
Dubai launches new scheme to help expats and Emiratis buy their first home
The program offers priority access to new property launches, special pricing on units up to AED 5 million, and mortgage solutions tailored to buyers' needs, Dubai Media Office reported.
Launched on Wednesday by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the initiative was unveiled in the presence of representatives from major banks and real estate developers. It supports Dubai's goal to increase homeownership and double the real estate sector's contribution to the economy by 2033.
Designed for all nationalities and income levels, the program is open to applicants aged 18 and above who live in the UAE and do not currently own freehold residential property in Dubai.
'By lowering entry barriers to homeownership for Emiratis and expatriates alike, we are enhancing investor confidence, increasing market absorption rates, and reinforcing Dubai's global positioning as a city where personal aspirations and business ambitions converge,'His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DET, said.
His Excellency Omar Bu Shehab, Director General of DLD, noted that the programme aligns with the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to make homeownership more accessible while encouraging long-term investment among residents.
Participating banks include Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic, and Mashreq Bank, all offering mortgage products tailored for eligible first-time buyers.
Meanwhile, leading real estate developers such as Azizi Developments, Beyond Developments, Binghatti Holding, DAMAC Properties, Danube Properties, Dubai Properties, Ellington Properties, Emaar Properties, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Meraas, Nakheel, Palma Holding, and Wasl have committed their support to the programme.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai real estate: Property giant Binghatti allocates 10% of units for first-time buyers
Binghatti Holding will participate in the First-Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Programme, a government initiative launched by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to enable Emiratis and UAE expats to become homeowners for the first time in 2025. The UAE real estate developer has been selected as one of 13 property developers to support the FTHB Programme. Binghatti will allocate a minimum of 10 per cent of its newly launched and existing residential units, priced under AED 5 million, for first-time buyers. Binghatti joins Dubai's FTHB programme The units allocated to the FTHB Programme will be made available ahead of public launches to ensure participants have access. Binghatti will offer discounts on selected properties to first-time buyers, with incentives tailored for Emiratis and expats, as well as discounted administrative service fees. 'We are honoured to be part of the Dubai Land Department and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism's visionary initiative, one that aligns perfectly with our mission to expand real estate ownership in Dubai. The financial benefits that Binghatti is offering eligible first-time home buyers under the First-Time Home Buyer Programme are designed to make the dream of owning a home in Dubai more attainable for a broader segment of the population. By prioritising first-time buyers, we are not only contributing to the growth of the real estate sector and supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, ambition of reaching AED 1 trillion in real estate transactions, but also helping to build stronger, more sustainable communities,' Katralnada BinGhatti, CEO of Binghatti Holding Ltd. said. The FTHB Programme launches during a period of growth for Dubai's real estate market. In the first quarter of 2025, the Dubai Land Department reported a 29 per cent year-on-year increase in total transaction value, reaching AED 114 billion. The volume of property sales grew by 23 per cent, with a 65 per cent surge in villa and townhouse transactions, reflecting a shift from renting to owning. The programme is open to all UAE residents, both nationals and expatriates, who are residents of the UAE and are purchasing their first freehold residential property under AED 5 million. Binghatti currently has around 20,000 units under development across about 30 projects in residential areas across Dubai, including Downtown, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Jaddaf, Dubai Science Park, Dubai Production City and Sports City. The company's properties are branded residences built in collaboration with Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and Jacob & Co. and have attracted celebrity clients including football star Neymar Junior and the opera star Andrea Bocelli. In May, Binghatti launched 'Aquarise Residences by Binghatti' in Business Bay in Dubai, featuring over 1,500 units spread across 232,300 square feet. The company also announced in May that it had acquired freehold land with over 8 million square feet of gross floor area, with an anticipated total development value of over AED 25 billion. The land is in Nad Al Sheba 1, in the heart of Dubai's Meydan district, and is set to be used for what would be the company's first master-planned residential community in the emirate.


