Dubai, UAE: Dubai’s real estate market has sustained its strong momentum into 2025, recording AED 142.7 billion in total sales for Q1—its second-highest quarterly performance on record. This marks a substantial 30.3% year-on-year growth in sales value, alongside a 22.8% increase in transaction volume, reaching 45,485 deals.
According to a market update by fäm Properties, Q1 results trailed only slightly behind the record-setting Q4 2024, which saw AED 147.2 billion in sales across 50,218 transactions. Notably, all real estate sectors experienced robust year-on-year growth, led by an exceptional 193.8% surge in plot sales, reaching AED 35.5 billion from 2,926 transactions.
Sector-Wise Performance
- Villa Sales: Up 43.1% to AED 41.3 billion (8,369 transactions)
- Apartment Sales: Increased by 12.6% to AED 62.3 billion (32,884 transactions)
- Commercial Sales: Gained 25.2% to AED 3.6 billion (1,212 transactions)
The rising property values were underscored by a Q1 median price of AED 1,563 per sq. ft., reflecting a steady climb from AED 889 in 2021 to AED 1,497 in 2024.
Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, commented: “These figures reaffirm the resilience and strength of Dubai’s real estate market, reinforcing its status as a prime global investment hub. The sustained upward trend continues to attract international investors while meeting strong local and regional demand.”
Over the past five years, Dubai’s Q1 property sales have demonstrated consistent growth:
- 2020: AED 21 billion (9,800 transactions)
- 2021: AED 24.6 billion (11,600 transactions)
- 2022: AED 54.6 billion (20,200 transactions)
- 2023: AED 89 billion (31,100 transactions)
- 2024: AED 109.5 billion (37,000 transactions)
Top Performing Areas in Q1 2025
- Jumeirah Village Circle: 3,605 transactions | AED 4.559 billion
- Wadi Al Safa: 3,596 transactions | AED 7.642 billion
- Business Bay: 2,782 transactions | AED 7.265 billion
- Dubai South: 2,676 transactions | AED 8.745 billion
- Dubai Marina: 2,583 transactions | AED 9.284 billion
The most expensive property sold in Q1 was a luxury villa in Dubai Hills Estate, fetching AED 140 million, while the priciest apartment sale reached AED 116 million at The Rings 1 in Jumeirah Second.
In terms of price brackets:
- 31% of transactions (14,242 sales) were valued between AED 1-2 million
- 26% (11,899) were under AED 1 million
- 19% (8,567) ranged between AED 2-3 million
- 15% (6,837) were between AED 3-5 million
- 9% (3,939) exceeded AED 5 million
Additionally, developer-first sales continued to dominate, comprising 65% of total transactions in volume and 61% in value, compared to the secondary market’s 35% and 39%, respectively.
Dubai’s real estate sector remains a key driver of economic growth, with its strong performance in Q1 2025 further solidifying the emirate’s position as a global property investment hotspot.