In May 2025, the Dubai real estate market achieved unprecedented heights, with total sales reaching a staggering $18.2 billion, reflecting a remarkable uptick in investor confidence. This surge marks a significant milestone, with ready transactions quadrupling in value, showcasing an extraordinary demand for both ready and off-plan properties in the emirate. With a burgeoning population and increasing global interest, Dubai’s real estate landscape continues to flourish, drawing attention from local and international investors alike.
This extraordinary performance represents a 44 percent increase in value compared to the previous year, accompanied by a 6 percent rise in transaction volume.
The record-breaking figures highlight the growing trust from investors and consistent interest in ready and off-plan properties.
Dubai Real Estate in May 2025
The most significant contributor to this surge was the primary market, where ready transactions ballooned to AED 17.9 billion ($4.88 billion) across 2,400 deals. This reflects an impressive 314 percent increase in value and a 145 percent rise in volume year-over-year.
Simultaneously, secondary ready sales achieved remarkable highs, amounting to AED 24 billion ($6.55 billion) from 6,078 transactions, marking a 21 percent rise in value and an 8 percent increase in volume compared to May 2024.
Market Highlights
The primary market showed clear dominance, with off-plan and ready sales rising by 65 percent to AED 37 billion ($10.1 billion).
In the secondary market, transactions surged to AED 29 billion ($7.9 billion) across 8,471 deals, reflecting a 23 percent increase in value and a 15 percent rise in volume.
Business Bay emerged as a hotspot for premium investments, accounting for 5 percent of the total value from only 3 percent of transactions.
Al Barsha also recorded significant activity, representing 5 percent of total transactions.
A highlight of this month was a single land deal worth AED 1.5 billion ($409 million) in Palm Deira, illustrating strong institutional confidence in the long-term growth of Dubai’s real estate market.
Consumer Trends
In terms of consumer preferences, apartments remained the top choice for both renters and buyers, with 78 percent of rental searches and 60 percent of buyer interest centered around these properties.
Studios garnered 21 percent of rental inquiries but attracted just 15 percent of purchase interest.
One-bedroom units emerged as the most sought-after, with 38 percent of rental searches and 35 percent of buyer inquiries indicating a preference for larger spaces that promise long-term value and livability.
Expert Insight
Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, noted, “Just when we thought April was Dubai’s most significant month in terms of transaction value at AED 62.1 billion, May eclipsed this with AED 66.8 billion in transaction value. This underscores the sustainability of the trends driving current growth.”
Sleiman further remarked, “Dubai continues to lead real estate innovation by example, as evidenced by the recent launch of the region’s first licensed tokenized property investment platform by Dubai Land Department.”
He added, “With the remarkable growth in population this year, welcoming nearly 1,000 new residents each day—double last year’s daily visitor arrivals—demand for housing is poised to reach peak levels.”
“Against this backdrop, the real estate market is enjoying positive momentum, fuelled by digital transformation, international investor appetite, and a surge in demand for premium living.”
“Real estate leaders who participated in Property Finder’s recent roundtable are confident of transaction activity picking up throughout 2025, buoyed by unprecedented interest from international investors, alongside a strong off-plan performance and vibrant luxury resale activity.”
“These trends speak to the city’s enduring appeal and resilience, even amid global uncertainty.”