Dubai Residential Property Transactions Hit $147.39bn in 2025

Dubai’s residential real-estate market delivered another landmark performance in 2025, with transaction values rising 27% year-on-year to approximately $147.39 billion (AED 541 billion). The strong growth highlights sustained buyer confidence, robust end-user demand, and Dubai’s continued appeal as a global property investment destination.

Strong Growth Across Residential Segments

The surge in transaction value reflects heightened activity across:

• Apartments and villas

• Off-plan and ready properties

• Prime, mid-market, and emerging communities

Both investors and end-users contributed to the growth, supported by competitive payment plans, rising population levels, and improved market transparency.

Off-Plan Sales Drive Market Momentum

Off-plan properties played a central role in Dubai’s residential expansion during 2025. Developers launched a wide range of projects catering to different buyer profiles, helping maintain high absorption levels.

Key drivers of off-plan demand included:

• Flexible post-handover payment plans

• Attractive entry prices compared to ready homes

• Confidence in developer delivery and project timelines

• Long-term capital appreciation potential

This sustained off-plan activity underscores trust in Dubai’s future residential supply pipeline.

Ready Homes and End-User Demand Remain Strong

While off-plan sales led growth, ready properties also performed well, driven by:

• Buyers seeking immediate occupancy

• Rising rental costs encouraging homeownership

• Limited availability of villas and townhouses in established communities

End-user participation helped stabilise pricing and reduced market volatility, reinforcing Dubai’s transition toward a more mature residential market.

International Buyers Continue to Fuel Demand

Foreign investors remained a key pillar of Dubai’s residential market in 2025. The city continued to attract global buyers due to:

• Investor-friendly regulations

• Long-term residency and Golden Visa programmes

• Tax-efficient ownership environment

• Strong rental yields compared to global cities

High-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and relocating professionals contributed significantly to transaction volumes.

Luxury Segment Supports Record Values

Dubai’s luxury residential sector continued to outperform, with strong demand for:

• Waterfront villas

• Branded residences

• Ultra-prime apartments in central and coastal locations

Limited supply in prime communities helped support price appreciation and record transaction values across the high-end segment.

Market Outlook: Entering 2026 with Confidence

As Dubai moves into 2026, analysts expect the residential market to maintain healthy momentum, though price growth may moderate. Key fundamentals supporting the outlook include:

• Continued population growth

• A controlled supply pipeline

• Strong economic diversification

• Sustained international investor interest

The market is increasingly driven by real demand rather than speculation, signalling long-term stability.

Conclusion

Dubai’s 27% surge in residential real-estate transactions in 2025 reflects the city’s strong fundamentals, diversified demand, and global investor confidence. With transaction values reaching $147.39 billion, Dubai enters 2026 as one of the world’s most active and resilient residential property markets.