The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Teenage Emirati real estate broker aims high after selling Dh2.3m worth of homes
An 18-year-old Emirati who became one of the youngest licensed real estate brokers in Dubai has reflected on what it took to achieve so much at such an early stage of his career. Khalid Al Zarooni, a recent high school graduate, was inspired by his father, a seasoned real estate expert and company owner. 'I followed in my father's footsteps. I used to go with him to the company and listened carefully to his tips,' Mr Al Zarooni told The National. While many of his peers are preparing for university, Mr Al Zarooni is balancing life as a student and a professional broker. He launched his own business, KBW Perfumery, when he was 16 while attending Al Salam Community School in Dubai. In May last year at the age of 17, he signed up for the Dubai Real Estate Broker Programme, launched to boost local representation in the sector, and got his licence just days later. The national programme aims to allocate between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of units to be sold by Emirati brokers. How did the programme help? 'I wanted to be an entrepreneur from a young age. I love business and will continue my academic studies in business or property management,' he said. 'My father told me about the programme and encouraged me to enrol. I was accepted and was trained by professionals and experts in real estate,' he said. 'It is a free programme that has so many advantages. It allows you to be a part-time broker.' For those looking for full-time work in the sector, the programme also helps secure employment at an estate agency. After obtaining his brokerage licence after his three days of training, Mr Al Zarooni joined his father's company W Capital real estate. By May this year, he had sold two Dubai apartments – one to an Emirati and the other to an investor from outside the Emirates. 'I closed two deals for a one-bedroom and two bedrooms at the Rabdhan Gates projects in Dubai with a total value of Dh2.3 million,' he said. Tips to get to the top Dubai Land Department announced on Sunday that Emiratis interested in joining the programme can now register on its official website. This follows strong interest since its launch, with the department calling on developers and brokers to get involved by presenting their proposals and initiatives for further success. The number of qualified Emirati brokers has reached more than 180 per cent of the annual target. Real estate transactions exceeding Dh500 million have been registered and 231 new real estate brokerage firms have been licensed from the programme's launch through the end of April this year, official figures show. Mr Al Zarooni believes that Emirati youths are capable of excelling if given the right opportunities and support. 'I'm grateful to my family support,' he said. 'I dedicated time outside school to enter the real estate sector. Young Emiratis can work in any sector and succeed.' A good real estate broker should have a lot of connections and be aware of new off-plan projects, Mr Al Zarooni added. 'The most important thing is to be honest with clients in this sector. I hope to be a well-known name in real estate brokerage in Dubai,' he added.


Fintech News ME
4 hours ago
- Fintech News ME
Dubai Launches Region's First Proptech Innovation Hub at DIFC
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Innovation Hub and the Dubai Land Department (DLD) have announced the launch of the Dubai Proptech Hub, located within the DIFC Innovation Hub. This marks the first proptech-focused innovation hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. The initiative is intended to bring together stakeholders across the real estate value chain and promote the use of technology in the sector. The hub will support over 200 proptech start-ups and scale-ups, with targets to create more than 3,000 jobs and attract over $300 million in investment by 2030. It will provide tailored licensing, dedicated workspaces, and a range of support programmes aimed at accelerating the commercialisation of new technologies. The Dubai Proptech Hub will also offer early-stage incubation, venture building, joint pilot programmes, and access to regulatory and financial services. These include initiatives designed to align participants with emerging global trends in property technology. Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, said: 'Laying the foundation for attracting more talent, this landmark initiative fast-tracks the expansion of the proptech market in Dubai and positions the emirate as a global leader in real estate innovation. Furthermore, this initiative will build renewed momentum for investment, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033.' Omar Hamad BuShehab, Director General of the DLD, said the hub builds on the department's Real Estate Evolution Space Initiative (REES), stating: 'By encouraging start-ups and providing advanced infrastructure and incubators, we are enhancing Dubai's global competitiveness and offering a smarter, more connected approach to real estate investment and development.' The hub is based on a multi-stakeholder collaboration model that includes regulators, developers, technology providers, investors, and service providers. Founding partners include developers such as Binghatti, Majid Al Futtaim, Sobha Realty, and Union Properties, as well as infrastructure firm Transguard, which is working with the DIFC Innovation Hub on AI-led building and security technologies. The initiative is part of wider efforts to make Dubai's real estate market more accessible, transparent, and technologically integrated.