REFINANCE, EQUITY RELEASE & BUYOUT
Already have a mortgage? Pay less, or unlock the cash in your home.
If your fixed rate is ending, or your property has grown in value, you may be paying more than you need to. We compare 19+ UAE banks to cut your monthly payment, switch lenders, or release equity. No fee to you.
We work with the UAE's leading lenders, giving you whole-of-market access to 19+ banks
+ more lenders
A representative selection of the UAE lenders we compare.
When refinancing makes sense
Refinancing means moving your existing mortgage onto a better deal, either with your current bank or a new one. For many UAE owners, the biggest moment is when an introductory fixed rate ends and the loan reverts to the bank's standard variable rate, which is often well above what the market offers today.
You do not have to accept the reversion rate. A whole-of-market review takes a few minutes and tells you, honestly, whether switching is worth it. Sometimes the answer is no, and we will say so. When it is yes, the saving over the remaining term can be significant.
Equity release and cash-out, explained
Equity is the share of your home you actually own, the property's current value minus what you still owe. As you pay down your mortgage and as UAE property prices move, that equity grows. Equity release, sometimes called cash-out or an equity loan, lets you borrow against it without selling.
In practice, a new bank repays your existing mortgage and lends you a larger amount based on a fresh valuation. The difference, after costs, is paid to you as a lump sum. People use it for home improvements, school fees, a deposit on a second property, business capital, or to consolidate more expensive debt.
Property value
AED 1,800,000
Fresh valuation sets the ceiling.
Indicative LTV
80%
Resident guide, varies by lender.
Current balance
AED 950,000
Existing mortgage is repaid first.
Potential equity
AED 490,000
Before fees and bank assessment.
How a buyout between banks works
A buyout is simply the mechanism that lets one bank take over your mortgage from another. The new lender settles your outstanding balance directly with your current bank, your title and mortgage registration are transferred, and you start fresh on the new, better rate.
You do not manage the handover yourself. Your advisor coordinates the liability letter from your existing bank, the new bank's offer, the valuation, and the transfer at the relevant land department. Most of the friction people fear, paperwork between two banks, sits with us, not you.
The key numbers to watch are your current bank's early settlement fee, the new bank's fees, and the land department transfer cost. We add these up against your monthly saving so you can see the real break-even point, not just a tempting headline rate.
Warning: You may have to pay penalties if you pay off your financing early.
تحذير: قد تضطر إلى دفع غرامات في حال قمت بسداد التمويل مبكرًا.
- The new bank repays your current balance directly, you do not need the cash
- Your mortgage registration and title transfer are handled for you
- We obtain the liability/settlement letter from your existing lender
- A fresh valuation sets the amount the new bank will lend
- Typical timeline is a few weeks from application to completion, indicatively {{4 to 6 weeks}}
See what you could save
Enter your current balance, your rate, and your remaining term, and we will estimate your new monthly payment and total saving against today's indicative market rates. It is a guide, not a quote, your real numbers depend on a fresh valuation and the lender's assessment, but it shows you quickly whether a conversation is worth your time.
Indicative monthly saving
AED 1,600
That's about AED 19,200 a year, before fees.
Illustrative figures only - your saving depends on your balance, rate and term.
Costs and break-even, in plain numbers
A lower rate only helps if the saving outweighs the cost of moving. We are upfront about every fee so there are no surprises. The main costs to weigh are the early settlement fee on your current loan, the new bank's processing and valuation fees, mortgage registration, and the land department transfer fee.
Warning: You may have to pay penalties if you pay off your financing early.
تحذير: قد تضطر إلى دفع غرامات في حال قمت بسداد التمويل مبكرًا.
The figures below are indicative and vary by lender and emirate, so treat them as a planning guide and confirm the exact amounts before you commit. We total them against your monthly saving to find your break-even, the point at which the switch has paid for itself. If you are likely to keep the property well beyond break-even, refinancing usually makes sense. If you might sell soon, it may not, and we will tell you.
Break-even maths
A lower rate only helps if the saving beats the switching cost.
Use this layout wherever the page explains fees: each line is scannable, and the final number gets the visual weight.
How it works
A refinance, equity release, or buyout follows the same simple path with Upscore. You stay informed at every step, and your advisor does the chasing.
01
Check savings
Model your current rate against the market.
02
Choose goal
Lower rate, release equity, consolidate debt or combine them.
03
Arrange switch
We coordinate valuation, liability letter and offer.
04
Start saving
New bank settles the old loan and you move rates.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about refinancing, equity release, and buyouts in the UAE. If yours is not here, ask your advisor.
Find out what you could save
Tell us a little about your current mortgage and one of our advisors will come back with a clear, no-obligation view of your options.
Check your eligibility
See which UAE banks can lend to you in about 2 minutes
- Which lenders are likely to approve you
- Your estimated borrowing range
- Indicative rates for your profile
- A dedicated advisor to take it from here
FAQ
Questions, answered
Can I refinance with my current bank instead of switching?
Often, yes. Some banks will offer an internal re-rate to keep you, which avoids transfer fees and a fresh valuation. We always check whether staying put on a renegotiated rate beats moving, and we will recommend whichever leaves you better off.
How much equity can I release from my UAE home?
It depends on a fresh valuation and the lender's maximum loan-to-value, indicatively up to {{80}}% of the property's value for residents. The cash you can take out is roughly the gap between your current balance and that ceiling, less costs. Your advisor will give you a realistic figure before any application.
Will refinancing hurt my credit score?
A new application involves an AECB credit check, which is normal and expected. Refinancing itself does not damage your standing, and clearing a higher-rate debt can help. We assess your AECB position early so there are no surprises at the application stage.
What is the early settlement fee on my existing mortgage?
Most UAE banks charge an early settlement fee when you repay or move a mortgage, indicatively up to {{1}}% of the outstanding balance and often capped. The exact figure is in your loan agreement and your bank's liability letter. We confirm it before recommending a switch and include it in your break-even calculation.
Warning: You may have to pay penalties if you pay off your financing early.
تحذير: قد تضطر إلى دفع غرامات في حال قمت بسداد التمويل مبكرًا.
How long does a buyout between banks take?
Typically a few weeks, indicatively {{4 to 6 weeks}} from application to completion, depending on valuation timing and how quickly your current bank issues the liability letter. Your advisor coordinates both banks and the land department so the process keeps moving.
Is there a fee for Upscore's help?
No. There is no fee to you. The bank pays us when your mortgage completes. That means our advice on whether to refinance, release equity, or simply stay put is impartial.
Can I refinance an Islamic (Sharia-compliant) home finance?
Yes. We work with Islamic lenders including Dubai Islamic Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and can move you between conventional and Islamic products, or keep you within a Sharia-compliant structure, depending on your preference.
Could you be paying less? Find out in 2 minutes.
Share your current rate and balance, and we will tell you honestly whether refinancing, releasing equity, or a buyout makes sense for you. No fee to you, ever.