu Dhabi, the result was one of the most comprehensive and practical property guides ever delivered on UAE television.
Tariq Zekra is not just any real estate professional. He is the official representative of Abu Dhabi’s property sector, Forbes Middle East’s Most Influential Real Estate Broker in Abu Dhabi, personally acknowledged by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and General Manager of Hero Real Estate — with 25 years of on-the-ground experience helping buyers from over 55 nationalities find their perfect property in the UAE capital.
This blog captures the essential insights from that Emarat TV appearance — and serves as your definitive guide to buying property in Abu Dhabi in 2025.
Why Emarat TV Invited Tariq Zekra to Guide Abu Dhabi Property Buyers
Emarat TV is one of the UAE’s most trusted national television channels — with a wide audience of UAE residents, Gulf nationals, and Arab world viewers seeking reliable, expert guidance on topics that matter most to their lives and finances.
Property buying in Abu Dhabi is consistently one of the most searched and discussed topics among Emarat TV’s audience — and the channel needed an expert who could speak with authority, clarity, and genuine insight.
Tariq Zekra was the natural choice. As the official representative of Abu Dhabi’s property sector, Tariq brings a unique combination of Emirati cultural understanding, deep market expertise, and a genuine passion for helping every buyer — local or international — make the right property decision.
His Emarat TV appearance delivered exactly what buyers needed — a clear, step-by-step guide to buying property in Abu Dhabi, straight from the market’s most trusted expert.
Step-by-Step Guide to Buy Property in Abu Dhabi — As Shared on Emarat TV
Here is the complete property buying process in Abu Dhabi — as explained by Tariq Zekra on Emarat TV:
Step 01 — Define Your Goal Before anything else, be clear on why you are buying. Are you purchasing a home for your family? An investment property for rental income? An off-plan unit for capital appreciation? Your goal determines everything — the community, the property type, the budget, and the timeline. Tariq always starts every client consultation with this single question: What does success look like for you?
Step 02 — Set Your Budget Abu Dhabi offers property options across a wide price range — from apartments starting at AED 500,000 to luxury waterfront villas exceeding AED 10,000,000. Setting a clear budget — including the 2% registration fee, agency fees, and any mortgage costs — ensures you focus only on realistic, achievable options from the start.
Step 03 — Choose the Right Community Abu Dhabi is home to dozens of world-class residential communities — each offering a distinct lifestyle, investment profile, and price point. Tariq’s top recommendations for 2025 include Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Ramhan Island, Al Reem Island, Al Raha Beach, and Hudayriyat Island. The right community depends entirely on your lifestyle preferences, family needs, and investment goals.
Step 04 — Select Your Developer In Abu Dhabi, the developer matters enormously. Tariq recommends working exclusively with Abu Dhabi’s most trusted developers — led by Aldar Properties — who offer regulatory compliance, proven delivery track records, flexible payment plans, and long-term community management. Other trusted partners include Emaar, Damac, Binghatti, Bloom, and Modon.
Step 05 — Sign the MOU Once you have identified your property, a Memorandum of Understanding is signed between buyer and seller — outlining the agreed price, payment terms, and completion timeline. A deposit — typically 10% of the purchase price — is paid at this stage.
Step 06 — Complete Due Diligence Before finalizing any purchase, Tariq conducts thorough due diligence on behalf of every client — verifying title deeds, checking for any outstanding service charges or mortgages, and confirming all legal documentation is in order.
Step 07 — Transfer Ownership The final ownership transfer is completed at the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority — where both buyer and seller sign the transfer documents, the remaining balance is paid, and the title deed is issued in the buyer’s name.
Step 08 — Post-Sale Support Tariq’s service does not end at the title deed. Hero Real Estate provides comprehensive post-sales support — including handover coordination, snagging inspections, leasing setup, and long-term resale planning.
