Article
Your 20s shape your financial future more than you think
Early borrowing habits don't just manage cash flow. They build a financial identity. Lenders look at your history, not just your current income.
First-time buyers
First-time buyer mortgages in Dubai
Buying your first home in Dubai comes with unfamiliar rules: deposit limits, fees paid at transfer, and a process that runs through the Dubai Land Department. It is far easier with one person explaining each step before you reach it.
You get a complete document checklist on day one, a clear view of the cash you need, and honest advice on what you can comfortably afford, not just what a bank will lend.
From zero to keys
- Ranked at FAB
- #1, twice
- Mortgages sold
- AED 3Bn
- DLD transactions
- 1,000+
- Years in UAE mortgages
- 12+
Mortgage Specialist, First Abu Dhabi Bank
What a lender looks at
Your deposit
For a first home up to AED 5M, UAE Central Bank rules allow up to 80% financing for expats and 85% for UAE nationals.
Day-one cash
On top of the deposit: the 4% DLD transfer fee, 0.25% mortgage registration, agency and trustee fees, and valuation.
Affordability
Total debt repayments, including the new mortgage, are capped at 50% of your income.
Your history
Early borrowing habits, from credit cards to personal loans, shape how a lender reads you.
How I structure it
- 01
Discovery
Your goal, your budget and your timeline, with every question answered honestly.
- 02
Pre-approval
A clear figure for what you can borrow, so you view properties in the right range.
- 03
Valuation and offer
Valuation and the final offer letter, with every condition explained and tracked.
- 04
Keys
Coordination with the seller, agent and trustee through to the DLD transfer.
In their words
“As a first-time buyer, it couldn't have been a more positive experience.”
As a first time buyer, my experience couldn't have been a more positive one. From the beginning Zahrany showed exemplary professionalism in handling my loan. He was straightforward and very helpful in explaining the process from start to finish. The communication, professionalism and efficiency throughout the whole process was above and beyond. We hit a few snags in the process but in the end I was able to get my dream home.
Mehri SadeghiManager, CHANEL Cosmetics & Fragrances“A beacon of support and guidance throughout the entire process.”
Having faced challenges with my real estate broker, I found Zahrany to be a beacon of support and guidance throughout the entire mortgage process. He not only assisted with the financial aspect but also provided a comprehensive list of required documents and guided me through each step. His responsiveness and attention to detail played a key role in expediting the approval process and overcoming obstacles that arose during the transaction. His expertise, dedication, and client-centric approach make him a standout professional in the field.
Alina BurgonskayaMarketing Manager, MEA, Palo Alto NetworksRelated reading
Fundamentals
Lower payments can cost more
A longer tenor eases your monthly payment but increases total interest. Structure it around where you want to be in five or ten years.
Fundamentals
Debt-to-income, widely misunderstood
Lenders are not only interested in what you earn, but in how much of that income is already committed. Here's how the ranges really work.
Estimate your numbers first
Model your monthly payment, day-one cash and debt burden the way a bank will read them.
Questions I am often asked
How much deposit do I need as a first-time buyer in Dubai?
For a first completed home up to AED 5M, expats can borrow up to 80% of the value and UAE nationals up to 85%, so the minimum deposit is 20% or 15%. Above AED 5M the limits are lower. You also need cash for fees: the 4% DLD transfer fee plus registration, agency, trustee and valuation costs.
Can expats get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes. UAE residents on a visa can get a mortgage in Dubai, subject to the Central Bank's loan-to-value and debt burden limits and to the bank's own credit criteria.
What is the maximum mortgage term in the UAE?
Up to 25 years, subject to your age when the loan ends. A longer term lowers the monthly payment but increases the total interest you pay, so it is worth choosing deliberately.
Do I need a pre-approval before I look at properties?
It helps. A pre-approval tells you what you can borrow, so you view properties in the right range and negotiate with certainty. For salaried buyers it can be ready within 24 hours.
Contact
Tell me about your case.
WhatsApp is quickest. Lay out the whole picture in one message and I reply with a considered answer, not a sales pitch.
Salaried? Pre-approval within 24 hours.
Mortgage Specialist, First Abu Dhabi Bank · Dubai, UAE