Sarah Chohaib is Managing Director of Lenddoo, a UAE digital mortgage brokerage. She leads the bank panel, pricing relationships and the online pre-approval platform that buyers use to compare offers from 18+ UAE lenders in about two minutes.
She writes the rate analysis, bank comparisons and buyer guides published here. Everything is grounded in live rate data and the transactions moving through the platform each month, not recycled market commentary.
Her focus areas are expat and non-resident lending, Islamic home finance, and the UAE regulatory framework — in particular the Central Bank 50% debt burden ratio cap and the loan-to-value limits that decide what any borrower can actually raise.
Articles by Sarah
Affordability
Highest rental yield areas in Dubai: a community-by-community look
6-8% gross yields appear in several Dubai communities — compare indicative rental yield ranges before you finance a buy-to-let.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Refinancing
Should you refinance a variable-rate mortgage in the UAE right now?
3 questions decide if refinancing a variable UAE mortgage pays off — run the break-even math before you switch to fixed.
28 August 2026 · 12 min read
Non-residents
A practical mortgage guide for Chinese buyers of Dubai property
Chinese residents financing Dubai property: SAFE remittance limits, documentation and 75% LTV rules explained in practical terms.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Process
Freehold vs leasehold in the UAE: what it means for your mortgage
99-year leasehold titles limit mortgage terms in the UAE — see how freehold vs leasehold status affects your financing.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Rates
Best commercial mortgage rates in Dubai for 2026
Commercial mortgage rates in Dubai typically run near 4.39%-4.89% in 2026 — compare LTV, DBR and fee structures.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Golden visa
Mortgage and the Golden Visa: buying UAE property to qualify
Can a mortgaged property qualify for the UAE Golden Visa? The AED 2 million threshold, bank NOC and step-by-step process explained.
18 August 2026 · 8 min read
Affordability
UAE mortgage age limits and how they shorten your term
Age 65 (salaried) or 70 (self-employed) usually caps your UAE mortgage term. See exactly how many years you have left to borrow.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Refinancing
Mortgage buyout in the UAE: when switching banks pays
How a UAE mortgage buyout works, what it costs, the timeline and when it pays off. Compare refinance rates across 18+ banks.
23 August 2026 · 8 min read
Non-residents
Best mortgage rates for non-residents buying UAE property in 2026
Non-resident mortgage rates in the UAE typically run near 4.09%-4.29% in 2026 — compare LTV, DBR and eligibility.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Expats
Mortgages in Dubai for expats: rates, eligibility and banks
Expat mortgage rules in Dubai: 20% deposit, 50% DBR, which banks lend and what pricing to expect. Compare expat rates free.
23 August 2026 · 8 min read
Process
Commercial mortgage eligibility in the UAE: who qualifies and which banks lend
50% DBR cap and 2-3 years of financials shape UAE commercial mortgage eligibility — check where you stand before applying.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Affordability
How much can I borrow? UAE mortgage affordability explained
How UAE banks size your loan: the 50% DBR cap, stress-test rates and LTV limits, with worked examples. Check yours in 2 minutes.
23 August 2026 · 10 min read
Costs & fees
Mortgage life insurance in the UAE: what it costs and covers
Is life insurance mandatory for a UAE mortgage? What it covers, decreasing vs level term, and how it affects your Debt Burden Ratio.
12 August 2026 · 7 min read
Costs & fees
Life and property insurance requirements for a UAE mortgage
Life insurance and property insurance are mandatory on nearly every UAE mortgage — see typical costs and what's actually covered.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Non-residents
A practical mortgage guide for Russian buyers of Dubai property
Russian buyers financing Dubai property face bank-specific compliance checks — see documentation, LTV and what varies case by case.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Affordability
Minimum salary for a mortgage in the UAE
The real minimum salary for a UAE mortgage, bank by bank, plus a salary-to-loan table at current rates. Check your limit free.
23 August 2026 · 9 min read
Rates
Standard Chartered UAE mortgage rates and eligibility criteria
Standard Chartered UAE mortgage rates typically run near 3.95%-4.05% in 2026 — compare eligibility, LTV and fees.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Pre-approval
Mortgage pre-approval in Dubai is step zero, not step three
What Dubai mortgage pre-approval is, how long it takes, what it costs and why unapproved buyers lose deals. Get pre-approved free.
23 August 2026 · 8 min read
Process
UAE mortgage requirements and the document checklist
Every document a UAE bank asks for, plus the eligibility rules behind them. Prepare once, get pre-approved in days.
23 August 2026 · 9 min read
Affordability
Does your bonus or housing allowance count toward a UAE mortgage?
