The real estate landscape in the UAE is experiencing an unprecedented surge, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi property sales hitting a remarkable $52.8 billion in Q3 2025. According to recent findings from Property Finder, the leading real estate platform in the MENA region, robust investor confidence and a significant influx of new residents are fueling this record-breaking performance. The data not only highlights the exceptional financial metrics but also unveils the top neighborhoods driving this growth.
Abu Dhabi Sets New Benchmark
Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector achieved a historic milestone, with total sales transactions increasing by an impressive 76 percent year-on-year to reach 7,154. The overall value of these transactions rose a staggering 110 percent, amounting to AED 25.3 billion ($6.9 billion). This remarkable growth reflects a robust demand for properties, bolstered by improved liquidity and the emirate’s strategic focus on sustainable, master-planned developments in line with the Abu Dhabi 2030 urban diversification agenda.
In fact, the residential sector dominated the market, comprising 96 percent of all transactions. Specifically, 6,883 residential sales transactions generated AED 23.3 billion ($6.3 billion), marking a 107 percent year-on-year increase.
Off-Plan Dominance
Driving this exceptional performance, off-plan sales accounted for a substantial 73 percent of Abu Dhabi’s total sales volume and 68 percent of its total value. The off-plan sector saw a remarkable year-on-year value increase of 136 percent, accumulating AED 17.3 billion ($4.7 billion), with residential sales making up an astounding 99 percent of this figure.
High-value deals in new developments like Fahid Island (Aldar) and Al Hidayriyyat Island (Modon) represented approximately 30 percent of the total off-plan residential sales value. Notably, off-plan apartments led the market with transaction values soaring by 276 percent, while volumes rose by 198 percent, highlighting an early-stage investor inclination towards vertical living. Off-plan villas and duplexes also saw significant increases, with values rising by 68 and 424 percent, respectively.
Ready Market Recovery
The ready property market in Abu Dhabi similarly witnessed a strong recovery, recording a total sales value of AED 8 billion ($2.2 billion)—a 71 percent year-on-year increase resulting from 1,940 transactions. Residential-ready sales specifically surged by 15 percent in volume and 56 percent in value, reaching AED 6.1 billion ($1.7 billion). This growth was primarily driven by the popularity of locations such as Al Reem Island and Al Raha Beach, which feature a high density of apartments that boost move-in activity.
Dubai Maintains Global Lead
Meanwhile, Dubai’s property market recorded significant gains, achieving all-time highs in Q3 2025 with 59,044 transactions—an increase of 17 percent year-on-year. The total value of these transactions climbed to AED 169 billion ($46 billion), reaffirming Dubai’s status as a secure investment haven bolstered by continuous foreign inflows and robust population growth.
Off-Plan Drives Momentum
Similar to trends observed in Abu Dhabi, off-plan sales were pivotal in propelling Dubai’s record performance, with 40,108 transactions representing a 26 percent year-on-year rise—68 percent of the total market volume. The value of off-plan sales reached AED 82.9 billion ($22.6 billion), marking its highest level on record, up 23 percent from the previous year.
Certain districts remained central to this success, with Business Bay generating approximately AED 7.4 billion ($2 billion) in sales driven by new project launches, while rising demand for master-planned community investments emerged in Al Barsha and Dubai Islands.
Value-Driven Demand Shapes Ready Market
The ready sales sector in Dubai accounted for 32 percent of overall transactions, with 18,936 deals completed—an increase of 2 percent from the previous year. The total value in this segment rose by 16 percent to AED 86.1 billion ($23.5 billion), reflecting a shift toward premium assets driven by value-focused investments.
This inclination towards value was evident in well-established areas such as Wadi Al Safa 3, which saw transactions of over AED 7 billion ($1.9 billion) in land sales. Additionally, Business Bay continued to attract high-net-worth buyers with its ultra-luxury resales, while both Palm Jumeirah and Marsa Dubai (Dubai Marina) collectively exceeded AED 6 billion ($1.6 billion), showcasing sustained global interest in waterfront properties.
UAE Real Estate Seen as Global Safe Haven
According to Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, the outstanding performance in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi supports the UAE’s standing as one of the most resilient and appealing property markets worldwide. “Abu Dhabi is setting new benchmarks with sustainable, master-planned communities that resonate with buyers, while Dubai’s shift towards value-driven demand illustrates a maturing market where long-term stability is prioritized,” Sleiman remarked.
“Together, these trends underscore the UAE’s strength as a global safe haven for real estate investment.”