Home purchase & first-time buyers
Guidance for buying a home in the UAE, whether it is your first property or your next one.
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- 80%Typical maximum financeExpatriate first home up to AED 5m (85% for UAE nationals)
- 25 yrsLongest usual termResidential mortgage limit under UAE rules
- 50%Debt-burden capAll monthly debt repayments as a share of income
- ≈5.5–7.6%Purchase costsTransfer, registration, valuation and agency, on top of the deposit
Typical figures under UAE Central Bank rules and common lender practice. Your lender’s criteria apply; we confirm what applies to you.
Home purchase & first-time buyers: everything you need to know
Everything you need to know about financing a home in the UAE — from affordability and deposits to valuation and transfer day. 3 min read
Overview
A home-purchase mortgage lets you buy a ready (completed) residential property by paying a deposit and borrowing the rest from a UAE bank, repaid monthly over up to 25 years. It is the most common route for residents buying their first home or moving up to a larger one, and the rules are well established: the UAE Central Bank sets maximum loan-to-value and debt-burden limits, and each bank applies its own criteria on top.
Our role is to find the lenders that fit your circumstances, explain the trade-offs between their products, prepare a complete application and coordinate everyone involved until the title deed is in your name.
How much you can borrow
Two limits decide the maximum loan: the property’s value (loan-to-value) and your income (debt-burden ratio). The lower of the two applies.
| Buyer | Property value | Usual maximum loan |
|---|---|---|
| Expatriate resident | Up to AED 5m | 80% |
| Expatriate resident | Above AED 5m | 70% |
| UAE national | Up to AED 5m | 85% |
| UAE national | Above AED 5m | 75% |
| Any buyer, second home | Any | 60–65% |
Your debt-burden ratio — all monthly debt repayments including the new mortgage, divided by income — must stay at or below 50%. Credit-card limits count even when unused (often at around 5% of the limit a month), so trimming them can increase your borrowing.
Who is eligible
- Salaried residents: usually at least six months with the current employer (some banks accept less), a minimum salary often around AED 10,000–15,000, and salary paid into a UAE bank account.
- Self-employed residents: usually at least two years’ trading history, audited accounts and business bank statements; some lenders cap borrowing more tightly.
- UAE nationals: higher loan-to-value limits (see the table above) and sometimes additional housing programmes.
- Age: the loan normally has to end by around 65 for salaried and 70 for self-employed applicants.
Costs and a worked example
On an AED 2,000,000 home with a 20% deposit, the loan is AED 1,600,000. Over 25 years at an illustrative 4.49%, the repayment is about AED 8,884 a month. The cash you need at purchase is around AED 551,230: the AED 400,000 deposit plus roughly AED 151,230 in transfer, registration, valuation, bank and agency costs. See every fee explained.
Step by step
- 1Free initial conversation
We review your income, commitments, deposit and plans — no documents needed.
- 2Compare lenders and products
Fixed and variable options, fees, insurance requirements and follow-on rates, side by side.
- 3Pre-approval
We prepare and submit your application; the bank issues a conditional pre-approval, usually valid for around 60–90 days.
- 4Agree the purchase
You sign Form F with the seller, with a timeline that leaves room for valuation and approval.
- 5Valuation and final offer
The bank values the property and issues its final offer letter; we check the terms with you.
- 6Transfer
At the DLD trustee office the title deed is issued in your name and the mortgage registered.
Tips from our advisors
- Avoid new loans or credit cards between pre-approval and transfer.
- Keep a 1–2% buffer for anything unexpected on transfer day.
- Ask whether the bank will waive or reduce its arrangement fee.
Is this the right route for you?
If one of these sounds like you, this service is a good starting point. If not, we will point you to the option that fits.
- 1First-time buyers living and working in the UAE
- 2Residents moving up to a larger home or adding another
- 3Buyers of a completed home who want lenders compared for them
Worth knowing
Pre-approval is issued by the bank, not by us, and is subject to its conditions.
Final approval depends on the property, its valuation and the lender’s assessment.
What to consider first
- 01
Budget for the full cash amount
Your deposit plus around 5.5–7.6% in purchase costs is paid from your own funds. Knowing the total before you view properties avoids a shortfall at transfer.
- 02
Get a pre-approval first
A bank pre-approval shows sellers you are serious and tells you your realistic price range. It is conditional and time-limited, so time it with your search.
- 03
Compare the whole deal, not one rate
Look at the fixed period, what the rate reverts to, fees, insurance requirements and early-settlement terms, not just the headline rate.
Documents lenders usually ask for
You don’t need any of these to make an enquiry. We’ll confirm exactly what your lender needs.
- Passport, residence visa and Emirates ID
- Salary certificate and recent payslips
- Six months of bank statements showing salary credits
- Details of existing loans and credit-card limits
- Self-employed: trade licence, company documents and business statements
- Property details once chosen: sale agreement (Form F) and title deed copy
Minimum deposits are set by UAE Central Bank rules and lender policy, and depend on residency, property value and whether it is your first property. We confirm what applies to you.
For a ready property, often around four to six weeks from an accepted offer to transfer, once your pre-approval is in place. Timings depend on the bank, the valuation and the seller.
Yes, joint applications are common. Both incomes and commitments are assessed together, and both names appear on the title deed.
Yes. Many lenders offer Sharia-compliant structures such as Ijara or Murabaha, with a profit rate instead of interest.
No. The initial conversation is free and does not commit you to anything. Any fees that apply later are explained before you decide to proceed.
No. A pre-approval is issued by the bank after an initial assessment and is conditional. A final offer depends on the property, its valuation and the lender’s full review.
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