Dubai Real Estate Market Sales performance-April 2025

Dubai’s real estate market sustained its record-breaking momentum through April 2025, achieving unprecedented sales figures that underscore the emirate’s position as a global investment powerhouse.

With demand surging across both off-plan and ready property segments, April’s performance solidified Dubai’s trajectory toward becoming the world’s most dynamic real estate hub.

April 2025 Market overview

April 2025 delivered historic results, building on the record-setting first quarter:

• Total Sales Volume: 17,878 transactions

• Total Sales Value: 62.09 Bil AED

This represents a 53.29% year-over-year (YoY) increase in volume and a 91.87% YoY surge in value, marking the highest April performance in Dubai’s history. The month’s growth outpaced even the robust Q1 2025 trends, driven by intensified investor confidence and new project launches from developers.

Market Segment Analysis

Off-Plan Properties - Dominated market activity

Off-plan developments continued to drive growth, accounting for 65.2% of April’s sales volume (11,648 transactions) and 60.8% of total value (AED 37.75 billion).

Key trends include:

YoY Value Growth: +133.01% compared to April 2024

Prime Locations: Dubai Marina (28% share), Downtown Dubai (22%), and Dubai South (18%)

Developer Incentives: Flexible payment plans with low monthly installments accelerated buyer participation

The off-plan segment’s success reflects buyer confidence in Dubai’s long-term growth narrative, particularly in mixed-use communities offering integrated amenities.

Ready Properties - Premium Asset Appreciation

Ready transactions reached 5,167 deals (34.8% share) valued at 16.03 Bil AED, with notable characteristics:

• Average Price/Sq.Ft: 1,723 AED (+6.3% YoY)

• Luxury Focus: Beachfront villas traded at 40-45% premiums versus inland properties

• Key Transaction: 340 Mil AED villa on Palm Jumeirah, the month’s highest-value sale

Secondary market activity surged as investors capitalized on immediate occupancy opportunities and rising rental yields.

Check out our research article on key considerations for buying off-plan vs ready properties in Dubai.

Popular Areas: Emerging and Established Hotspots

Key areas such as JVC, Business Bay, Dubai South have been hotspots for investments.

The percentage share of overall transactions volume by asset class* in February:

Apartments 76 %

Villas and Townhouses 18 %

Commercial properties 2 %

Land plots 3 %

Market Trends and Insights

Investor Demographics: Global Capital Inflows

April 2025 saw diversification in buyer nationalities:

• Russian Investors: 24% share of luxury purchases (>AED 10M)

• Indian Nationals: 18% of total transactions, focusing on mid-market apartments

• Nigerian Buyers: 12% surge in commercial property investments

• French Nationals: 9% increase in villa acquisitions

The UAE’s Golden Visa program remains pivotal, with 68% of international buyers citing residency benefits as a key motivator

Price Dynamics and Supply Constraints

Despite delivering 7,200 new units in Q1 2025, supply shortages persist:

Villa Deficit: Demand outstrips supply by 31% (28,700 units sought vs. 19,700 planned)

Apartment Pipeline: 80% of 2025–2029 supply targets urban mid-market segments

Price Impact: Villa prices rose 8.2% month-over-month (MoM), with further 10–12% growth projected for 2025

Dubai provides a mix of advantages for foreign investors aiming to enter the property market, including:

• Freehold property ownership and Zero property tax

• Zero personal income tax or capital gains tax, or withholding tax

• lowest corporate income tax rate of 9%

• 100% foreign business ownership

• 100% repatriation of capital investment and total profit earned

• 10-year investor Golden Visa

• Investor-friendly policies providing foreign investment protection

• One of the world’s top tourist centers

Latest news and initiatives

Dubai Land Department launched Real Estate Tokenization Project in collaboration with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), Dubai Future Foundation and the Central Bank of the UAE. DLD as the first real estate registration entity in the Middle East to adopt blockchain-based tokenization, enabling fractional ownership, expanding access to a diverse pool of stakeholders, and shaping a smarter city.

The 21st edition of International Property Show (IPS 2025) was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The exhibition hosted over 300 local and international exhibitors from 85 countries and is expected to be welcomed more than 25,000 visitors.

Dubai approves new urban initiatives to boost infrastructure, mobility under Dubai 2040 master plan. Among the projects approved in 2024 is the ‘Dubai Walk’ master plan, which will introduce 6,500 Km of pedestrian pathways across 160 areas.

Conclusion

Dubai’s April 2025 performance (62.09 Bil AED in sales) cements its status as the world’s most resilient luxury market. With supply-demand imbalances creating value appreciation opportunities and regulatory frameworks enhancing transaction efficiency, the market offers unmatched potential for strategic investors.

As Dubai advances toward its 2040 Urban Master Plan, stakeholders prioritizing off-plan diversification and sustainability-aligned assets will lead the next growth phase.

Source: Dubai Land Department; DXB Interact, Dubai Media Office