A unit's listed price is the starting point, not the total cost. Maintenance deposits, club membership, finishing, registration, brokerage and utility setup typically add a meaningful percentage on top, and the exact figures vary by project and change over time — always confirm current numbers before budgeting against them.
Maintenance deposit and club membership
Most New Cairo and Mostakbal City compounds charge a one-off maintenance deposit (commonly quoted as a percentage of unit price) plus, where a club exists, a separate one-off or annual membership fee. These figures differ by project and are typically reviewed annually — treat any percentage you see anywhere, including on Cairo Key pages, as an example pending reconfirmation with the specific project, tagged with the date it was last checked.
Finishing and delivery condition
Units are commonly delivered core-and-shell, semi-finished, or fully finished, and the gap in out-of-pocket cost between these is large — a core-and-shell unit needs a full finishing budget added on top of the purchase price. Confirm the exact delivery condition for the specific unit, not just the project's general marketing, before estimating this cost.
Registration, brokerage and legal fees
Property registration in Egypt carries its own government fees, and if a broker is involved there is typically a commission on top — both vary by transaction and are worth confirming in writing before reservation, not assumed from a general percentage. A lawyer's review fee, if you use one (recommended — see the documents-to-review guide), is a separate, usually smaller cost.
Utilities setup and move-in costs
New connections for electricity, water and gas, plus any compound-specific utility deposits, are easy to forget when budgeting only from the unit price. For a newly delivered unit in a newer community, these setup costs are typically higher than for an established one with mature infrastructure.
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Frequently asked questions
What percentage should I budget on top of the unit price for these extra costs?
There is no single reliable percentage across projects u2014 maintenance, club fees, finishing and registration all vary by project and change over time. Ask for a current, itemized breakdown from the specific project before finalizing a budget, rather than applying a rule of thumb.
Is the maintenance deposit a one-time or recurring cost?
It's most commonly a one-off deposit at handover, with separate ongoing annual service charges on top for most compounds u2014 but the exact structure is project-specific. Confirm both the one-off and recurring figures for any project you're seriously considering.
Does the Affordability Comparator include these extra costs?
No u2014 it estimates down payment and installment on the published starting price only. See the affordability guide for exactly what the tool does and doesn't account for.
Are finishing costs different for a delivered unit versus an off-plan one?
Yes, generally u2014 an off-plan unit's finishing cost is usually built into later installments or handled separately at delivery, while a ready unit's finishing condition (or lack of it) is fixed at the point of sale. Confirm which applies to the specific unit before comparing prices across projects.
Prices and availability must be reconfirmed before reservation.