According to Property Finder, 18,700 transactions totaling AED66.8 billion ($18.2 billion) in property sales occurred in the Dubai real estate market in May 2025.
It represents a 6 percent increase in transaction volume and a 44 percent increase in value year over year.
Growing investor confidence and ongoing interest in both ready and off-plan properties are reflected in the record-breaking performance.
Dubai real estate in May 2025
Primary ready transactions, which quadrupled in value year over year to reach AED17.9bn ($4.88bn) across 2,400 deals—a 314 percent increase in value and a 145 percent increase in volume—were the main driver of the dramatic spike.
In the meantime, secondary ready sales also reached all-time highs, reaching AED24 billion ($6.55 billion) in 6,078 transactions, up 8% in volume and 21% in value from May 2024.
Market highlights:
- Primary market dominance: Off-plan and ready sales increased by 65% to AED37 billion ($10.1 billion).
- Secondary Market Resilience: Transactions climbed to AED29 billion ($7.9 billion) over 8,471 deals, up 23% in value and 15% in volume.
- Business Bay dominated premium investments, accounting for 5% of total value from just 3% of transactions.
- Al Barsha experienced substantial transaction volume, accounting for 5% of deals.
- A single land sale in Palm Deira worth AED1.5 billion ($409 million) demonstrated institutional confidence in long-term growth.
Consumer trends:
- Apartments remained the leading choice for both renters and buyers. 78% of rental searches and 60% of buyer interest were for apartments.
- Studios generated 21% of rental searches but only 15% of purchasing interest.
- One-bedroom units dominated demand, accounting for 38% of rentals and 35% of buyer searches, indicating that purchasers choose larger spaces for long-term value and liveability.
Expert insight
Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, said: “Just when we thought April was Dubai’s most significant month in terms of transaction value at AED62.1 bn, May eclipsed this with AED66.8 billion in transaction value. This underscores the sustainability of the trends driving current growth.
“Dubai continues to lead real estate innovation by example, as evidenced by the recent launch of the region’s first licensed tokenised property investment platform by Dubai Land Department.
“With the remarkable growth in population this year, welcoming nearly 1,000 new residents each day – double of 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”.