Choosing whether to buy or rent your home is a difficult decision, but we can help you decide which could be the better option for you, with some of the main advantages and disadvantages of buying and renting.
Once you've paid off your mortgage, you'll own your home outright. And if property prices have risen, it could be worth more than what you originally paid for it.
Because it's your home, you can do exactly what you want with it. If you want to decorate, extend or refurbish it, you don't have to ask a landlord's permission. Don't forget, you might need planning permission for any structural changes to your home.
As per the Central Bank of the U.A.E regulations, when you're buying your first property to live in, you need to make a down payment of at least 20% if you're a UAE national, or 25% if you're a resident expat.[@mortgages-footnote-1]
So if you're buying a home worth AED 700,000, you'd need a down payment of AED 140,000 if you're a UAE national, or AED 175,000 if you're a resident expat. It takes time and commitment to save a large lump sum.
The extra fees and expenses can soon add up, so you'll need to factor these into your budget. They include, home loan arrangement fees, valuation fees, title deed registration fees and moving costs.
You won't get any financial return on your money as your rent is essentially going to the landlord. So, you won't benefit from any potential increase in property's value in the future.
There's no guarantee that your rent will stay the same as your landlord has the right to review and increase your rent in the future.
Many landlords will only offer tenancy agreements of 6 to 12 months at a time. If they decide to sell, they'll give you sufficient notice, meaning you'll need to find somewhere else to live.
