UAE property market powers ahead with Dh239 billion in deals across five emirates

Dubai: The UAE’s property market is not just growing—it’s accelerating. Real estate transactions across five emirates soared past Dh239 billion in the first quarter of 2025, setting a brisk pace for the year and reinforcing the country’s status as a global hotspot for investors and homeowners alike.

While Dubai continues to dominate with Dh193 billion worth of property deals, the surge in activity across Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah shows a market that’s diversifying—both in geography and buyer appetite.

More than 94,000 sales, mortgage, and other property transactions were recorded between January and March. Developers say the momentum reflects more than just strong demand. Flexible regulations, expanding infrastructure, and a broader vision for economic growth are reshaping how people view real estate across the country.

“Real estate in the UAE has become a reflection of the country’s larger progress—not just economic, but cultural and social,” said Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group CEO of Aldar Properties. The developer reported Dh8.9 billion in Q1 sales—up 42% from last year—with over 95% of its portfolio now occupied.

While Dubai led the numbers—with 58,000 transactions and Dh142 billion in sales alone—Abu Dhabi saw a particularly sharp rise in mortgage activity, suggesting growing end-user interest. The capital logged Dh25.3 billion in property deals, including a 49% year-on-year rise in mortgages, according to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.

In Sharjah, transactions jumped nearly 32% to Dh13.2 billion, as the emirate continues to attract mid-range buyers looking for value and proximity to Dubai. Ajman too posted double-digit growth, with Dh5.5 billion in activity, while off-plan residential sales in Ras Al Khaimah crossed Dh2.4 billion.

Analysts say the first quarter’s performance is significant because it shows sustained demand across a broader spectrum of locations and property types—not just luxury towers or short-term investor buys.

The mix of rising mortgage volumes, off-plan purchases, and record developer sales points to a market that is maturing, supported by longer-term residents and institutional buyers alike.

For businesses in construction, interior fit-outs, and home services, the ripple effects are clear. More transactions mean more activity across the value chain—from legal and financial services to design and delivery. And for property investors, the message from Q1 is loud and clear: demand isn’t slowing down.

As 2025 unfolds, the UAE’s property sector appears firmly positioned as a pillar of economic growth—one that now extends well beyond Dubai’s skyline.

- With inputs from WAM