The Dubai property market has shown impressive growth, reaching AED 50.7 billion ($13.8 billion) in total transactions for August 2025. This surge is attributed to a remarkable 25 percent increase in off-plan sales, reflecting rising demand among investors and homebuyers. As the real estate landscape shifts, the findings underscore the vibrant momentum in Dubai’s real estate sector, making it a compelling destination for both investors and residents.
According to recent data from Property Finder, August 2025 saw 18,564 real estate transactions in Dubai, marking a 15 percent increase in the number of transactions and a 7 percent rise in overall value compared to the same month last year.
Driving this growth is the strong demand for off-plan properties, which experienced year-on-year transaction volume growth of 25 percent, along with an 11 percent increase in value.
Highlights of Dubai’s Real Estate Activity
Particularly notable were secondary off-plan deals, which reached AED 4.1 billion ($1.1 billion) across 1,978 transactions. This represents a striking 59 percent increase in transaction volume and a 69 percent rise in value compared to August 2024.
The primary market was the principal contributor to the month’s activity, with 12,106 deals completed—indicative of a robust 20 percent year-on-year increase. Off-plan projects had a dominant presence, accounting for 91 percent of all transactions in this segment.
Business Bay emerged as a standout area, contributing 11 percent to the total transaction volume and 12 percent to the total value, showcasing unprecedented growth of 377 percent in volume and 290 percent in value.
Dubai Investment Park also played a significant role, contributing 9 percent to both the overall transaction volume and value, underlining its importance in the market landscape.
Secondary Market Trends
In the secondary sales market, Dubai recorded AED 22.6 billion ($6.1 billion) across 6,458 transactions. This highlights a 15 percent increase in value and a 7 percent rise in transaction volume compared to the previous year.
Emerging communities have been pivotal in driving this growth, with Wadi Al Safa 4 experiencing a meteoric rise to AED 786 million ($214 million) in sales, a drastic increase from AED 26 million ($7 million) in August 2024. Similarly, Al Barsha South Fourth recorded a substantial 154 percent rise in value along with a 142 percent increase in transaction volume.
Shifting Preferences in the Housing Market
As the market dynamics evolve, apartments have emerged as the preferred choice among investors and tenants, accounting for almost 80 percent of rental searches and 59 percent of buyer interest. Notably, smaller units continue to dominate searches; studios make up 22 percent of rental interest while only attracting 16 percent of buyers, whereas one-bedroom units account for 36 percent of buyer searches and 40 percent of rental inquiries.
This trend indicates a shift in tenant behavior, as many look to transition into homeownership of more affordable properties to mitigate rising rental costs while securing long-term investment value.
Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, commented, “August’s figures offer a clear picture of Dubai’s real estate market strength, driven by an off-plan surge and bolstered by consistently healthy secondary activity.”
He also noted, “What’s remarkable this month is how neighborhoods like Business Bay and Wadi Al Safa 4 are outperforming the broader trend, demonstrating that both investor confidence and demand for emerging communities remain elevated.”
Sleiman further emphasized the importance of market signals, including Emaar’s announcement of a 33 percent increase in first-half profits, reflecting the ongoing demand in higher-end segments. He added that developers are bringing construction in-house to meet surging demand and ensure timely project delivery, affirming Dubai’s proactive approach in market stewardship and its enduring appeal for both end users and investors.
Dubai Property Market Overview – August 2025
| Indicator | August 2025 | YoY Change (vs Aug 2024) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Sales Value | AED 50.7bn ($13.8bn) | +7% | Market-wide growth |
| Total Transactions | 18,564 | +15% | Strong demand across segments |
| Off-plan Sales Volume | – | +25% | Off-plan values +11% |
| Secondary Off-plan | AED 4.1bn ($1.1bn), 1,978 deals | +59% volume, +69% value | Surging investor demand |
| Primary Market | 12,106 deals | +20% | 91% off-plan |
| Business Bay | 11% of volume, 12% of value | +377% volume, +290% value | Standout performer |
| Dubai Investment Park | 9% of total value & volume | – | Top performer |
| Secondary Market | AED 22.6bn ($6.1bn), 6,458 deals | +15% value, +7% volume | Stable and strong |
| Wadi Al Safa 4 | AED 786m ($214m) | From AED 26m ($7m) | Emerging hotspot |
| Al Barsha South Fourth | – | +154% value, +142% volume | Strong secondary growth |