Bonus and allowance income for UAE mortgages 2026: see what percentage banks actually recognise. Check your real borrowing power.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Refinancing
Equity release in the UAE: how much you can actually borrow
Equity release UAE explained: LTV caps, permitted uses, DBR impact and a worked example of how much you could release.
8 August 2026 · 8 min read
Non-residents
Buying property in Dubai as a non-resident: the full guide
75% LTV is available to non-residents buying Dubai property — see the full process, costs and mortgage rules for overseas buyers here.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Rates
Fixed or variable: choosing a UAE mortgage rate type
Fixed or variable in the UAE? How EIBOR, reversion margins and your holding period decide. Compare both over the full term.
23 August 2026 · 8 min read
Home loans
Best home loans in the UAE: how to actually compare them
Best home loans in UAE aren't the ones with the lowest headline rate. Compare fees, reversion rate and flexibility. AED 0 to you.
5 August 2026 · 8 min read
Non-residents
Buying in Dubai as a non-resident: the complete mortgage guide
Which UAE banks lend to non-residents, LTV caps, eligible countries and the remote process. Compare non-resident rates free.
23 August 2026 · 9 min read
Off-plan
Off-plan mortgages and post-handover payment plans in Dubai
50/50 and 60/40 plans dominate Dubai off-plan sales — see how post-handover payments interact with mortgage financing.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Rates
The lowest mortgage rate available in Dubai this month
3.89% is this month's lowest indicative Dubai mortgage rate — updated monthly. See the full comparison and how it moves.
28 August 2026 · 12 min read
Rates
How to actually get the best mortgage rate in Dubai
The best mortgage rates in Dubai go to borrowers who structure the file correctly. Here is what banks price on. Compare in 2 minutes.
23 August 2026 · 9 min read
Process
Manager's cheques in the UAE: what they are and how mortgages use them
1 bank guarantee makes a manager's cheque unrejectable. See how to get one and where mortgages in the UAE actually use them.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Calculators
Dubai mortgage calculator: how much can you borrow?
Work out your Dubai mortgage instalment and maximum loan using real bank rates, the 50% DBR cap and LTV limits. Calculate free.
23 August 2026 · 11 min read
Process
Getting a mortgage in Dubai: the step-by-step process
The full Dubai mortgage process, step by step: pre-approval, valuation, offer letter, transfer and fees. Get pre-approved in 2 minutes.
23 August 2026 · 10 min read
Rates
UAE mortgage rates: what banks are pricing this month
Indicative UAE mortgage rates by bank, fixed and variable, plus what actually moves your rate. Compare rates in 2 minutes.
23 August 2026 · 10 min read
Refinancing
What is a 0.5% rate cut actually worth on your UAE mortgage?
See exactly what a 0.5% rate cut saves by balance and rate gap — real monthly and lifetime savings tables, not guesswork.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Process
Hotel and hospitality asset finance in the UAE
50-55% LTV is typical on UAE hotel finance — see how operator agreements and RevPAR shape lending before you apply.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Non-residents
A practical mortgage guide for Pakistani buyers of Dubai property
Pakistani residents and overseas Pakistanis financing Dubai property: remittance rules, documentation and 75% LTV explained.
28 August 2026 · 12 min read
Rates
Mortgage rate lock in the UAE: what actually protects your rate
How mortgage rate lock works in the UAE: pre-approval vs Final Offer Letter validity, and how to protect your rate through completion.
29 July 2026 · 7 min read
Rates
HSBC UAE mortgage rates and eligibility criteria
HSBC UAE mortgage rates typically sit near 3.94%-4.04% in 2026 — see eligibility, LTV limits and fees before applying.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Rates
ADIB Islamic home finance rates and criteria
ADIB Islamic home finance rates in 2026 are indicatively near 3.97% — compare Ijara and Murabaha criteria before applying.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Self-employed
Which UAE banks actually lend to the self-employed
Self-employed mortgage banks UAE 2026: compare trade licence age, documents and indicative rates across the panel. Find your fit fast.
28 August 2026 · 12 min read
Off-plan
Off-plan mortgage in Dubai: how financing works before and at handover
Can you get a mortgage on an off plan property in Dubai? Oqood registration, LTV limits and how a handover mortgage works, explained.
