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Primary Purchase Mortgage

Buying your first or next home in the UAE — down payments, verified rates from 3.75%, true costs, and the process from pre-approval to keys.

Primary purchase at a glance (July 2026)

Fixed rates salary transfer, verified from circularsfrom 3.75%
Down payment expat, first home ≤ AED 5M20% (nationals 15%)
One-time buying costs DLD, registration, trustee, valuation~6–7% of price
Pre-approval3–5 working days
Offer accepted → keys~4–8 weeks

Caps are UAE Central Bank rules; rates and fees are the verified figures we publish across this site. We confirm your exact numbers free — across all the banks.

Step 1 — Know your budget before you shop

Two numbers define your purchase: what banks will lend you, and what the purchase truly costs. Lending is capped by the 50% debt burden ratio and LTV rules; costs add roughly 6–7% on top of the price — DLD transfer fee 4%, mortgage registration 0.25% + AED 290, trustee office AED 4,515, title deed AED 580 and a bank valuation of AED 2,625–3,150. Use the eligibility calculator and the payment calculator for your case — then get the real figure confirmed with a pre-approval (3–5 working days, usually valid ~60 days).

Step 2 — Choose the right bank, not just the lowest rate

Verified fixed rates currently start at 3.75% and cluster around 3.95–4.25% for salary-transfer applicants — but the sharpest headline isn’t always the cheapest loan. The follow-on rate after your fixed period (margin + EIBOR), processing and valuation fees, insurance rates and overpayment allowances all differ by bank. We compare all the banks’ verified pricing for your profile and show the full-term math, not just year one.

Step 3 — Offer, MOU and transfer

Once you’ve found the property: agree the price, sign the MOU (Form F) with the usual 10% security cheque, bank valuation, final offer letter, then the seller’s NOC and the trustee-office transfer where you receive the title deed. End to end, a financed purchase typically runs 4–8 weeks. We sequence all of it so nothing stalls your deal — including your document checklist.

Buying off-plan instead?

Off-plan purchases follow the developer’s payment plan, with the mortgage usually drawn at handover for the balance — a different sequence with its own deadlines. See handover payments & project financing.

Primary purchase FAQs

How much down payment do I need?
Expats: at least 20% for a first home up to AED 5M (25% above). UAE nationals: 15%. Plus roughly 6–7% of the price in one-time fees.
What rates can I get right now?
Verified fixed rates start at 3.75% (salary transfer) as of July 2026, with most major banks between 3.95% and 4.25%. Your exact rate depends on income, employer, LTV and salary transfer — we confirm it free.
Should I get pre-approved before finding a property?
Yes — it fixes your real budget, strengthens your offer, and protects your 10% MOU deposit. Pre-approval takes 3–5 working days and is usually valid around 60 days.
How long does the whole purchase take?
A financed resale purchase typically runs 4–8 weeks from accepted offer to keys — pre-approval, valuation, final offer letter, NOC and transfer. We chase every stage.
Can non-residents buy with a mortgage?
Yes — several UAE banks finance non-residents, typically at 50–60% LTV. See our non-resident mortgage guide.
Ready to buy? Start with a free pre-approval — your real budget confirmed across all the banks, in days.
Start my pre-approval