So, you have decided upon purchasing a property in Dubai, a fantastic idea. You are in luck as properties in Dubai come with various options for financing including post-handover payment plans, mortgages, and different payment methods. Although a significant share of the property market in Dubai is transacted in cash the market had experienced an all-time high of mortgage purchased properties in 2021, with the figure reaching a total of DH127 billion, exceeding previous records.

It is advisable to shop around and compare rates to find the best solution which fits your situation. If you’re an expat in Dubai and this is your first mortgage, typically, you can borrow up to between 80-85% of the property value, provided the property value is below AED 5M. UAE Nationals are able to borrow slightly higher.

The majority of major banks in Dubai offer home loans, so you can find yourself spoilt for choice, but each bank will have its own terms and conditions. Audrey’s International has excellent relationships with many banks and lenders and can assist you throughout the entire process to secure the dream property.

Who is eligible for a mortgage in Dubai?

FIXED-RATE MORTGAGE

The interest rate will be set for you and will not change throughout the agreed period, this is usually under five years. However, you may find yourself a lender providing a fixed rate for the loan’s lifetime. With a fixed-rate mortgage, you can plan your financial outlays easier and you will not need to pay more in case of an increase in interest rates. However, if interest rates go down you won’t be able to take advantage of this.

OFFSET MORTGAGE

An offset mortgage is very interesting as it links a traditional mortgage to a deposit account. Therefore, the more money in this deposit account the less your interest payments towards your mortgage. This is a fantastic opportunity providing liquidity and lower mortgage payments to those who can save money or tend to have larger amounts of money in their account at any time. You can still access your money in the deposit account at any time, without any restrictions.

Mortgage costs

When purchasing a property with a mortgage in Dubai, you will be required to pay a mortgage registration cost of 0.25% of the loan value. You may also be required to pay the lender a fee as well as the valuation fee and mortgage protection insurance.

Documents required for a mortgage application

  • A copy of your passport.
  • Proof of residence in the UAE and proof of your current address.
  • Financial documents, such as salary certificate, bank statements.
  • Marriage Certificate if purchasing in joint names

Step-by-Step guide to purchase with a mortgage

  • When you’re ready to buy a home, you’ll need to decide how to best secure financing. You can speak to your own bank and other banks direct to apply for a mortgage, however this can become time-consuming. The other option available is to speak to a mortgage broker to represent you. The broker can help you compare offers from different lenders and may be able to negotiate more favourable terms on your behalf. Ultimately, the best approach for you will depend on your unique circumstances.
  • Before you start shopping for a home, it’s important to get a pre-approval letter from the bank. With this you will know how much you can borrow and what to expect for the monthly payments. Pre-approval letters are valid for 60 days, so it’s important to apply for one before you start looking for a home. The process of getting a pre-approval letter is relatively simple.
  • Once you have an idea of what you can afford, you can begin your search for the perfect property. When you find your dream property, be sure to have a loan pre-approval in hand so that you can make a confident offer.
  • Once the deal is negotiated and agreed, your real estate agent will prepare an MOU for you, and you should pay the deposit to confirm your purchase.
  • The bank will request the property documents, Title Deed, Sellers Passport Copy and Floor plan.
  • The bank will arrange for a valuation on the property before providing the final approval. This helps to ensure that the loan amount is appropriate for the value of the property. The bank will arrange for a professional appraiser to visit the property and assess its value. This process usually takes a few days, and once the appraiser has provided their report, the bank will be able to provide final approval for the loan.
  • If the seller has a bank liability on the property your lender will settle this. Once the original property documents are released by the seller’s bank, the next stage will be applying for an NOC from the developer.
  • Once the NOC arrives and you go for completion, your lender will release funds to the seller and the property will be legally transferred from the seller to you. You will then be given a Title Deed registered with the Dubai Land Department.