By Isaac Newton, Real Estate & IP Consultant June 4, 2025 Dubai’s real estate market has officially broken all records with a staggering AED 66.8 billion in transactions across 18,700 deals in May 2025, according to new data released by Property Finder. This impressive achievement solidifies Dubai’s position as a global real estate powerhouse, reflecting a significant 44% year-over-year surge in transaction value and a 6% increase in volume. Dubai real estate market
The market’s success is largely driven by the strong growth in ready transactions, spanning both the primary and secondary market segments. In particular, primary ready sales reached AED 17.9 billion, showing a 314% increase in value over last year, with 2,400 transactions and a 145% growth rate. Meanwhile, secondary ready sales also set new records, with AED 24 billion in transaction value, marking a 21% year-over-year increase and an 8% growth in transaction volume.
Key Market Trends and Insights
- Dominance of the Primary Market: The primary market continues to show impressive growth, with both ready and off-plan sales rising by 65% year-over-year, reaching a total of AED 37 billion in May 2025. This surge highlights Dubai’s continued appeal for new developments and fresh investments.
- Resilience of the Secondary Market: The secondary market has remained resilient, recording AED 29 billion in transaction value, a 23% increase from the previous year, and 8,471 transactions. The strong performance in the resale market further underscores sustained demand for properties across various price ranges.
- Strategic Investment Hotspots: Business Bay has emerged as a premium investment destination, capturing 5% of the total primary market transaction value, despite accounting for only 3% of the transaction volume. Al Barsha also showed strong market appeal, securing 2% of total value and commanding 5% of transaction volume. Notably, a major AED 1.5 billion land deal in Palm Deira demonstrates continued institutional confidence in Dubai’s real estate growth.
Shifting Consumer Preferences
Consumer behavior has remained stable over the past year, with apartments representing 78% of rental searches and 60% of buyer interest. While smaller units such as studios attracted 21% of rental searches, buyers still show a clear preference for larger units like one-bedroom apartments, indicating a focus on long-term value and investment potential.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Dubai Real Estate
Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, commented on the impressive figures: “With May surpassing April’s remarkable AED 62.1 billion in transaction value, the market’s growth is clearly sustainable. Dubai continues to lead in real estate innovation, highlighted by initiatives like the region’s first licensed tokenized property investment platform launched by the Dubai Land Department. The growing population, with nearly 1,000 new residents arriving each day, further drives demand for housing and fuels the positive momentum in the market.”
As Dubai’s real estate market continues to thrive amid global uncertainty, international investors and local buyers alike remain confident in its resilience and long-term growth prospects. The city’s focus on digital transformation and luxury properties will ensure that it remains at the forefront of the global real estate landscape.