The Dubai real estate market continues to demonstrate robust growth as we analyze the data from the first quarter of 2025. The number of transactions has surged significantly, rising from 28,153 in Q1 2023 to an impressive 42,273 in Q1 2025. This notable increase not only reflects heightened investor confidence but also underscores a sustained demand for residential properties across the region.
One of the key areas to watch in 2025 is The Valley, which is set to hand over 638 townhouses this year. This community has distinguished itself by offering some of the highest returns on equity in the affordable housing sector, making it a compelling option for investors seeking value. Current market dynamics indicate that demand for townhouses in The Valley remains equal to the available supply, creating a balanced market scenario. Notably, potential buyers are increasingly searching for specific features, with the most sought-after units being brand new, corner townhouses, those with pools, and single-row properties.
In addition to the overall transaction growth, Q1 2025 also saw significant off-plan launches, including the luxurious Oasis Address Branded Villas (ranging from 4 to 6 bedrooms at AED 13 million), Albero Dubai Creek Harbour apartments starting at AED 1.8 million, The Wilds by Al Dar with 3 to 5-bedroom options priced at AED 5.1 million, and the Ostra Palace at The Oasis by Emaar, which also launched at AED 13 million. These projects further enhance the market’s appeal, catering to a diverse range of buyers and investors looking for high-quality real estate options.
Residential Off Plan and Secondary
All prices should not be considered definitive indicators of the market, as this report reflects the average values in Dubai. The pricing for off-plan properties is contingent upon the projects that have been registered, which typically occurs approximately 90 days after the reservation, rather than at the time of launch.
Total Sales Transactions – Total Value – Average Sale – Price per sq ft
Q1 – 2023 – 28,153– AED 70,035,720,779– AED 2,487,682– AED1,485
Q1 – 2024 – 34,335 – AED 88,305,788,036 – AED 2,571,888 – AED 1,715
Q1 – 2025 – 42,273 – AED114,147,878,768– AED 2,700,255 – AED1,754
The average sale price has increased from 2023 – 2025, in the same period, by 8.54%, and the number of transactions has increased in the same period by 50%.
Total Secondary Transactions Apartments – (ready properties (not from Developer/resale)
9,446 apartments were sold with an average price of AED1,773,869 and, an average price per sq ft AED1,580 on an average sq ft of 1,031, with one-bedroom apartments taking a 40.8% major share of the market. 18.3% of transactions priced between AED500,000-750,000..
Share of transactions by Area:
JVC 10.5%
Dubai Marina 7.5%
Business Bay 6.9%
Downtown 6.6%
Townhouses
1,700 resale transactions were townhouses with an average price of AED3,335,983, the average price per sq ft AED1,354 with 3-bedroom townhouses taking a 47% share of sales, 39% of sales were between AED3,000,000-AED5,000,000.
Share of transactions by Area:
Damac Lagoons – 15.1%, Damac Hills 2 – 10.4% – Al Furjan 6.8%, Emirates Living 6.7%, Villanova 5.6%
Villas
1,183 transactions were villas with an average price of AED11,825,745 (13% increase from Q3 2024). 4 bedroom villas took the majority of sales, 39.6% with a average price of AED9.469.741. 86.9% of transactions were AED3,200,000+.
Damac Hills 2 – 5.8%, Al Furjan 5.5%, Emirates Living 5.2%, Damac Hills 5%, The Valley 4.8%, Jumeirah Golf Estates 4.7%.
Off-Plan Market (Initial Sales/Registrations by Developer)
It is important to note it is hard to judge the off-plan sales, as we only see visibility once the properties have been registered with Oqood which could be up to 2 months after the actual sale. This may throw off some of the figures but by reporting a quarter review we should see the data more accurate than a monthly report. For example: Creek Waters in Creek Habour launched 31st March and registrations are showing 26th June 2023.
25,325 total off plan registrations compared to 16,839 re sale registrations.
18,735 registrations were apartments, with an average price of AED1,895,602 and an average price per sq ft of AED1,926 (a 28.6% increase from Q3, 2024), an average sq ft built-up area of 925 sq ft. 24.1% of apartments were studios, 43.5% of were 1-bedroom apartments, 25.9% 2-bedroom apartments. 27.8% of properties registered were in the AED1-1.500,000 bracket, 18.4% between AED2-3,000,000.
