Dubai’s real estate market continues to capture global attention, and the second quarter of 2025 proved no exception. Off-plan apartment transactions skyrocketed by an impressive 43% compared to the previous quarter—reaffirming Dubai’s status as a top investment destination for property buyers seeking strong returns, flexibility, and lifestyle value.
Second quarter off-plan apartment transactions in Dubai surged 43 per cent quarter-on-quarter, contributing significantly to a total sales value of Dh60.15 billion, a 37 per cent increase year-on-year, data showed on Tuesday.
According to Betterhomes’ Shaping Skylines, Dubai Residential Real Estate Q2 2025, the off-plan segment accounted for the majority of Dubai’s residential market activity, underpinned by strategic launches from top-tier developers and investor-friendly payment plans.
Among the top-performing communities for off-plan apartments in Q2 2025 were Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), which led with 12.2 per cent of total off-plan transactions, followed by Business Bay at 6.4 per cent, Dubai Residence Complex at 5.3 per cent, while Motor City and Production City each contributed 5 per cent. Two-bedroom apartments were the highest contributors to off-plan transaction value making up 33 per cent, with one-bedroom apartments at 30 per cent and studios at 10 per cent. The average price per square foot for off-plan transactions stood at Dh2,023.
“The off-plan market continues to be one of Dubai’s biggest growth stories. Buyers are showing greater discernment, focusing on quality, developer reputation, and long-term rental yield potential. We’re seeing high absorption of newly launched projects, especially in well-connected, master-planned communities,” said Christopher Cina, Director of Sales at Betterhomes.
Off-plan market trends and buyer preferences
In the off-plan segment, The Valley accounted for the largest share of transactions at 29.7 per cent, followed by Emaar South with 15.5 per cent, Athlon by Aldar at 8 per cent, and MBR City at 7.3 per cent. The total off-plan transaction value for villas and townhouses stood at Dh7.94 billion, with townhouses driving 75 per cent of this value and villas contributing the remaining 25 per cent. This trend reflects a preference among buyers for townhouses in new developments, although the broader end-user market continues to favour ready-to-move-in properties for permanent residence. In terms of unit size, four-bedroom homes accounted for 49 per cent of the total off-plan transaction value, followed by three-bedroom units at 23 per cent and fivebedroom units at 12 per cent. The average price per square foot was Dh1,318 for townhouses and Dh1,947 for villas.