Dubai: New restrictions on mortgages is putting off property buyers in Dubai, realty experts told XPRESS.
The mortgage credit for expats has been capped at 50 per cent for the first property and 40 per cent for the second and subsequent units, according to a Central Bank circular issued to banks on December 31, 2012.
For Emiratis, the cap is 70 per cent for the first unit and 60 per cent for subsequent homes.
Manoj Gur of Blue Water Real Estate said: “This is definitely going to put the brakes on the real estate growth in Dubai. The end-users are comfortable with an LTV (loan to value) lending ratio of 70 per cent. Capping it at 50 per cent will make it very tight for buyers. The Central Bank must ease the capping ratio to at least 70 per cent. The interest was picking up in the market. but now the investors are disappointed.”
Craig Plumb, Head of Research, MENA, Jones Lang LaSalle reckons the lending restriction could have a negative impact.
“This is a positive move in the long-term. However, for people looking to buy properties immediately, this could have a negative impact,” he said. “It could cause a slowdown in real estate growth this year. Properties with high or low price tags find cash buyers, but mid-priced ones ranging between Dh2 million and Dh5 million are likely to be the worst hit.”
The fears may have already come true for Indian expatriate Ramesh Talwar who owns three homes in Dubai — a three-bedroom apartment in Jumeirah Lakes Tower (JLT), a three-bedroom townhouse in The Lakes and a two-bedroom apartment in Dubai Silicon Oasis, all of which have mortgages.
When the real estate market started to pick up Talwar decided to sell them and buy a large four-bedroom property in Jumeirah Park. Now he has to put off the idea completely. “It’s hard to find a buyer who can cough up 50 per cent down-payment. For now, I have decided to hold onto my investments, sit tight and hope for things to change,” he said.
Change of plans
Even investors like Sathish Kendra who got a pre-approval for 70 per cent lending are reluctant to buy. “My mortgage was approved just days before the Central Bank’s new regulation. But I am not interested anymore,” said Kendra.
“The lending restriction will have a major impact on the property market. Not many people would want to put large amounts of money in real estate. I have shelved my plans for now,” he said.
Most banks XPRESS spoke to confirmed they have started abiding by the new lending regulation.
