Dubai Real Estate Hits Dh51.1 Billion in August: Momentum Builds Across Apartments, Commercial, and Plots
Dubai property market notched another milestone in August, recording Dh51.1 billion in sales value — a 7.9% year-on-year increase — alongside 18,678 transactions, up 15.4% from the same month last year. The performance underscores the city’s enduring appeal to both end-users and investors, even during the traditionally quieter summer period. According to the latest update from fäm Properties, the apartment segment led activity by a wide margin, while commercial and plots also strengthened. Villas saw fewer deals, but price performance remained resilient with higher average values per square foot.
Apartments Lead: Dh30.2B in Sales and Nearly 16,000 Deals
Apartment sales were the headline driver, with Dh30.2 billion in transactions and 15,900 deals — a 29.2% year-on-year surge in volume. Demand continues to cluster in well-connected master communities where lifestyle amenities, schools, and retail are already established or rapidly improving. Investors chasing liquidity and steady yields are gravitating toward apartment stock in hubs such as Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Business Bay, while value hunters are increasingly exploring high-growth zones like JVC and Dubai Silicon Oasis. The robust off-plan pipeline continues to complement ready inventory, giving buyers a wide choice of entry points and payment structures.
Commercial and Plots: Activity Broadens Beyond Residential
DXBinteract data shows commercial property sales at Dh1.2 billion in August, with volumes up 20.4% year-on-year to 442 transactions. The appetite for Grade-A offices and income-producing retail remains healthy, supported by company formations and relocations into the UAE. Meanwhile, plots registered 392 sales worth Dh8.9 billion, a 7.4% increase in volume. Developers and private investors are clearly positioning for the next construction cycle, particularly around transport corridors and waterfront master plans such as Dubai Creek Harbour and Palm Jumeirah.
Villas: Fewer Transactions, Higher PSF Values
Villa sales totaled Dh10.9 billion across 1,944 transactions, down 38.1% in volume year-on-year. Yet average pricing remained firm: the mean price per square foot climbed 15.2% to Dh1,720. This divergence reflects tight supply at the top end and buyers’ preference for upgraded or well-located stock in communities like Arabian Ranches, Dubai Hills Estate, and the premium fronds of Palm Jumeirah. For many end-users, villas remain the ultimate lifestyle upgrade, while investors increasingly weigh rental liquidity and maintenance costs against apartment alternatives.
Seasonal Strength: Third-Highest Month of 2025
August ranked as the third-highest month for total deals this year, trailing only July (20,322) and May (18,693). The continuity of volume through summer is another signal that Dubai’s demand base is deeper and more diversified than in past cycles. International capital flows, supportive policy, and a strong non-oil economy continue to underpin activity across price bands, from sub-Dh1 million apartments to ultra-prime beachfront villas.
Five-Year August Trend: From Dh4.7B to Dh51.1B
The longer-term August trajectory is even more striking. Monthly sales have climbed from Dh4.7 billion (2,500 transactions) in 2020 to Dh15 billion (5,800) in 2021, Dh23.4 billion (9,400) in 2022, Dh33.57 billion (11,900) in 2023, and Dh47.4 billion (16,200) in 2024 — culminating in Dh51.1 billion (18,678) in 2025. Over the same span, the average price per square foot in August has advanced from Dh826 (2020) to Dh1,720 (2025), with step-ups through Dh1,011 (2021), Dh1,143 (2022), Dh1,410 (2023), and Dh1,494 (2024). The data points to a market that has both expanded and matured, with depth across primary and secondary sales.
Headline Deals: Palm Villa at Dh161M, Prime Apartment at Dh100M
August’s top individual transactions reinforced the premium story. A luxury villa on Palm Jumeirah changed hands for Dh161 million, while the most expensive apartment sold for Dh100 million at Selicon Star 2 in Nadd Hessa (near Dubai Silicon Oasis). These deals sit alongside a fast-moving mid-market, where strong population growth and steady new supply keep absorption healthy.
What It Means for Buyers and Investors
For end-users, the data suggests that buying windows remain open, particularly in communities benefiting from improved infrastructure, schools, and retail. For investors, apartments continue to offer attractive liquidity and rental yields in JVC, Business Bay, and Dubai Marina, while select villas in Dubai Hills Estate and waterfront enclaves maintain strong long-term desirability. As always, due diligence on developer reputation — think stalwarts like Emaar, Nakheel, DAMAC, and Ellington — and community-level service charges will help optimize total return.
Outlook: Resilience with Selectivity
Comments from market leaders echo the numbers. As fäm Properties’ CEO Firas Al Msaddi noted, Dubai continues to cement its standing as a global investment destination. Looking ahead, investors should expect continued depth in off-plan launches, steady handovers, and a two-speed market where prized locations command premiums while emerging areas compete on value and yield. With policy stability and infrastructure momentum intact, the base case remains constructive.
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