Mortgage questions, answered

Beyond your down payment, budget for the Dubai Land Department transfer fee (4% + admin), mortgage registration (0.25% of the loan + AED 290), a property valuation (typically AED 2,500–3,500), a bank arrangement fee of up to 1%, trustee fees and, if applicable, a 2% agency fee plus VAT. As a rule of thumb, set aside 7–8% of the price on top of the deposit.

Your initial consultation is free and without obligation. We explain any fees clearly, in writing, before you decide to proceed.

UAE Central Bank rules cap early settlement fees at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is lower. Some products also allow partial prepayments each year without a fee.

UAE Central Bank rules cap the loan-to-value (LTV). For a first home under AED 5 million, expat residents can typically borrow up to 80% and UAE nationals up to 85%. Above AED 5 million the caps drop to 70% and 75%. Second homes and off-plan purchases have lower limits. Your monthly repayments across all debts also can't exceed 50% of your income.

It varies by bank. Many UAE lenders look for a minimum monthly salary of around AED 10,000–15,000 for salaried applicants, with higher thresholds for some products. Self-employed applicants are usually assessed on two years of audited accounts or bank statements.

Yes. Several UAE banks lend to non-residents buying in Dubai, usually at lower loan-to-value ratios (often around 50–60%) and with additional documentation such as overseas income proof and credit reports.

Most banks require the mortgage to be fully repaid by age 65 for salaried applicants and 70 for self-employed applicants, which can limit the maximum term available to you.

Yes — this is a mortgage buyout. The new bank settles your existing loan and takes over the mortgage. It usually makes sense when your fixed period ends or rates have fallen; we factor in early settlement, valuation and registration costs to check the switch is worthwhile.

Pre-approval usually takes 3–7 working days once documents are complete. From an agreed offer on a property to transfer typically takes 3–6 weeks, depending on the bank, valuation and the seller's lender.

For salaried residents: passport, visa, Emirates ID, a salary certificate, recent payslips and 6 months of bank statements. Self-employed applicants also need a trade licence, memorandum of association and business bank statements. We'll give you a tailored checklist.

A pre-approval is a bank's conditional confirmation of how much it is willing to lend you, usually valid for around 60 days. It lets you negotiate on a property with confidence. The final offer still depends on the valuation and full checks.