Dubai Real Estate Market Review 2nd-Jul-2025
Dubai South real estate faces airport noise concerns. Driven Properties opens Dubai’s largest real estate office. GCC REIT assets are projected to rise from $11.2 billion in 2025.
Dubai’s equity benchmark gains 10.6% so far this year
Dubai’s DFM General Index rose 4.1% in June to 5,705.76, driving a 10.6% YTD gain, led by materials (+21.9%) and industrials (+10.8%). Trading volumes jumped 54.6%. Real estate transactions hit AED 66.8 billion in May. Abu Dhabi’s ADX gained 2.8% in June (5.7% YTD).
Why the UAE’s real estate market is becoming a global wealth magnet
UAE real estate has become a top destination for global investors and HNWIs, driven by strategic policies, residency reforms, a tax-free environment, Golden Visa benefits, robust infrastructure and high rental yields. It offers affordable luxury, digital innovations like tokenization and crypto transactions, reshaping global wealth migration.
Dubai Holding enters strategic agreement with Select Group to develop landmark projects at Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai Design District
Dubai Holding, with JV partner ESIC, signed its first third-party land sale at Palm Jebel Ali with Select Group to develop luxury waterfront residences and hospitality, and to build a vibrant mixed-use community in Dubai Design District, reinforcing Dubai’s appeal as a global lifestyle and investment hub.
Dubai South real estate faces airport noise concerns
Airports can often cause unwanted problems for residential properties in its vicinity due to increased noise levels.
Driven Properties opens Dubai’s largest real estate office following landmark AED 505mln acquisition
Driven | Forbes Global Properties opened its 43,000 sq. ft Downtown Dubai HQ, the city’s largest real estate office, after acquiring Emaar Square Building 3 for AED 505 million. Designed for collaboration and talent development, it underpins the firm’s advisory-led strategy and complements its Dubai tier-1 city benchmarking report.
How Dubai’s Smart Rental Index helps residents negotiate unfair rent hikes
Since its January 2025 launch, Dubai’s Smart Rental Index has empowered tenants to contest unjustified rent hikes, reducing proposed increases from 25% to 10% and blocking 15% jumps, triggering downward rent corrections in older buildings via the DLD’s comprehensive property evaluations.
In Abu Dhabi, Aldar buys more logistics assets for hefty Dh530 million
Aldar Investment paid Dh530 million for logistics and commercial assets at Almarkaz Industrial Park in Al Dhafra, adding 182,500 sqm of near-full-occupancy space to its portfolio and positioning for future collaboration with Waha Land.
Home reimagined: The rise of the digital buyer in the UAE
Dubai’s real estate is undergoing digital transformation driven by global digital-native buyers and PropTech innovations: from $265.9 bn in sales to virtual transactions, AI, blockchain, and smart homes. Government support via digital title deeds and the PropTech Hub accelerates platform-driven, personalized, sustainable, community-focused living experiences.
Dubai’s real estate tokenization gets apartment from Ellington Properties
Ellington Properties has launched blockchain-based tokenization of a Kensington Waters unit in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, enabling fractional ownership from Dh2,000. Backed by new Dubai Land Department rules, this broadens investor access to real estate, with more developers poised to adopt tokenized offerings.
Real estate investment trusts are moving to centre stage
UAE REITs are maturing with Dubai Residential REIT’s Dh14.3 billion IPO oversubscribed 26 times, offering 7–8 % yields. Transparency, Shariah-compliance, and robust regulation fuel growth. GCC REIT assets are projected to rise from $11.2 billion in 2025 to $16.7 billion by 2030, despite rate and diversification challenges.
Abu Dhabi: Modon launches plot sales ‘close to city’s most exclusive areas’
Modon’s Wadeem on Hudayriyat Island has unveiled over 1,700 plots for four- to six-bedroom villas, its first land release near Al Bateen in 15 years, available to all nationalities, offering bespoke coastal living and prime investment potential.
Dubai real estate: Low-risk investment hub with strong FDI growth
Dubai’s real estate drew Dh52.3 billion in FDI in 2024 (14%), with 217 000 deals worth Dh526 billion and 110 000 new investors (+55%). Q1 2025 saw Dh239 billion across five emirates. Long-term visas, the Dubai 2040 plan, and Metro-led rent gains fuel institutional mixed-use demand, while mid-income affordability and financing remain challenges.
Dubai Real Estate Transactions as Reported on the 1st of July 2025
On 01 July 2025, Dubai’s total real estate transaction value reached AED 1.891 billion. Off-plan properties accounted for 65.5% (AED 1.239 billion), while ready assets contributed 34.5% (AED 652 million) of the total volume.
Category | Off-Plan (AED millions) | Ready (AED millions) |
Flats | 1,059.0 | 422.5 |
Villas | 150.0 | 180.3 |
Hotel Apt. & Rooms | 11.0 | 7.9 |
Commercial | 19.3 | 40.9 |
Total | 1,239.4 | 651.7 |
Off-Plan Market Performance
Off-plan sales totalled AED 1.239 billion, led overwhelmingly by flats:
- Flats: AED 1.059 billion (85.4% of off-plan)
- Villas: AED 150.0 million (12.1%)
- Hotel Apartments & Rooms: AED 11.0 million (0.9%)
- Commercial: AED 19.3 million (1.6%)
Ready Market Performance
Ready transactions reached AED 652 million, with a balanced mix:
- Flats: AED 422.5 million (64.8% of ready)
- Villas: AED 180.3 million (27.7%)
- Hotel Apartments & Rooms: AED 7.9 million (1.2%)
- Commercial: AED 40.9 million (6.3%)
On The Micro Level
Market Insights
Off-plan activity again led the month, driven by strong flat uptake that underscores ongoing demand for new launches. The ready sector’s villa share of nearly 28% highlights enduring interest in established family homes, while commercial deals outpaced hotel room transactions. Looking ahead, developers can sustain momentum by continuing to roll out high-volume off-plan flats and by fine-tuning ready-market offerings, particularly villas and commercial units, to match evolving investor and end-user needs.
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