Property Finder, the real estate technology portal operating in the Middle East and North Africa, revealed the most prominent indicators of the Dubai real estate market performance for the past month of February. According to its own data, 16,099 sales were recorded, an increase of 35% compared to February 2024. The total value of these sales jumped by 55%, achieving 51.1 billion dirhams.
Ownership market trends
34% of those looking to own or invest in real estate preferred one-bedroom units, while 37% preferred two-bedroom apartments and 13% went for studios.
39% of those looking for villas or independent homes (townhouses) preferred three-bedroom units, while about 47% looked for options consisting of four bedrooms or larger. The most searched areas for buying apartments included Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Village Circle, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Palm Jumeirah.
Villa and townhouse rentals were most popular in Dubai Hills Estate, Dubailand, Al Furjan, Palm Jumeirah and Damac Hills 2.
Rental Market Trends
Around 64% of apartment renters preferred furnished units, while 34% opted for unfurnished options. Villa and townhouse rentals showed different preferences, with 58% looking for unfurnished units and 42% looking for furnished properties.
Around 36% of apartment renters were interested in one-bedroom units, while 32% preferred two-bedroom apartments and 20% opted for studios. 41% of renters looked for three-bedroom units, while 39% preferred four-bedroom or larger options.
Demand for furnished villas and townhouses increased significantly by 47% in February 2025, compared to 36% in the previous year, while searches for furnished apartments increased by 59%, compared to 45% in 2024.
The list of most searched areas for apartment rentals included Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Deira. Those looking to rent villas and townhouses were interested in Dubai Hills Estate, Jumeirah, Damac Hills 2, Dubailand, and Al Furjan.
Ready and Off-Plan Property Market
Number and Value of Sales
The ready property market recorded 6,997 sales in February of this year, compared to 5,522 sales in February 2024, an increase of 27% in the number of sales and 53% in their value.
In terms of value, Burj Khalifa recorded AED 3.1 billion, through 334 transactions, while Al Yalayis 1 witnessed a significant jump from AED 96 million to AED 2.4 billion.
The off-plan real estate market maintained its strong performance, after recording a remarkable growth in the total value of sales of 57%, achieving AED 20.5 billion, compared to AED 13 billion in February 2024.
In terms of value, Wadi Al Safa 5 recorded approximately AED 2.2 billion, with 1,073 sales, while Al Yafrah 1 witnessed significant growth, from AED 184 million to AED 1.4 billion.
Strong Market Performance
Sherif Soliman, Chief Revenue Officer, Property Finder, said: “Dubai’s real estate market continues to perform strongly, supported by a sustained growth in off-plan transactions, reinforcing the city’s position as a global investment destination. With ease of business setup, Dubai’s real estate expansion has become a key factor in attracting top talent and entrepreneurs from across the world. Following a year of developments, the UAE continues to strengthen its commitment to innovation and sustainable growth, further enhancing its appeal on the international stage. The latest data from the Ministry of Investment reveals the country’s growing status as an ideal destination for building a stable and ambitious future.”