Lower fees, easier mortgages, and early access to launches help residents compete in a market long driven by investors

Property prices in Dubai are expected to hold firm through 2025, with off-plan launches continuing to sell out within days. But a quiet shift is underway beneath the surface. The city's new First-Time Home Buyer programme, introduced by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), is beginning to change how residents approach ownership.

- BY NIVETHA DAYANAND Assistant Business Editor

For the first time, eligible buyers, mainly UAE residents purchasing their first home in Dubai, can access a package of financial incentives, regulatory waivers, and financing support previously out of reach. The goal is clear: to make property ownership more attainable, reduce upfront costs, and encourage long-term living in a city that has historically rewarded cash-rich investors over resident buyers.

Developers and financiers say the move could be a turning point for the market, opening the door to more stable, end-user-driven demand.

LOWER UPFRONT COSTS TAKE THE STING OUT OF BUYING

For years, one of the biggest hurdles to homeownership in Dubai has been the high upfront cost, along with transfer and service charges. These expenses, often payable in a lump sum, have kept many would-be residents on the sidelines.

Under the new programme, qualifying first-time buyers can benefit from waived or reduced registration fees, as well as staggered payment options that allow them to spread the DLD charge across multiple instalments.

Developers are also responding with discounted launch pricing and tailored payment plans, making entry-level units more affordable.

"The biggest difference lies in the upfront cost savings, particularly the waivers on registration fees and reduced transaction costs," said Madhav Dhar, COO and Co-founder of ZaZEN Properties. "For first-time buyers, these savings directly lower the entry barrier into homeownership, especially in a market where affordability is a key consideration."