Article
How to approach lenders, the right way
When you approach a lender, you are thinking about opportunity. The bank is thinking about risk. Understanding this gap is what separates smooth approvals from missed opportunities.
High-value & villa financing
High-value and villa mortgages in Dubai
At higher values, the difference between a good outcome and a stalled case is how the package is positioned. Income is often spread across businesses, investments and property, and the size of the loan puts every detail under closer review.
I have closed a single-villa mortgage of AED 30M, and my most notable single mortgage in 2024 was AED 15.26M. Cases like these come down to preparation, not paperwork.
AED 30M single-villa deal closed
- 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
Loan-to-value above AED 5M
UAE Central Bank rules allow a lower share of the price to be financed above AED 5M, so the deposit and source of funds need planning early.
Income from several sources
Salary, business profit, rental and investment income are each read differently. The case must present them clearly and consistently.
Valuation
The bank lends against its own valuation, not the agreed price. At this level, a gap between the two changes the deposit you need.
The story behind the numbers
Explanations have to line up with the documents. Uncertainty is what changes how a credit team views a case.
How I structure it
- 01
Discovery
A straight conversation about the property, your timeline and your full financial picture.
- 02
Position the package
Income, assets and liabilities presented the way a credit team needs to see them, before submission.
- 03
Plan the cash
Deposit, fees and valuation risk mapped out, so there are no surprises at transfer.
- 04
Close
Offer, conditions and the Dubai Land Department transfer coordinated end to end.
In their words
“He got weeks-long approvals in a day.”
Zahrany's professionalism and desire to support his clients are beyond belief. He didn't stop at getting things done fast but he always went beyond his duty and made the impossible possible. He got weeks long approvals in a day, he was always available for answering questions and doubts and didn't stop in front of any challenge. I recommended him to my entire network because this level of professionalism is not common to find!
Francesco CavagnaDirettore Generale, Rand ElectricRelated reading
Investors
Why senior professionals finance property
For high earners, property is part of a broader wealth strategy, and many finance it even when they could pay outright, to preserve liquidity.
Fundamentals
The best mortgage decision starts with the exit
A short-term hold needs flexibility and low penalties. A long-term hold needs stability. Start with the exit. That's where the real strategy begins.
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 for a property over AED 5M?
For a first completed home above AED 5M, UAE Central Bank rules allow financing of up to 70% of the value for expats and 75% for UAE nationals, so the minimum deposit is 30% or 25%, plus fees. Lower limits apply to additional properties and off-plan. Final figures depend on bank credit approval.
Do you finance villas as well as apartments?
Yes. Villas, townhouses and apartments, completed or at off-plan handover, across Dubai and the UAE.
Is a large mortgage harder to get approved?
Not harder, but more closely reviewed. Every figure, explanation and document is read in detail, which is why the package should be positioned before it is submitted rather than corrected afterwards.
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