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Dubai Real Estate Sales Surge to Dh51.1 Billion in August Amid Market Resilience

Dubai’s property market recorded Dh51.1 billion in sales in August, marking a 7.9 percent increase from the same month last year, according to new data. The figures underline the city’s resilience, as transaction activity expanded even during traditionally slower summer months.

The number of deals rose 15.4 percent year-on-year to 18,678, making August the third-strongest month for real estate activity this year. Only July and May registered higher totals, with 20,322 and 18,693 transactions, respectively.

Apartments continued to drive momentum, with sales hitting Dh30.2 billion. That reflected a 29.2 percent jump in volumes to 15,900 units compared to August 2024, underscoring the segment’s role as a magnet for both investors and end-users.

Commercial property also posted gains, climbing 20.4 percent year-on-year to Dh1.2 billion across 442 transactions. Land sales reached Dh8.9 billion, a 7.4 percent increase, with 392 deals completed during the month.

While overall sales rose, villa transactions showed signs of softening. Total sales of Dh10.9 billion were recorded in August, representing a 38.1 percent decrease in volume to 1,944 villas compared to the same period a year earlier. Industry analysts attributed the decline to limited new supply and selective buyer demand for premium homes.

Despite that, prices across the market edged higher. The average price per square foot increased 15.2 percent to Dh1,720. This level represents a steady rise from Dh1,494 in August 2024 and is more than double the Dh826 average reported in 2020.

Historical data show a consistent upward trend in August sales over recent years. The market increased from Dh4.7 billion in 2020 to Dh15 billion in 2021, Dh23.4 billion in 2022, Dh33.57 billion in 2023, and Dh47.4 billion in 2024, before reaching the current Dh51.1 billion this year.

“The overall figures for August once again reflect the consistent strength and resilience of Dubai’s real estate market, even through the summer months,” said Firas Al Msaddi, chief executive of fäm Properties. He added that international attention and steady regional demand were reinforcing the city’s position as a leading global investment hub.

High-end transactions continued to make headlines. A luxury villa on Palm Jumeirah sold for Dh161 million, making it the most expensive property traded in August. The priciest apartment was in Selicon Star 2, Nadd Hessa, which changed hands for Dh100 million.

Market observers noted that Dubai remains a preferred destination for both lifestyle buyers and institutional investors. The combination of infrastructure development, long-term visa reforms, and rising rental yields has bolstered confidence.

Analysts said the uptick in apartment demand reflects a broader demographic shift, with younger professionals and families opting for urban living in established and emerging districts. Meanwhile, villa buyers have increasingly targeted exclusive neighbourhoods, leading to concentrated but record-breaking deals.

Despite global economic headwinds, Dubai’s real estate sector has shown an ability to absorb demand across multiple price brackets. Industry experts suggested that even if certain sub-segments cool, the city’s overall trajectory is toward sustained growth. The consistency in monthly performance, alongside record-breaking individual sales, has fuelled speculation about whether Dubai’s property prices will test new highs before the end of the year. While some analysts advise caution, most agree that the market’s fundamentals remain strong.

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