Dubai Real Estate Hits Record $18.2B in May on Tokenization Boom

Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, told Property News, "Just when we thought April was Dubai’s most significant month in terms of transaction value at AED62.1 billion, May eclipsed this with AED66.8 billion in transaction value. This underscores the sustainability of the trends driving current growth.”

He added, "Dubai continues to lead real estate innovation by example, as evidenced by the recent launch of the region’s first licensed tokenized property investment platform by Dubai Land Department. With the remarkable growth in population this year, welcoming nearly 1,000 new residents each day—double last year’s daily visitor arrivals—demand for housing is poised to reach peak levels."

Sleiman also noted, "The real estate market is enjoying positive momentum, fueled by digital transformation, international investor appetite, and a surge in demand for premium living. Real estate leaders who participated in Property Finder’s recent roundtable are confident of transaction activity picking up throughout 2025, buoyed by unprecedented interest from international investors, alongside a strong off-plan performance and vibrant luxury resale activity. These trends speak to the city’s enduring appeal and resilience, even amid global uncertainty."

The significant growth was primarily driven by a substantial increase in ready property transactions. Primary ready transactions quadrupled in value year-over-year, reaching AED17.9 billion (US$4.88 billion) across 2,400 deals. This represents a 314% increase in value and a 145% rise in volume. Secondary ready sales also achieved record highs, totaling AED24 billion (US$6.55 billion) from 6,078 transactions, marking an 8% increase in volume and a 21% rise in value compared to May 2024.

Dubai's real estate market continued its upward trajectory in May 2025, with significant gains across both primary and secondary sectors. Off-plan and ready sales in the primary market surged by 65%, reaching AED37 billion (US$10.1 billion). This robust performance reflects growing investor confidence in Dubai’s off-plan developments and newly completed projects, driven by strong demand and innovative real estate offerings.

Meanwhile, the secondary market demonstrated sustained resilience. It recorded AED29 billion (US$7.9 billion) in transaction value across 8,471 deals. This represents a 23% year-on-year increase in value and a 15% rise in transaction volume, indicating continued buyer interest in existing properties amid Dubai’s dynamic market conditions.

Among the notable transactions, Business Bay emerged as a key area for premium investments, contributing 5% of total transaction value despite accounting for just 3% of the total deal volume. Al Barsha also experienced heightened activity, comprising 5% of all transactions. Additionally, a landmark land deal in Palm Deira—valued at AED1.5 billion (US$409 million)—highlighted growing institutional confidence in Dubai’s long-term real estate potential.

Apartments remained the preferred choice among both renters and buyers. Rental searches for apartments constituted 78% of the total, while 60% of buyer interest focused on this segment. Studios attracted 21% of rental searches but only 15% of purchasing interest. One-bedroom units led demand, accounting for 38% of rentals and 35% of buyer searches, indicating a preference for larger spaces that offer long-term value and livability.

Dubai's real estate sector continues to demonstrate robust growth, driven by a combination of increased investor confidence, innovative investment platforms, and a growing population. The record-breaking sales figures in May 2025 highlight the city's resilience and its position as a leading global real estate market.