What hidden costs do buyers forget when buying in Dubai?

Common surprises: annual service charges (tens of thousands on a large or prime unit), the mortgage arrangement fee (up to 1% + VAT), valuation, conveyancing or legal fees (roughly AED 5,000-10,000 if you use a firm), developer NOC and admin charges, DEWA and chiller/district-cooling connection deposits, Ejari registration and moving costs. Keep a buffer above the headline 4%.