First Home Buyer Guide UAE 2026

Buying your first home in UAE is a major milestone. This guide covers everything you need to know, from saving your down payment to getting the keys.

Saving for Your Down payment

The first challenge is building your down payment. Most lenders in UAE require 5-25% of the property price. The more you save, the better your loan terms will be and the less you will pay in additional costs.

Consider dedicated savings accounts, government savings schemes, and strategies to accelerate your savings. Every bit counts when building toward your down payment goal.

Government Support

The UAE government offers several programmes to help first-time buyers. These may include down payment assistance, transfer fee concessions, and subsidised loans. Check our government grants guide for current programmes.

Getting Pre-Approved

Pre-approval tells you exactly how much you can borrow. This gives you a clear budget and shows sellers you are a serious buyer. See our mortgage guide for how the approval process works.

The Buying Process

The typical process involves getting finance approved, finding a property, making an offer, completing due diligence, and settling. Our property buying guide walks through each step in detail.

Understanding Costs Beyond the Price

The purchase price is just the start. Budget for transfer fee, legal fees, inspections, insurance, and moving costs. Our buying costs guide breaks down every cost.

Common First-Timer Mistakes

New buyers often underestimate costs, skip inspections, or fail to compare lenders. Take your time, do your research, and lean on professionals where it matters.

Ready to calculate your repayments? Use our mortgage calculator to model different scenarios. Check our FAQs for quick answers.