Dubai First-Time Home Plan Drives AED3.25bn Property Sales

Dubai’s First-Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Programme is rapidly transforming the city’s property market, helping more than 2,000 residents purchase their first homes in just six months and generating over AED3.25 billion in residential sales, according to the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

Launched in July 2025, the initiative was jointly developed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Land Department to make homeownership more accessible to residents of all nationalities and income levels. The Programme brings together government entities, leading developers, and financial institutions to offer first-time buyers priority access to new projects, preferential pricing, and specially designed mortgage solutions.

Since its launch, the Programme has attracted strong interest across the emirate, with more than 41,000 residents registering. Notably, 49 per cent of the homes purchased were bought by residents who have lived in Dubai for more than five years but had never previously owned property — highlighting the Programme’s role in helping long-term residents put down permanent roots in the city.

The initiative aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033, and supports the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033. It also contributes to the UAE’s Year of Community by strengthening social stability and encouraging long-term settlement.

The Programme has already delivered strong results across participating developers and all five partner banks, with tailored mortgage solutions seeing high uptake among first-time buyers. This coordinated approach has helped turn long-standing demand into actual home purchases, widening access to ownership for thousands of residents.

Driving confidence and long-term growth

Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), said the strong response reflects Dubai’s collaborative spirit and clear long-term vision.

“The First-Time Home Buyer Programme shows what can be achieved when government, developers and financial institutions work together. It is turning the dream of homeownership into reality for thousands, while also strengthening investor confidence and accelerating the real estate sector’s contribution to the wider economy,” he said.

He added that by supporting social cohesion and talent retention, the initiative is helping stimulate long-term demand and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global model for sustainable urban development.

Majid Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at Dubai Land Department, said the Programme has become a key pillar in maintaining the strong momentum of Dubai’s property market in 2025.

He noted that total real estate transactions this year have reached AED917 billion, underlining the sector’s robust performance and growing investor confidence. “The strong interest in the Programme shows its success in converting latent demand into real transactions. It is a practical example of how regulatory support and strategic partnerships can simplify the homeownership journey and strengthen trust and transparency in the market,” he said.

Changing lives, one home at a time

For many residents, the Programme has been a turning point.

Fatma Almarri, a first-time buyer, said owning a home once felt out of reach. “On a single income, it always seemed distant. This Programme made the process simpler and more realistic, and it has given me greater confidence in my financial future.”

Another beneficiary, Jade Lee, described her purchase as life-changing. “I grew up in a family that moved from one rental to another. Owning my own home now gives me stability and a foundation for the future.”

More choice ahead

As the Programme continues to expand, more developers and partners are expected to join, offering buyers a wider range of properties and locations to choose from. Officials say this will further strengthen Dubai’s end-user market and ensure that homeownership remains within reach for more residents.

By deepening resident participation in the property market and supporting long-term community building, the First-Time Home Buyer Programme is shaping a more inclusive, stable and future-focused real estate sector — one that supports Dubai’s growth ambitions while helping families and individuals build lasting lives in the city.