“The new index, which offers transparent and data-driven pricing mechanisms, will likely provide more accurate market insights, helping tenants and landlords make informed decisions. As new properties come online and more options become available, the increased supply is expected to temper the rapid price growth in recent years. This, combined with the ongoing market stabilisation, will contribute to a more balanced and sustainable rental environment,” said real estate brokerage Betterhomes.
Rupert Simmonds, director of leasing at Betterhomes, said rent increases slowed in 2024 compared to the previous year, signalling stabilisation in the market. The real estate brokerage capped completions at 27,000 units in 2024 due to postponements, with 2025 set for a record-breaking 72,365 units, a massive increase of 171 per cent.
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“Dubai's property prices are expected to remain stable by 2026 as the market absorbs an estimated 163,000 new housing units between 2025 and 2026. This influx, driven by pre-sales from 2022 to 2023, is anticipated to balance demand,” said Betterhomes.
“While minor price adjustments may occur, Dubai's resilient market fundamentals, bolstered by economic growth and strategic investments in infrastructure and innovation, are expected to sustain investor confidence,” it said.
“Stabilisation in property prices, spurred by a record-breaking influx of over 72,000 new residential units, will provide a more balanced market environment. This stabilisation, paired with robust demand from global investors and end-users, reinforces Dubai's standing as a premier global real estate hub and positions it for sustainable growth in the year to come,” said Christopher Cina, director for development sales and consultancy at Betterhomes.
Property brokerage Haus and Haus said Dubai's real estate sector is poised to maintain its demand into 2025, supported by ambitious infrastructure projects and sustained foreign investment.
To bring stability and avoid overheating in the real estate market, the UAE banks have been asked not to finance a 4 per cent Dubai Land Department (DLD) fee and a 2 percent brokerage fee for mortgages in Dubai but only the value of the property.
More than 9,000 units are scheduled for handover in the first quarter of 2025, with Sobha Hartland, Arjan, and JVC accounting for 41 per cent of this pipeline, said Betterhomes.
Projects launched in 2024
More than 470 projects were launched in Dubai last year, averaging one new project a day. A total of 27,000 units were handed in 2024, marking a lower-than-anticipated inventory.
Of the units delivered in 2024, 77 per cent were apartments, 17 per cent were townhouses, and 6 per cent were villas, underscoring Dubai's strong preference for vertical living to meet the needs of its growing urban population.
“This composition is expected to persist into 2025, maintaining a similar mix across the projected supply.”
Prominent areas like Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City), and Business Bay stood out as high-demand hubs for investors and end-users. Collectively, these neighbourhoods drove the bulk of the year's completions, reinforcing their reputations as prime residential locations.