November saw a sharp rebound in Dubai’s real estate market after the temporary October slowdown. According to Property Finder, the total value of primary and secondary transactions rose 49% year on year to AED 64.4 billion. The primary market doubled in transaction value, while the secondary market posted a 9% increase. The number of transactions grew 31% year on year, with the primary segment up 67% in deal volume and secondary transactions down 4%, indicating a clear shift in buyer preferences.
The gap between value growth and transaction volumes is clear in the primary segment, where average deal sizes are rising faster than the number of transactions. Ready units in the primary market saw year-on-year growth of 220% in transaction value, up from 22% a year earlier, showing buyers’ willingness to pay a premium for completed projects.
Primary sales outperform the secondary market
Transaction value in the primary segment surged by 105% year on year, driven by growth in both off-plan and ready properties, which accounted for the majority of the increase. Off-plan transactions rose by 72% in value, reflecting investor confidence in pipeline projects, although buyers are clearly prioritizing properties with minimal waiting periods. Analysts highlight the following areas as key destinations for primary-market buyers:
- Business Bay, supported by strong infrastructure and proximity to the business district
- Palm Deira, emerging as a new prestigious waterfront development
- Jebel Ali First and other developing corridors offering more accessible pricing
Despite lower volumes, the secondary market remained resilient, with total transaction value increasing by 9% year on year. Ready properties accounted for more than 80% of the total value of secondary transactions, as buyers favored options for immediate occupancy or stable rental income. This trend is consistent with Dubai luxury real estate market news today frequently highlighted by leading publications across the emirate.
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Middle-income buyers shape demand structure
Demand for apartments continues to dominate, accounting for the vast majority of search activity for both rentals and purchases. Approximately 80% of rental searches focus on apartments, while 20% focus on villas and townhouses. Within the apartment rental segment, the share of studios and one-bedroom units increased year on year. Rising rental rates over the past year have pushed single professionals, couples, and small families toward more compact options, directly influencing which Dubai neighborhoods tenants prefer in 2025 and setting the tone for market dynamics heading into 2026.
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Mortgage Finder data for November shows that applicants with monthly incomes between AED 20,000 and AED 40,000 account for nearly 38% of all mortgage applications, making this the largest income group in the market. Within this segment, 85% are seeking homes for end use, while 15% are exploring investment opportunities. Notably, investment interest among middle-income buyers stands at 5.1%, compared to just 2.04% among buyers earning AED 60,000–80,000 or more per month. The apartment segment continues to dominate mortgage activity, with sales totaling AED 31.73 billion and mortgages amounting to AED 4.85 billion. Among villa buyers, sales reached AED 4.61 billion with mortgages totaling AED 1.56 billion, further confirming healthy conversion rates among higher-net-worth purchasers.
