Dubai property deals hit record in July

Market shows significant upturn with 59% rise in transactions and 57% rise in value

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Published: Mon 5 Aug 2024, 4:49 PM

Over 17,000 real estate transactions worth Dh55.5 billion were recorded in Dubai last month, making for a record breaking July 2024, data showed on Monday.

According to Property Finder data, the market maintained an upward trend, seeing a 59 per cent increase in transactions and 57 per cent increase in value, when compared to July 2023.

July was a pivotal month for the industry, as transaction values came to par with the highest peak recorded earlier this year, in May. Ten areas represented 51 per cent of the total transactions including Al Barsha South Fourth, Business Bay, Marsa Dubai, Jebel Ali First, Wadi Al Safa and Al Thayah Fifth.

In July 2024, the existing market recorded the highest volume and value of transactions ever, touching 8,400 transactions, compared to 6,606 transactions in May 2024, indicating an increase of 27 per cent.

In terms of value, the ready market recorded transactions worth Dh36 billion, crossing the highest peak recorded in June 2024 by 23 per cent.

The off-plan market witnessed a YoY increase of approximately 77 per cent in volume, with around 9,300 transactions.

The value of these transactions experienced a notable increase of 54 per cent YoY, touching approximately Dh19.4 billion, compared to Dh12.6 billion in May 2023.

Ownership Insights

Fifty nine per cent of property seekers with an interest in ownership were looking for an apartment, while 41 per cent were searching for villas/townhouses. 33.6 per cent investors were searching for one bedroom units, with 35.2 per cent showing an inclination for two bedroom apartments and 13.7 per cent for studios.

Seekers for villas/townhouses included 39.8 per cent searching for three bedroom units and 44.9 per cent for four bedroom or larger options.

Popular areas for ownership were Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Village Circle, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Palm Jumeirah. Dubai Hills Estate, Al Furjan, Palm Jumeirah, Akoya by Damac, were the most desired areas to own villas/townhouses.

Rental Trends

Eighty per cent of tenants were seeking an apartment, with the remaining 20 per cent considering villas/townhouses.

Roughly 60 per cent of tenants looking for apartments preferred furnished properties, while 38 per cent turned to unfurnished options.

Tenants who sought villas/townhouses showed a difference in preference, with around 57 per cent searching for unfurnished units and 42 per cent going for furnished properties.

When searching for apartments, 37 per cent of tenants were looking for one bedroom units, while 31.7 per cent expressed a preference for two bedroom apartments and 20.9 per cent for studios.

Tenants keen to select villas/townhouses showed signs of a fairly equal distribution with 43.1 per cent looking for three bedroom units and 35.4 per cent searching for four bedroom or larger options.

Cherif Sleiman, chief revenue officer at Property Finder

Top areas searched to rent apartments included Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Village Circle, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Deira.

Jumeirah, Al Barsha, Dubai Hills Estate, Akoya Damac Hills, and Umm Suqeim were popular among those looking to rent villas/townhouses.

Cherif Sleiman, chief revenue officer at Property Finder, said: “With the UAE striding towards its vision ‘We the Emirates 2031’, we are at an exciting time in the nation’s development journey across social, economic and investment sectors, and in turn - the real estate market. Recognising this, more people are in search of long-term homes in Dubai - evidenced by the upward trend in volume and value of transactions, while regulatory reports from Sharjah further indicate promising investment interest. Both existing and off-plan projects seem to be thriving, lending to a constant diversification of property demand, backed by growing returns on investment. Newer developments outside central city locations are also seeing growing consideration, partly due to developer efforts to sustain momentum with steady supply, while nurturing communities that appeal to a global audience. At Property Finder, we consistently innovate to support this demand and are committed to transforming the search process, powered by trust, transparency, talent and technology.”