Dubai Real Estate Market May 2025: Record-Breaking AED66.8 Billion in Property Transactions
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Dubai’s real estate market has marked yet another record-breaking month in May 2025, according to the latest market performance highlights released by Property Finder, the MENA region’s leading property portal. Property transactions in Dubai reached an impressive AED66.8 billion across 18,700 deals, revealing a robust and thriving market. This performance reflects a 44% year-on-year surge in transaction value and a 6% increase in volume, underlining the city’s continued investor confidence and strong appetite for property investments.
Strong Demand in Ready Property Sales
The remarkable growth was fueled by heightened demand in both primary and secondary ready transactions. Primary ready sales quadrupled in value from May 2024, hitting AED17.9 billion through 2,400 transactions, marking a 314% increase in value and 145% rise in volume. Secondary ready sales also broke records, totaling 6,078 transactions worth AED24 billion, translating to 8% and 21% year-over-year growth in volume and value respectively. These figures affirm sustained demand in Dubai’s resale market and highlight the city’s long-term resilience, even during times of global economic uncertainty.
Secondary Market Reaches New Peak
Overall, the secondary sales market in Dubai reached a new high in May 2025, clocking in at AED29 billion in value from 8,471 transactions. This represents a 23% increase in value and 15% increase in volume year-over-year, further validating the market’s strength and liquidity in the resale segment.
Key data highlights:
Primary market continues its dominance: Overall, primary ready and off-plan sales skyrocketed, rising by 65% year-over-year to reach AED 37 billion in May 2025.
Dubai’s Investment Hotspots
Strategic investment activity continued across key areas. Business Bay emerged as a top-tier investment destination, contributing 5% of total primary transaction value, despite only representing 3% of total volume, suggesting a high concentration of sophisticated, high-value deals. Al Barsha also stood out for its broad appeal, accounting for 2% of value and 5% of transaction volume, demonstrating strong demand across various pricing tiers.
A standout transaction was a AED1.5 billion land deal in Palm Deira, showcasing deep institutional trust in Dubai’s growth potential. Other communities like Wadi Al Safa 3, Business Bay, and Al Barsha witnessed robust resale activity, reinforcing investor confidence in the city’s evolving real estate narrative.
Shifting Consumer Preferences
Consumer behaviour remained consistent over the last year, with apartments dominating rental and purchase searches. Apartments comprised 78% of rental inquiries and 60% of buyer interest. Studio apartments were especially popular among renters, capturing 21% of rental searches, but only 15% of buying interest. On the other hand, one-bedroom units garnered 35% of buyer searches and 38% of rental inquiries, indicating a buyer preference for slightly larger living spaces—likely driven by livability, long-term value, and investment return considerations.
Industry Leader Perspective
Commenting on the trends, Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, noted, “Just when April marked a record AED62.1 billion in transactions, May exceeded expectations with AED66.8 billion. This not only demonstrates the sustainability of market growth, but also showcases Dubai’s leadership in real estate innovation, such as the Dubai Land Department’s launch of the region’s first licensed tokenized property investment platform.”
He added, “With Dubai’s population growing rapidly—adding nearly 1,000 new residents daily, double last year’s pace—demand for housing continues to rise. The market’s momentum is being driven by digital transformation, a surge in global investor interest, and the increasing demand for premium living spaces. Feedback from Property Finder’s latest roundtable with real estate experts indicates ongoing confidence in the market’s performance, with expectations for continued growth through 2025, thanks to a strong off-plan segment and flourishing luxury resale activity.”
These elements together reflect Dubai’s resilience, future-readiness, and unparalleled attractiveness amid global volatility.
Access to Real-Time Market Insights
To stay updated with the most accurate market data, users can explore Data Guru by Property Finder, available via their official website or mobile apps on Google Play and the Apple Store.
About Property Finder
Property Finder is a pioneering digital platform in the MENA region’s real estate sector, known for transforming property search and sales through cutting-edge technology. With a mission to “change living for good,” the platform connects millions of property seekers with professional real estate agents and developers across the region.
Since its establishment in 2007, Property Finder has evolved into a trusted resource for buyers, sellers, and renters, and has played a critical role in shaping the regional real estate ecosystem. As a beacon in the tech landscape, the company is empowering informed decision-making and redefining how people experience property in the MENA region.
