How much cash do I need upfront to buy a AED 1.5 million flat?

With a mortgage, budget roughly AED 400,000-430,000. That is a 20% deposit (AED 300,000), the 4% DLD fee (AED 60,000), ~2% agency plus VAT (~AED 31,500), mortgage registration (~AED 3,300), valuation (~AED 3,000), a bank arrangement fee, trustee (AED 4,200) and title/NOC fees. Paying cash removes the deposit and loan costs but you still fund the full price plus ~6-7% in fees. That breakdown assumes a RESALE. On off-plan and direct-from-developer purchases the developer covers our fee, so you pay us nothing - drop the ~2% agency line and budget the 4% DLD fee plus a developer admin fee of roughly AED 1,000-6,000 instead. (Figures as of 2026-08-04 - confirm with your agent.)