First Home Buyer Guide in Saudi Arabia 2026

Your First Home in Saudi Arabia — Where to Start

Buying your first home in Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. The process can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into clear steps makes it manageable. This guide covers everything from saving your deposit to collecting the keys.

Saving for Your Deposit

Most lenders in Saudi Arabia require a deposit of 10-30% of the property price. The more you save, the better your loan terms and the less you pay in additional costs.

Register on the Sakani portal early to check eligibility. Build savings for any portion above the REDF maximum. Maintain a clean SIMAH (credit bureau) record. Stable employment and salary assignment capability are required

Government Support for First-Time Buyers

Sakani provides free land allocation and REDF profit-free financing up to SAR 500,000 — essentially a zero-interest loan. This is one of the most generous housing programmes in the world for nationals. Eligibility depends on marital status, age, and property ownership history

Check our government grants guide for the full list of current programmes and eligibility requirements.

Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Pre-approval tells you exactly how much you can borrow and shows sellers you are a serious buyer. In Saudi Arabia, the process works as follows.

Check REDF eligibility through the Sakani portal first — this is always the best option for Saudi nationals. For the commercial portion, compare offers from SNB, Al Rajhi Bank, and Riyad Bank. Some banks offer combined REDF + commercial packages

Use our mortgage calculator to model different scenarios before applying. Read our mortgage types guide to understand which loan product suits your situation.

Understanding the Full Cost of Buying

The purchase price is just the beginning. Budget for additional costs that can add significantly to your total outlay.

RETT (Real Estate Transaction Tax) of 5% of the property value. Read our buying costs guide for a complete breakdown of every expense.

Common First-Time Buyer Mistakes

Not checking Sakani/REDF eligibility first (missing out on profit-free financing), not understanding the salary assignment (tahweel) requirement which limits banking flexibility, rushing into off-plan purchases without verifying developer registration, and not comparing across multiple banks for the commercial portion

Avoid these pitfalls by taking your time, doing thorough research, and leaning on qualified professionals throughout the process. Our property inspection checklist covers what to check before committing.

Your Step-by-Step Timeline

The typical first home purchase follows these stages: establish your budget and savings target, explore government support options, get pre-approved for financing, search for the right property, make an offer, complete legal due diligence and inspections, and finalise settlement.

Our property buying guide walks through each stage in detail, and our mortgage guide covers everything about financing.

Next Steps

Ready to start? Use our mortgage calculator to see what you can afford, browse Saudi Arabia FAQs for quick answers, or explore our full property buying guide.