Jumeirah Village Circle 9.9%, Dubai Residential Complex 7.4%, Business Bay 7.2%, EXPO City 5.3%, Dubai Production City 4%.
Townhouses
4,387 townhouses were registered, with an average price of AED2,865,543 with an average of 2,460 sq ft built up area, 4 bedroom townhouse sales were 59.1% share and 3 bedrooms with a 26.3% share. 46.3% of sales were between AED2,000,000 and AED3,000,000.
Damac Islands 24.9%, Damac Hills 2 – 20.8% The Valley 12% – Villanova 11.3% – Reportage Village 6.8%
Villas
2,203 transactions were villas with an average price of AED8,538,284, 4,626 sq ft average built-up area, 46.6% were 4 bedroom villas, 19.3% for 5 bedroom and 22.3% 3 bedroom. 81.5% of villas were sold above AED3,200,000.
The Valley – 30.4% – Palm Jebal Ali – 14.4% – Damac Islands 10.9% – Villanova 9% – Nad Al Sheba – 8.4%
Supply Increase
In line with the 2040 vision of increasing population, green spaces and sustainability across the region developers have been launching some unprecedented projects this year with amazing facilities, lifestyle, and end-user mindset at the forefront.
2025 – 81,084 properties are expected to be handed over, 2,121 are still under the status of launch and a further 22,426 units are 20% or under in completion status so are unlikely to complete by the end of the year.
This will contribute to a stabilization of supply, which is a positive indicator for the market through the end of the year. The majority of the supply is located in JVC, an area that is heavily supplied but also experiences strong demand, helping to sustain that demand.
The supply which is expected to be handed over by year against demand:
JVC – 7,652 apartments – Demand slightly more supply than demand 3% lower leads than listings, but the largest search trend keyword is brand new, ready to move and vacant giving the new supply the most demanded.
Al Furjan – 696 apartments – 246 villas, 440 townhouses – Over all the area received more leads to the % of listings online, for apartments, most buildings received more leads than availability by double. There is 40% more inquiries than properties for the villa/townhouse sector, with brand new being a top key word along with, pool, vastu, standlone.
Arabian Ranches 3 – 859 villa and townhouses – Current demand aligns closely with supply levels, meaning that the new supply will either attract additional buyers alongside those already interested, or we may encounter a slight oversupply, which could help properties maintain their market prices.
The Valley – 638 – Townhouses – The Valley has seen some of the highest returns on equity in affordble housing that any other project. Demand remains equal to the supply currently on the market, with brand new, corner, pool, single row being the most searched for units,
Damac Lagoons – 5,637 villa/townhouses, as this is a new project demand is not available,
Emaar Beachfront – 824 apartments – Demand 2025 to date, 20% more searches than listings, 15% more leads than listings.
Business Bay – 5,312 apartments, currently the community is stable with equal amount of supply than demand, highest ranking searches are for burj khalifa view, ready to move, brand new and canal view.
2026 – 96,500 properties are expected, 82,732 apartments mainly in Arjan, Business Bay, City Walk, Dubai Creek Harbour – Damac Lagoons and Dubai Hills will have the majority share of villas handing over. Villa communties will be Damac Hills 2, Damac Lagoons , Arabian Ranches 3.
2027 – 84,979 properties are expected, 16,000+ villas and townhouses in Damac Lagoons, Damac Hills 2, Nad Al Sheba and The Valley.
2028 – 45,480 properties are expected, in Dubai Harbour (Beachfront), Maritime City, and Al Sufouh, Damac Lagoons, Dubai Hills Estate.
Demand Q1 – 2025
Apartments
According to datafinder.com, Dubai Marina has been the most searched area with a 9.8% share of searches, JVC 9.1%, Downtown Dubai 8.5%, Business Bay 7.6%, and Palm 4.6%.
The most searched keywords for apartments, in order, are – Ready to Move, Installment, Freehold, Distress, Brand New, High Floor.
Townhouses/Villas
Dubai Hills Estate 6.6% share of searches, Dubai Land 5.7%, Palm Jumeirah 5.1%, Al Furjan 5%, Akoya 4.5%
The most searched keywords for townhouses and villas, in order, are – pool, corner, single row, upgraded, brand new, distress, vacant.
data compiled by Laura Adams using propertymonitor and datafinder