How to Assess a Developer

Most developer comparisons you will read are rankings with no method behind them. Here is what can actually be checked.

What is verifiable

• Registration and licence status with the Land Department — a matter of record.
• Whether a specific project has an escrow account, and its number.
• Oqood registration for an off-plan unit.
• Completed buildings you can visit and inspect.
• Transaction volume in the community, which our area pages report from official records.

What usually is not

• "Delivered on time" percentages, which are rarely defined or sourced.
• Quality ratings with no stated methodology.
• Projected rental yields quoted at launch.
• "Guaranteed" returns of any kind.

Questions worth asking

1. 1Which completed projects can I visit today, and can I speak to a resident?
2. 2What is the escrow account number for this project?
3. 3What are the service charges in your nearest comparable completed building?
4. 4What happens to my payments if the project is delayed beyond the SPA date?
5. 5Is the handover date in the SPA the same as the one in this brochure?