# Get cashback on agency commission with Sooner Property Concierge > What a property advisor, also known as a buyer-side agent, does and how eligible buyers can get cashback on the 2% agency commission. - Published: 2026-08-21 - Updated: 2026-08-23 - Category: Buyer guidance - Reading time: 8 minutes - Canonical page: https://www.joinsooner.com/blog/buyers-agent-dubai/ A property advisor, also known as a buyer-side agent, helps you search the wider market, compare homes, negotiate and manage the purchase. Sooner Property Concierge provides this buyer-side service and gives eligible buyers cashback on the agency commission. The person showing you a home may work for the seller, a developer or you as the buyer. Ask who they represent before you rely on their advice. ## What a property advisor, or buyer-side agent, should do A buyer-side property advisor starts with your brief rather than a seller's listing. The role should include: - Turning your budget, commute, family needs and time horizon into a clear search brief. - Searching across the market rather than only showing in-house or developer inventory. - Checking whether a listing is current, correctly priced and worth viewing. - Comparing recent sale prices and service charges before you make an offer. - Negotiating price, timing, inclusions and conditions. - Coordinating the agent, seller, conveyancer, valuer and mortgage team. - Showing you how much cash you need before you commit. A property advisor does not replace a lawyer, valuer, surveyor or the bank's mortgage decision. Their job is to bring the right specialists together and keep the purchase moving. ## The first question: who do you represent? A listing agent works for the seller. A developer sales representative sells that developer's properties. There is nothing wrong with either role, but their job is different from an advisor working for the buyer. Listing side ### Starts with a property The goal is to find a buyer for a specific seller, property or group of listings. Buyer side ### Starts with your brief The goal is to find and negotiate the right property across the available market. Ask simple questions. Who appointed the agent? Which properties can they show you? How are they paid? Do they earn more for recommending a particular development, lender or service? ## Dubai resale buyers pay a 2% agency commission When you buy a Dubai resale property through an agent, you pay an agency commission of 2% of the property price, plus 5% VAT on that commission. On an AED 2,000,000 home, that is **AED 42,000**. The Dubai Land Department says the brokerage agreement should be in writing and explain the terms. You can also use its online service to check that the broker is licensed by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). Check both before making an offer. Standard buyer agency commission **AED 42,000** 2% commission plus 5% VAT on an AED 2,000,000 resale purchase. The 2% commission is paid as part of the resale purchase. The useful question is what buyer-side service and value you receive for that fee. ## Get cashback with Sooner Property Concierge With Sooner Property Concierge, one team coordinates your property search, negotiation and mortgage. You pay the 2% agency commission plus VAT as part of the resale transaction. If you meet the confirmed offer terms, Sooner gives you cashback on that commission. The benefit is simple: you get money back on the standard buyer agency commission. Confirm the cashback amount before including it in the cash available for your purchase. - **Illustrative commission:** 2% of AED 2,000,000 - **Commission + VAT:** AED 42,000 - **Sooner cashback:** Confirmed in your offer terms Sooner can also compare mortgages and help you plan the closing costs, so the property and mortgage decisions are handled together. **Cashback does not waive the agency commission.** You pay the commission and VAT required by your brokerage agreement. Cashback is a separate Sooner benefit, subject to eligibility and the terms confirmed with you. ## How to choose a buyer's agent in Dubai - Verify the RERA card. Use the DLD e-card service, not a screenshot sent in chat. - Read the brokerage agreement. Confirm the commission, VAT, scope, exclusivity and when payment becomes due. - Ask how they search. Find out whether they search across the market or favour certain listings. - Check the numbers. Ask for recent comparable sales, service charges and every upfront cost. - Check mortgage coordination. The property price, bank approval, mortgage rate and cash needed to complete must all fit your budget. - Choose someone who will challenge you. A useful advisor should tell you when a property, price or deadline works against you. ## Red flags to notice early - They will not state who they represent or how they get paid. - Every recommendation comes from one developer or one office. - They rush you to sign before the mortgage and cash numbers are clear. - They guarantee appreciation, mortgage approval or a specific future rate. - They suggest hiding debt or borrowed funds from the lender. - They cannot provide a valid RERA card or written brokerage terms. Agency commission is contractual and can vary. Cashback is subject to Sooner eligibility and the offer terms confirmed with you. Read the signed brokerage agreement and product terms before committing. ## Primary sources - [Dubai Land Department, RERA e-card verification](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/validate-e-card-overview/?r=1) - [Dubai Land Department, licensed real estate brokers](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/licensed-real-estate-brokers/) - [Dubai real estate brokerage legislation](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/1omljeok/legislation_en.pdf)