Finance update · Checked 24 September 2026 · 3 min read
Can you mortgage the final 50% of an off-plan property before handover? For eligible buyers in three named Dubai Holding communities, there is now a route to financing once half the price has been paid, regardless of construction progress. It still requires the bank’s approval.
The useful change is timing. If your next developer instalment arrives before the building is ready, access to finance could ease that cash requirement. The question to settle is whether the bank will release funds in time for your payment date.
Which projects does the September announcement cover?
Dubai Holding Real Estate’s 15 September 2026 announcement names Palm Jebel Ali, The Acres and Nad Al Sheba Gardens. Eligible buyers can access ADCB financing after paying 50% of the property value to the developer, irrespective of construction progress.
The announcement also describes pre-approvals valid for up to 18 months. Other Nakheel, Meraas and Dubai Properties communities have access through prescribed construction milestones. The three-project exception should not be assumed to apply across the whole portfolio.
Before changing your cash plan, get confirmation for the exact project, phase and unit. Our off-plan mortgage guide explains the wider approval process.
What would that mean on an AED 2 million purchase?
Assume the buyer has paid AED 1 million towards a property priced at AED 2 million. A further AED 1 million remains. ADCB’s current off-plan page describes financing of up to 50% of property value for eligible customers; the amount approved for an individual buyer can be lower.
Illustration only. Financing the full balance depends on approval. Fees and other buying costs sit outside this split.
If the bank approves AED 900,000 instead, the buyer needs another AED 100,000 for the purchase balance. This is a funding-gap example, not a lending quote. Keep buying costs separate and match the expected release date to the developer’s payment schedule.
Is Emaar’s arrangement the same?
ADCB’s 29 July 2026 announcement with Emaar Development describes pre-approval for up to 50% of property value, initially valid for 12 months and renewable annually until handover. Its stated purpose includes financing handover payments.
That announcement does not give every Emaar buyer the same construction-independent access described for the three Dubai Holding communities. For a purchase in Dubai Hills Estate or another Emaar community, ask ADCB to confirm the current product and disbursement conditions for your unit.
An initial lending assessment with an expiry date.
The bank confirms the amount and remaining conditions.
The payment happens under the agreed release terms.
What should you get in writing?
- The eligible unit, approved amount and how the bank determines property value.
- Which instalments it will fund, and what must happen before each release.
- The pre-approval expiry date and renewal requirements.
- The rate at drawdown, repayment start date and payments after any fixed-rate period.
- Fees, insurance and the cash needed if approval or construction is delayed.
Keep your project and escrow checks alongside the finance review. A mortgage arrangement does not replace checking what you are buying.
Our view: a useful finance offer is one you can place against every dated instalment. If a payment still has no confirmed funding source, keep that gap in your cash budget.
Check your payment plan before reserving
Tell Seven Stones the project, price, amount already paid and next instalment date. We can help you review the property and prepare the questions for your lender. The bank decides mortgage eligibility and approval.
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