Just two weeks after publishing my last blog about how I decided to purchase a $550,000 off-plan villa in a beachfront project in Muscat, I’m here with a completely different update.
At the time, I had already paid the $10,000 reservation fee to secure the last available unit and was preparing to transfer the 30% down payment. Emotionally, I was already halfway in.
Everything looked perfect. Until it didn’t.
Two weeks later, I walked away.
Not because the project was bad. Not because the numbers didn’t work. But because of two deal-breaking clauses buried deep inside the Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA).
What Changed My Mind
In markets like Oman and the UAE, it’s common for developers to ask for a reservation payment before sending you the full SPA. Most buyers trust the summary sheet or take the salesperson’s word for it.
Luckily, I didn’t.
I insisted on the full contract—and read every word. That’s when two clauses stopped me cold:
- Compulsory Golf Membership: Even if I never played golf, I’d be locked into a recurring social membership fee tied to the golf course.
- No Management Freedom: I’d be forced to use the brand’s in-house property management company. No alternatives, no opt-outs.
For many investors, that might be fine. But not for me.
I’ve built my portfolio around freedom and control—choosing my partners, optimizing operations, and deciding how every dollar is used. If I don’t even control who manages the property, do I really own it?
5 Lessons I Learned From Almost Saying Yes
I didn’t plan to walk away. I thought this deal was a done deal. I truly did!
But after all the back and forth, I walked out with more than just my deposit—I walked out with clarity, lessons, and a deeper understanding of what really matters to me as an investor.
If you’re in the game long enough, you’ll face moments like this too.
Here are the five takeaways I’m carrying forward—and maybe they’ll save you from a costly mistake of your own.
1. Never Transfer a Down Payment Without the Final Contract
Reservation forms look clean and innocent. But they don’t tell the full story.
Always—always—insist on seeing the full Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA) before sending any substantial payment. If you don’t understand the legal terms, hire someone who does. One clause can change everything.
I’ve seen investors lose tens of thousands because they trusted a summary.
Don’t let that be you.
2. Don’t Let Emotions or Sales Pressure Guide Your Decisions
Salespeople can be incredibly supportive and genuine. Some even feel like friends by the end of the process. That connection makes it harder to say no.
But remember this:
You don’t owe anyone more than you owe your future self.
No deal—no matter how sweet—should override your gut, your peace of mind, or your investing principles.
3. Stay Liquid—Because the Best Deals Come When Others Panic
This deal would’ve drained the last bit of my cash.
And for a moment, I thought I could handle it. I’ve tested myself before—gone to zero and rebuilt. I even wanted to prove I could do it again. But as I wired funds and reviewed my financial plans, two truths surfaced:
- The world is shifting. Crashes are coming. I don’t fear them—I see opportunity in them. But you can’t strike without liquidity. And I want to be ready when that window opens.
- There are smarter ways to push your limits. At 40, I don’t need to burn myself out for mid-level returns. I’ve learned to ask: Is the reward worth the stretch? In this case, the answer was no.
Don’t put yourself in a corner where you’re stressed, stuck, and sidelined. Stay liquid. Stay nimble
4. Make Sure the Investment Still Matches Your Life Vision
I’ve always been drawn to building things that matter—investments that generate both income and impact. Affordable housing. Job-creating startups. Local ventures that uplift underserved communities.
They’re riskier than real estate. Messier. Less predictable. But they align with who I am—and the future I want to help shape.
Then, just as I received the villa contract, the Universe handed me something else: A high-impact opportunity I had quietly been searching for.
Laying them side by side—the villa and this new venture—the contrast was sharp.
✔️The villa felt safe. Known.
✅ The other path felt alive. Demanding. Transformational.
It’s not just a financial decision. It’s an invitation to put everything I’ve learned—through business, meditation, and growth—into motion. To test myself. Push my edge. See if the inner work I’ve done can shape not just my investments, but how I lead, build, and serve.
And when I asked myself which path would challenge me to evolve… the answer was immediate: I chose the one that asked more of me.
5. Learn to Walk Away—Before It Costs You
The good news is I got my $10K reservation fee back.
Because I asked early. Because I listened when something didn’t feel right. And because I had the courage to step back—before stepping in too deep.
Most people don’t walk away.
They rationalize. They delay. They convince themselves to stay, even when the deal no longer fits who they are or where they’re going.
But here’s the truth:
The longer you wait to walk, the more it costs you.
In money. In energy. In peace of mind.
Saying no isn’t weakness. It’s a skill.
And in this case, it didn’t just save me financially—it protected my focus, my clarity, and my ability to move toward something that actually fits.
Final Thoughts
Walking away wasn’t easy.
It challenged my decisiveness, my emotions, and even my identity as someone who usually follows through. But I’ve learned that walking away isn’t about failure. It’s about alignment.
This villa may very well turn out to be a good investment. I still believe it has potential.
But just because something looks good on paper doesn’t mean it’s right for you. And that’s the real lesson.
If you’re standing at a similar crossroads—pause. Ask yourself not just whether the numbers work, but whether you do.
Because no one else has to live with the consequences of your choices. Only you do.
And that’s exactly why it’s okay to walk.
📌 Related Reads
- Oman Real Estate 2025: The $550K+ Villa in Muscat I Almost Bought (But Still Want)
- Investing in Oman Real Estate in 2025: Hidden Gem or Risky Bet? | Full Investor Breakdown
- Dubai vs Abu Dhabi Real Estate 2025: What €250K vs €1M Really Gets You
- We Almost Bought TWO Off-Plan Apartments in Dubai—Here’s Why We Walked Away
- Dubai Real Estate 2025: Boom, Bust, or Buy? What Smart Investors Need to Know
- Dubai vs. Abu Dhabi vs. Oman Real Estate: Where to Invest in 2025
