Key Takeaways

Dubai’s property market delivered another blockbuster first half in 2025, setting fresh records in both sales volume and value. Here’s your essential, no-hype summary of how the market is performing—plus five-year trends by property type to give you the full story.

H1 2025 Overall Market Performance 

In the recent year-on-year real estate market update, the primary market recorded a volume of 64,907 transactions, reflecting a 26.5% increase compared to the previous year. The total sales value for this segment reached AED 209.18 billion, marking a 43.2% increase in value. The median price per square foot stood at AED 1,642.73, showing a modest rise of 1.7%.

The resale market also experienced growth, with 34,150 transactions, representing a 15.6% increase in volume. The sales value climbed to AED 119.78 billion, which is a 35% increase year-over-year. Interestingly, the median price per square foot in the resale market was AED 1,467.91, showing a more notable 10.9% rise.

Total sales across both primary and resale markets reached 99,057 transactions, up 22.5% from the previous year. The combined sales value totaled AED 328.88 billion, with a 40.1% increase in value. The overall median price per square foot across the market was AED 1,592.53, reflecting a 5.4% increase.

On the mortgage front, there were 24,618 transactions, indicating a significant 38% increase in volume. However, the sales value for mortgages stood at AED 83.38 billion, showing a decline of 7.9% year-over-year.

What the numbers say:

• Primary Market (off-plan/under-construction) remains the growth engine, driving both volume (+26.5%) and value (+43.2%) higher.
• Resale (secondary market) is heating up, with price per sqft up a strong 10.9%—reflecting end-user demand and scarcity for ready homes.
• Mortgages hit new highs in volume, but total value dropped, indicating either a trend toward smaller loans or a greater share of cash buyers.
  
  
  

Why H1 vs. H1? The Gold Standard for Dubai Market Clarity

Dubai real estate is seasonal: launches, holidays, and unique events can distort short-term data. Comparing H1 2025 to previous H1 periods (H1 2024, H1 2023, etc.) filters out the noise and gives you the truest, most actionable view of what’s really happening.

Five-Year Property Price Trends (H1 2025 vs Previous H1s)

Apartments

Primary Market

• Median price: up 1.5% (vs H1 2024), 11.1% (vs H1 2023), 7.4% (vs H1 2022), 41.8% (vs H1 2021), 18.2% (vs H1 2020)
• Median price per sqft: up 2.4% (vs H1 2024), 20.3% (vs H1 2023), 8.9% (vs H1 2022), 50.1% (vs H1 2021), 18.8% (vs H1 2020)
  
  

Resale

• Median price: up 1.7% (vs H1 2024), down 2.9% (vs H1 2023), up 12.4% (vs H1 2022), 26.3% (vs H1 2021), 72% (vs H1 2020)
• Median price per sqft: up 5.1% (vs H1 2024), 7.8% (vs H1 2023), 34.5% (vs H1 2022), 77.1% (vs H1 2021), 103.6% (vs H1 2020)
  
  

Expert Take:

Apartments are in a mature phase. Off-plan gains are moderate, while resale prices per sqft are still rising, especially in well-located, larger units. The era of wild double-digit jumps is over, but selective opportunities remain.

Villas

Primary Market

• Median price: down 4.1% (vs H1 2024), up 39.1% (vs H1 2023), 82% (vs H1 2022), 81.3% (vs H1 2021), 109.2% (vs H1 2020)
• Price per sqft: up 12.2% (vs H1 2024)
  
  

Resale

• Median price: up 12.4% (vs H1 2024), 22.1% (vs H1 2023), 31.1% (vs H1 2022), 41.6% (vs H1 2021), 50.6% (vs H1 2020)
• Price per sqft: up 21.6% (vs H1 2024), 49.9% (vs H1 2023), 78.5% (vs H1 2022), 106.1% (vs H1 2021), 163.6% (vs H1 2020)
  
  

Expert Take:

Villas led Dubai’s post-pandemic rally. The first decline in new villa prices is a sign of healthy normalization—buyers are choosier, and developers are focusing on more affordable inventory. Resale villas, especially in prime family areas, remain in high demand with impressive price per sqft growth.

Plots

Primary Market

• Median price: down 33.3% (vs H1 2024), down 14.7% (vs H1 2023), down 0.7% (vs H1 2022), up 51.6% (vs H1 2021), up 1.9% (vs H1 2020)
• Price per sqft: up 6.4% (vs H1 2024), up 25.1% (vs H1 2023)
  
  

Resale

• Median price: up 18.6% (vs H1 2024), 18.4% (vs H1 2023), 21.7% (vs H1 2022), 69.1% (vs H1 2021), 111.8% (vs H1 2020)
• Price per sqft: up 17.9% (vs H1 2024), 19.3% (vs H1 2023), 39.2% (vs H1 2022), 91% (vs H1 2021), 93.6% (vs H1 2020)
  
  

Expert Take:

Plot prices are volatile—down in the primary market after the previous years’ supply and speculation, but resale plots are still seeing strong demand and appreciation, particularly in established areas.

Commercial Properties

Primary Market

• Median price: up 28.1% (vs H1 2024), 79.5% (vs H1 2023), 82.2% (vs H1 2022), 186.5% (vs H1 2021), 275.9% (vs H1 2020)
• Price per sqft: down 15.8% (vs H1 2024), still up 18.1% (vs H1 2023), 70.1% (vs H1 2022)
  
  

Resale

• Median price: up 20% (vs H1 2024), 61.3% (vs H1 2023), 100% (vs H1 2022), 127.3% (vs H1 2021), 154.2% (vs H1 2020)
• Price per sqft: up 18% (vs H1 2024), 50.4% (vs H1 2023), 84.4% (vs H1 2022), 119.3% (vs H1 2021), 131.8% (vs H1 2020)
  
  

Expert Take:

Commercial property has outperformed most other sectors since 2020. While price per sqft in the primary market is cooling after an unprecedented surge, the resale market remains solid—especially in core business districts.

Buildings (Resale Only)

• Median price: up 1.5% (vs H1 2024), 33.6% (vs H1 2021)
• Price per sqft: up 20.9% (vs H1 2024), 100.6% (vs H1 2021)
  
  

Expert Take:

Buildings are a specialist investment, generally for institutional buyers. Growth remains strong for top assets, but the segment is less liquid and can be cyclical.

What This Means for Investors and Owners

• Dubai is now a market of micro-markets: Different property types are on different trajectories. Don’t generalize—do your homework on each segment.
• Pre-2021 buyers captured the biggest appreciation: If you’re entering now, expect sustainable (not explosive) growth and lower risk of price shocks.
• The biggest risk: Overpaying in segments that have already surged or trying to flip quickly in a mature, stable market.
• Where are the opportunities? Resale villas in established communities, secondary plots, and commercial spaces in proven locations remain the top picks.
  
  

The Bottom Line

Every number here is H1 2025 compared to previous years—seasonally adjusted and crystal clear.

If you’re serious about buying, selling, or investing, use this as your market compass. For micro-market or custom deep-dives by area, project, or property type, reach out for our H1 2025 reports.