Paying half the price before the keys and half on handover sounds simple. The catch is that the second half arrives as one lump sum, often years later, and has to be paid in cash or with a mortgage valued at that date. This guide is what we tell clients on the phone, written down, with the numbers that applied the week it was last reviewed.
The short version
Paying half the price before the keys and half on handover sounds simple. The catch is that the second half arrives as one lump sum, often years later, and has to be paid in cash or with a mortgage valued at that date. This guide is what we tell clients on the phone, written down, with the numbers that applied the week it was last reviewed.
Step by step
- Read the whole schedule. Booking, the four instalments in the first 16 months, and the 50% on handover.
- Plan the handover payment now. Banks lend on the valuation at handover, not today’s price.
- Budget for the upfront costs. The 4% DLD fee is paid when you book, not when you get the keys.
- Check the title type. In Al Jaddaf, confirm freehold or leasehold in writing before you pay.
- Register properly. Oqood registration at the DLD now; title deed and Ejari after handover.
What it costs
| Item | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| DLD registration (Oqood) | 4% of the purchase price |
| Developer admin / Oqood fees | approx. 1,000 – 5,000 |
| Agency commission | usually paid by the developer on primary sales |
| Service charges | from handover – ask for the developer’s estimate per sq ft |
| Mortgage at handover (if used) | ~1% arrangement fee + valuation 2,500 – 3,500 |
Where people go wrong
The three most expensive mistakes we see on 50/50 plans: arriving at handover without the balance arranged, assuming a mortgage will cover the full 50%, and buying in a building that is 85% studios without checking how many identical units will be competing for the same tenants. None of those are hard to avoid once somebody points them out.
If a broker cannot show you the full payment schedule in dirhams, line by line, they are not close enough to the deal to advise you.
What to do next
Send us your budget, your timeline and whether this is for living in or letting out. You will get a shortlist with the numbers attached, and an honest note about which one we would drop.