Dubai Real Estate Sales Climb To Aed 326.7 Billion In H1 2025: What's Driving It
Dubai's real estate market reached a new high in the first half of 2025. From January to June, the city saw AED 326.7 billion worth of property sales. That's nearly 40% more than the same period last year. It also marks one of the strongest performances ever recorded in the city's real estate history.
This surge isn't just about numbers. It shows how Dubai is attracting more buyers—both local and global. Families, investors, and even first-time homebuyers are looking at Dubai not just as a place to live, but also as a smart place to grow their money. Let's break down what's happening—and why it matters.
- Total Sales Value (Jan–Jun 2025): AED 326.7 billion
- Total Deals: 98,603 properties sold
- Q2 2025 Alone: AED 184 billion from 53,118 deals
- Compared to Q2 2024: Sales value jumped by 25%
This includes everything—from small apartments to luxury villas, plots of land to commercial buildings. Even under-construction homes like BNW La Perlain Al Marjan Island are gaining strong interest from early buyers looking for lifestyle-driven investment.
Families are still looking for more space. In H1 2025, villa sales jumped to AED 118.5 billion, a 65% increase from last year. Over 20,000 villas were sold.
Apartments brought in AED 144.2 billion in sales, with over 73,500 deals. Apartments remain the top pick for young buyers and those looking to earn rental income. Projects like BNW La Perla, which offers spacious 1, 2, and 3 BHK waterfront apartments starting at AED 2.3M, are part of this trend.
Plot sales shot up to AED 35.5 billion—almost 200% more than last year. That's a sign that developers and investors are planning for the future.
Office and retail properties saw modest growth, with AED 3.6 billion in sales.
Most buyers are still choosing off-plan homes (projects under construction), which made up nearly 69% of total sales in early 2025. Developers offering easy payment plans and attractive pre-launch prices are helping drive this.
But ready homes also saw strong demand. These homes had 46% more value in sales compared to last year, showing that many buyers want something they can move into right away.
Ultra-luxury homes—those priced over AED 10 million—are on the rise. More than 3,700 such properties were sold in H1 2025. In fact, one villa in Emirates Hills sold for a record AED 425 million.
This segment made up 4% of total sales, showing that wealthy buyers are choosing Dubai for safe, high-end living. Luxury waterfront homes like BNW La Perla also fit into this category of lifestyle-driven investments.
- More Millionaires Are Moving In: Nearly 9,800 new millionaires are expected to relocate to the UAE in 2025. Many are choosing Dubai for its safety, luxury, and easy access to global markets.
- Population Is Growing Fast: Dubai's population is expected to cross 4 million by the end of this year. That's a big jump, and it means more demand for housing.
- Strong Economy: Dubai's economy is growing steadily. Jobs in tech, finance, and tourism are pulling more people into the city.
- Friendly Government Policies: Things like the Golden Visa, no income tax, and the new First Home Buyer Program are giving buyers more confidence and better access to financing.
- Soaring Rents: Rental prices have gone up—by 15% for villas and 6.7% for apartments in just one year. This is pushing many people to buy instead of rent.
Dubai remains a favorite for both locals and global buyers. In H1 2025:
- Indians were the largest group of foreign buyers (22%)
- British nationals followed at 17%
- Chinese buyers made up 14%
- Saudi and Russian investors also showed strong interest
Many of them are looking for value, high returns, and future-ready projects like BNW La Perla, which combines luxury with investment potential.
- Oversupply Risk: Over 70,000 new homes are expected by end-2025. This might slow price growth in some areas.
- High Asking Prices: Some sellers are demanding more than the market is willing to pay, especially in the resale segment.
- Rising Costs: Construction prices are going up, which may affect new project timelines.
- Global Factors: Any economic slowdown elsewhere could also affect buyer decisions in Dubai.
Experts predict that the market will keep growing, albeit at a steadier pace. Buyers are expected to consider outer communities and mid-range options, while developers will concentrate more on quality and design. Additionally, there is increasing interest in digital property platforms and the use of cryptocurrency for real estate transactions.
Dubai's property market has had an impressive start in 2025. The record AED 326.7 billion in sales shows strong investor trust and growing demand for all kinds of homes. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, Dubai continues to offer something for everyone.
And with thoughtfully designed waterfront projects like BNW La Perla on Al Marjan Island entering the market, the second half of the year is shaping up to be just as exciting.