Betterhomes data shows 44 percent of its residential sales were cash deals in Q3, up from 36 percent in Q2, and banks are expected to tighten affordability stress tests after the central bank's September rate rise.
Cash buyers accounted for 44 percent of Betterhomes' residential sales in Dubai in the third quarter, up from 36 percent in the second, while mortgage-funded purchases slipped from 64 percent to 56 percent and remain the majority.
The UAE Central Bank raised its base rate from 3.65 percent to 3.90 percent with effect from 17 September and held it on 28 October. Adriaan Rossouw, head of mortgages at Lomond, Betterhomes' financing platform, called the move modest and does not expect big changes to standard fixed-rate products, though banks are likely to raise the stress-test rates they use for eligibility, which could trim borrowing limits. Buyers who had not reached the final offer letter by the end of October may receive revised offers.
Across the whole market the cash share is far higher because off-plan homes sold on developer payment plans dominate sales: Hamptons puts it at about 83 percent in December 2025 and about 76 percent in March 2026.
المصدر: Khaleej Times