Who Can Buy Property in Abu Dhabi? — Tariq Explains on Emarat TV
One of the most common questions Emarat TV viewers asked during Tariq’s appearance was: Can I buy property in Abu Dhabi if I am not Emirati?
The answer — as Tariq explained clearly on air — is a resounding yes.
Abu Dhabi has designated freehold and leasehold zones where all nationalities can purchase property with full ownership rights. Key freehold areas open to international buyers include:
- Yas Island — Apartments, townhouses & villas
- Saadiyat Island — Premium apartments & villas
- Ramhan Island — Exclusive standalone villas
- Al Reem Island — Apartments & mixed-use developments
- Al Raha Beach — Waterfront apartments & villas
- Hudayriyat Island — Emerging community with strong investment potential
For UAE nationals, the entire Abu Dhabi property market is accessible — with additional advantages including preferential financing terms and access to government housing programs.
The True Cost of Buying Property in Abu Dhabi — No Hidden Surprises
One of the most valuable insights Tariq shared on Emarat TV was a complete breakdown of the true costs involved in buying property in Abu Dhabi — ensuring buyers are fully prepared from day one:
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Property Price | As agreed with seller/developer |
| Registration Fee | 2% of property value |
| Agency Fee | 2% of property value |
| Mortgage Arrangement Fee | 1% of loan amount (if applicable) |
| Mortgage Registration Fee | 0.1% of loan amount |
| Service Charges | Varies by community |
Total buying costs typically range between 4% and 6% of the property value — one of the lowest transaction cost structures of any major global real estate market.
Abu Dhabi Property Buying Tips From Tariq Zekra — Exclusively for Emarat TV Viewers
Tariq shared five exclusive property buying tips during his Emarat TV appearance — insights drawn from 25 years of helping buyers navigate the Abu Dhabi market:
Tip 01 — Buy in Established Communities First For first-time buyers, Tariq recommends starting in established, proven communities like Al Reem Island or Yas Island — where demand is consistent, rental yields are reliable, and resale liquidity is strong.
Tip 02 — Off-Plan Is Your Best Entry Price If your goal is capital appreciation, buying off-plan in a new Aldar Properties development gives you the lowest entry price — with the potential for significant value growth by the time of completion.
Tip 03 — Never Skip Due Diligence Every property purchase — new or resale — requires thorough legal due diligence. Verify the title deed, check for any outstanding charges, and always work through a licensed, regulated real estate professional.
Tip 04 — Think Long-Term Abu Dhabi’s property market rewards patient, long-term investors. Communities that may seem expensive today — like Saadiyat Island and Ramhan Island — are delivering extraordinary appreciation for buyers who committed early.
Tip 05 — Use the UAE Golden Visa Opportunity If your budget allows for a property purchase of AED 2,000,000 or above — do it. The UAE Golden Visa transforms your property purchase into a 10-year residency right — one of the most valuable benefits any real estate market in the world currently offers.
Why Abu Dhabi Is the Right Place to Buy Property in 2025
Tariq closed his Emarat TV appearance with a powerful summary of why Abu Dhabi stands apart as a property destination in 2025 — and why now is the right time to buy:
Abu Dhabi offers everything a serious property buyer or investor could ask for — tax-free ownership, strong rental yields, world-class infrastructure, political stability, a progressive visa framework, and a government-backed development pipeline that ensures long-term market growth.
Add to that the personal guidance of the official representative of Abu Dhabi’s property sector — with 25 years of experience, Forbes recognition, and official partnerships with Abu Dhabi’s most trusted developers — and the case for buying property in Abu Dhabi in 2025 has never been stronger.
Ready to Buy Property in Abu Dhabi With Tariq Zekra?
Whether you are a UAE national, a Gulf resident, or an international buyer — Tariq Zekra is ready to guide your Abu Dhabi property purchase from first conversation to final handover.
With access to 35+ developer partners, AED 2B+ in sales volume, and clients across 55+ nationalities — your Abu Dhabi property journey starts here.
