How much cash do you actually need to buy a home in Dubai, and what payment options are available?

Real estate experts say buyers typically need 25–30 per cent of a property’s value in upfront cash, covering the down payment (around 20% for expats and 15% for Emiratis) plus non-financable costs like the 4% Dubai Land Department fee, agent commission (about 2%), valuation, and registration charges. For a Dh1 million home, that works out to roughly Dh250,000 to get started. While mortgages can stretch up to 25 years and interest rates have eased, upfront costs remain the biggest hurdle—especially for younger buyers with limited credit history. To bridge this gap, developers are rolling out flexible payment plans such as low booking amounts (5–10%), 60/40 or 70/30 construction-linked plans, post-handover payments spread over 2–5 years, and even rent-to-own options. These structures, along with improved financial awareness and supportive lending programmes for UAE nationals, are making homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers. Are you considering buying, or do the upfront costs still feel like a stretch?

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