Home purchase financing
Start your property search with a clearer budget.
Know what you can borrow, what you’ll pay upfront and what each month could look like — before you fall for a property.
First home or investment
Is it right for you?
Who it suits
First-time buyers
Buying your first home in the UAE and want to understand the full process.
Upsizers and movers
Selling, upgrading or buying your next home while keeping costs clear.
Investors
Buying an additional or investment property, where different limits apply.
Step by step
How the financing works
- 01
Budget and pre-approval
We look at your income, commitments and deposit, then help you approach lenders for pre-approval so you can search with confidence.
- 02
Property and offer
Once you agree a price, the lender values the property. The valuation, not the price alone, shapes what they will lend.
- 03
Final offer
The lender completes its checks and issues a final offer, which sets out the rate, fixed period, fees and conditions.
- 04
Transfer and completion
Funds are released at the registration and transfer of the property, and the mortgage is registered against it.
First home or investment property?
First home
For a first owner-occupied home, Central Bank limits allow up to 80% financing for expatriates and 85% for UAE nationals on properties of AED 5 million or less (70% and 75% above that).
Additional or investment property
Limits are lower for a second or investment property: up to 60% for expatriates and 65% for UAE nationals. Lenders may set stricter limits.
Ready or off-plan?
Ready (completed) property
Financing is based on the lender’s valuation of a completed home. This is the most widely available route.
Off-plan property
Off-plan financing is treated separately. Central Bank rules cap it at 50% of the value, and availability depends on the lender, the developer and the project’s stage. For the final developer payment, see handover financing.
Before you apply
What to prepare
What lenders look at, what it costs, and the documents you’ll usually need.
What lenders consider
- Your income, and whether you are salaried or self-employed
- Existing loans and credit-card limits, which count towards debt servicing (capped at 50% of income for most borrowers)
- Your age and the loan term — the maximum term is 25 years
- The property itself: type, location, developer and valuation
- Your credit history in the UAE
Costs to plan for
- Down payment (the part not financed)
- Land department or registration fee — set by each emirate
- Mortgage registration fee
- Lender arrangement fee and valuation fee
- Agency fee, if you use an agent
- Life and property insurance, usually required by the lender
Documents
- Passport, visa and Emirates ID
- Salary certificate and recent payslips, or trade licence and company statements if self-employed
- Bank statements (lenders commonly ask for 3–6 months)
- Property details: sale agreement (MOU) or title information
Exact requirements vary by lender.
Our role
How Retention helps
Compare the full offer
Rate, fixed period, follow-on terms, fees and conditions — side by side.
Prepare a clean application
We help you gather the right documents so lenders can assess you without delays.
Coordinate to completion
We keep the lender, you and the other parties moving towards transfer day.
Client experience
Real journeys. Clearer decisions.
Buying a home is a big step. Here’s how one client described working with us.
Retention Mortgage provided exceptional support throughout my mortgage application and property purchase. Laith was professional, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable, and was always available to answer questions and guide me through each stage.
Highly recommended!
It depends on your category, the property value and whether it is your first home. Central Bank limits set the minimum; lenders can ask for more. Purchase costs are paid on top of the deposit.
No. Pre-approval is an initial, conditional view. Final approval follows the valuation and the lender’s remaining checks.
Sometimes. Off-plan financing is limited to 50% of the value under Central Bank rules and depends on the lender and the project. We’ll check what’s available for your purchase.
Generally, you should plan to pay the deposit and purchase costs from your own funds. Ask an advisor about any lender-specific options.
Start your property search with a clearer budget.
Tell us what you’re planning. An advisor will help you understand the next step.