22 July 2026 · 8 min read
Process
Conveyancing and trustee offices in Dubai, explained simply
Dubai has 20+ DLD trustee offices handling every property transfer. See what conveyancing actually covers and costs.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Rates
EIBOR and what it actually means for your variable mortgage rate
3 EIBOR scenarios modelled against a real mortgage payment — see how your variable rate could move, not a prediction.
28 August 2026 · 13 min read
Costs & fees
Early settlement fee in the UAE: how the 1% cap actually works
1% of your outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is lower — see worked examples and how partial settlement is calculated.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Process
Office space finance in Dubai: what buyers need to know
55-65% LTV is typical for office finance in Dubai — compare terms across 18+ banks before you sign a purchase agreement.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Process
How long a UAE mortgage really takes, day by day
30-45 days is the typical UAE mortgage timeline from application to disbursement — see the full day-by-day breakdown here.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Non-residents
A practical mortgage guide for Indian buyers of Dubai property
Indian residents and NRIs financing Dubai property: 8 documentation, remittance and tax-residency practicalities explained clearly.
28 August 2026 · 12 min read
Costs & fees
Property valuation in the UAE: how it works and what it costs
How UAE bank property valuations work, typical costs, and what to do if your valuation comes in below the purchase price.
15 July 2026 · 8 min read
Affordability
Can you get a mortgage in the UAE with an existing car or personal loan?
A car loan can cut your mortgage by 15% or more in the UAE. See how existing debt reduces borrowing and how to plan around it.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Rates
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) home finance rates and eligibility
DIB home finance profit rates typically run near 3.95%-4.05% in 2026 — see how Ijara pricing, LTV and fees compare.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Rates
ADCB mortgage rates and criteria
ADCB mortgage rates in 2026 are indicatively near 3.96% — see the criteria, fee stack and who ADCB typically suits.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Refinancing
Cashing out equity from your Dubai property: how it works
Equity release Dubai 2026: cash out up to 30% of your property value through a refinance. See LTV limits and a worked table.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Process
The UAE title deed and how mortgage registration works
0.25% of your loan plus AED 290 gets your mortgage registered on the title deed. See exactly how the process works.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Home loans
Home loan interest rate in Dubai: what you'll actually pay
Home loan interest rate in Dubai by bank, resident vs non-resident, and what really sets your rate. Compare 18+ banks free.
8 July 2026 · 9 min read
Rates
Emirates NBD mortgage rates and eligibility criteria explained
Emirates NBD's indicative 3.89% rate, LTV limits and eligibility explained, compared against 17 other UAE banks.
28 August 2026 · 12 min read
Affordability
Rent vs buy in Dubai: the real break-even numbers
Compare 5 years of renting against buying with a mortgage in Dubai — see the real break-even point, not just monthly cost.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Process
Warehouse and industrial property finance in the UAE
60% LTV is typical on UAE warehouse finance — compare industrial mortgage terms across 18+ banks before you commit.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Self-employed
Mortgages for freelancers and Golden Visa holders in the UAE
Freelance permit holders and Golden Visa investors can qualify for a UAE mortgage — see the documents, LTV and DBR rules that apply.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Affordability
What credit score do you need for a mortgage in the UAE?
580 is usually the minimum credit score most UAE banks want for a mortgage. See the score bands and how to fix a low one.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Self-employed
Self-employed mortgage in the UAE: how business owners get approved
Getting a self employed home loan in the UAE without a salary certificate: required documents, income assessment and how to strengthen your file.
1 July 2026 · 8 min read
Pre-approval
The UAE mortgage pre-approval process, start to finish
60-90 days is how long a UAE mortgage pre-approval typically stays valid — see the full process, timeline and document checklist here.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Rates
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) mortgage rates and eligibility, explained
FAB mortgage rates typically sit close to 3.94%-3.99% in 2026 — see eligibility, LTV caps and fees before you apply.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Rates
Mashreq Bank mortgage rates and criteria
Mashreq mortgage rates in 2026 are indicatively near 3.95% — compare criteria, fees and fit before applying with Mashreq.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Refinancing
When to refinance your mortgage in the UAE
When to refinance a mortgage in UAE: watch your reversion date, run the break-even maths, and see if switching is worth it.
27 June 2026 · 9 min read
Process
Dubai's property forms: NOC, Contract F, A, B and F decoded
4 core Dubai property forms explained in one place: NOC, Form A, Form B, Form F/Contract F. See who signs each and when.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Rates
Which UAE bank actually gives the best mortgage deal?
18 UAE banks compared on rate, fees and borrower fit — there's no single best bank, only the best fit. See the comparison.
28 August 2026 · 14 min read
Costs & fees
DLD fee calculator: what you'll actually pay to register a Dubai property
4% DLD transfer plus mortgage registration explained with a worked calculator table — see exactly what you owe at completion.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Rates
Will UAE mortgage rates drop? What actually decides it
Will UAE mortgage rates drop in 2026? See the Fed-to-EIBOR mechanism that decides it, and what a cut means for fixed vs variable borrowers.
24 June 2026 · 7 min read
Refinancing
The full cost of refinancing a mortgage in the UAE
Refinance fees UAE 2026: every cost itemised, from settlement caps to DLD, plus a break-even table. Work out your real switching cost.
28 August 2026 · 12 min read
Affordability
Debt Burden Ratio in the UAE: the 50% rule explained
50% of your income is the hard cap UAE banks apply to all debt. See how DBR is calculated and what counts against you.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Process
Commercial mortgages in the UAE: the complete guide
60% LTV, 15-year terms and 5.5%+ pricing shape UAE commercial mortgages — compare eligibility and 18+ bank offers now.
28 August 2026 · 12 min read
Process
Do UAE banks still ask for a security cheque on your mortgage?
1 undated cheque was once standard on every UAE mortgage — here's what banks require in 2026 after the 2022 decriminalisation and what replaced it.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Costs & fees
Dubai Land Department fees, explained in full
DLD fees in Dubai explained: the 4% transfer fee, 0.25% mortgage registration, trustee charges and Oqood costs for off-plan.
17 June 2026 · 8 min read
Self-employed
Getting a mortgage with a 1-year-old trade licence in the UAE
12 months of trade licence history can qualify you for a UAE mortgage — see which banks accept it and what documents you need.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
Refinancing
Current mortgage refinance rates across UAE banks, compared
8 UAE banks' indicative refinance rates from 3.89% compared side by side, plus a break-even savings table. Compare 18+ banks free in 2 minutes.
28 August 2026 · 13 min read
Rates
RAKBANK mortgage rates, criteria and who it suits
RAKBANK mortgage rates in 2026 start near 3.94% indicative — check criteria, fees and who this bank suits before you apply.
28 August 2026 · 9 min read
Process
When the bank values your property below the sale price
A low bank valuation can stall a UAE deal in days. See the 5 ways buyers close a valuation gap, with worked AED numbers. Get a second view free.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Affordability
How much mortgage can I get in Dubai on my salary?
AED 20,000 salary can unlock roughly AED 1.2M in Dubai. See the full salary-to-loan table and calculate your own limit.
28 August 2026 · 10 min read
Costs & fees
How much down payment do you need for a UAE mortgage?
20% for expats, 25% on higher-value homes, 50% for non-residents — see exact down payment tables and how to plan for one.
28 August 2026 · 11 min read
First-time buyers
First-time buyer mortgage in Dubai: your complete step-by-step guide
How to buy your first property in Dubai: down payment rules, total cash needed, and the exact steps from pre-approval to keys.
10 June 2026 · 9 min read
Home loans
Home loan vs mortgage in the UAE: is there really a difference?
Home loan vs mortgage in the UAE explained: conventional pricing vs Islamic home finance, Ijara, Murabaha and what actually differs.
3 June 2026 · 8 min read
Costs & fees
Mortgage fees in the UAE: the full cost breakdown
Every mortgage fee UAE buyers pay, itemised: DLD, registration, valuation, agency. See exactly how much cash you need to close.
31 May 2026 · 9 min read
Rates
EIBOR explained: how it sets your UAE mortgage rate
EIBOR drives every variable UAE mortgage rate. See how tenors, bank margins and reversion rates combine, with worked examples.
28 May 2026 · 8 min read
Process
2026 Best Mortgage Broker in UAE: Lenddoo Mortgages
Why Lenddoo is a leading mortgage broker in the UAE, offering transparent, technology-driven, commission-free advisory.
10 May 2023 · 3 min read
Calculators
Why you should use Lenddoo’s mortgage calculator
How Lenddoo's UAE mortgage calculator helps estimate payments, compare loan options, and plan your home purchase.
2 March 2023 · 2 min read
Process
Role of the Real Estate Registration Authority in home buying in Dubai
How the Real Estate Registration Authority (RERA) protects buyers and ensures transparency in Dubai property deals.
24 January 2023 · 2 min read
Process
Top Real Estate Agencies in Dubai
A curated list of Dubai's top-rated real estate agencies, covering residential, commercial, and off-plan property services.
28 February 2022 · 2 min read
Process
Top real estate agencies in Abu Dhabi
Reputable Abu Dhabi real estate agencies for buying, selling, renting, or managing residential and commercial property.
6 January 2022 · 3 min read
Process
How to choose a mortgage broker in Dubai and the UAE
Key factors to consider when choosing a mortgage broker in Dubai and the UAE, from credentials and fees to service range and reputation.
1 January 2022 · 2 min read