The real estate platform “Property Finder” has revealed key trends shaping the residential property market in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as we approach 2026. The data indicates a notable shift in Dubai from renting to ownership. According to the bi-monthly “Market Pulse” survey, which tracks consumer trends, 70% of respondents are planning to purchase a home within the next six months, highlighting a sustained interest in buying.
Furthermore, the viewership of property sale listings on Property Finder platforms surged by 49% in 2025, while rental views declined, signaling a growing commitment to home ownership.
The report highlights that buyers have, for the first time, played a central role in this transformation, aided by long-term residency policies, ownership-linked visas, and initiatives such as Dubai’s first-home ownership program, which has enabled over 2,000 residents to acquire their first homes, contributing to real estate sales exceeding 3.25 billion dirhams in the past six months.
Properties priced below 1,000 dirhams per square foot made up 8% of the market in 2025, down from 14% in 2024, indicating a clear preference among home seekers for higher value options.
Data from “Mortgage Finder” reveals that buyers are allocating a larger portion of their income to mortgage repayments, with this share increasing from 23% in 2024 to 31% in 2025, reflecting strong market confidence and a growing desire for home ownership.
In contrast, luxury homes priced above 2,500 dirhams per square foot accounted for 20% of the market in 2025, up from 15% in 2024. There was also a 27% rise in the number of properties listed for sale, in line with increasing demand driven by affluent buyers and an estimated incoming wealth of around 63 billion dollars.
Residential apartments represented 93% of all residential transactions in 2025, showcasing an ample supply and diverse options across various plans, sizes, and developers. Meanwhile, the share of villas decreased from 10% to 7% during the same year due to limited supply, although their prices saw a rise of 14% in 2025, surpassing the 6% annual growth of apartments.
Transactions for mid-range villas constituted approximately 72% of all villa sales in 2025, priced between 1,000 and 1,800 dirhams per square foot, highlighting buyers’ preference for larger spaces, privacy, and residential options that support long-term stability.
Studio apartments lead the market
Studio apartments accounted for 25% of all apartment transactions in 2025, compared to 22% in 2024. Annual prices increased by 14% over three years, surpassing larger apartments, along with yielding rental returns of around 6%, compared to 4-5% for larger units, enhancing their appeal as the most efficient residential category in Dubai.
Prominent ready communities in the secondary market, including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, Jumeirah Beach Residence, and Dubai Hills Estate, drew significant interest throughout 2025, reflecting buyers’ appreciation for stability and comprehensive infrastructure.
At the same time, off-plan projects such as Dubai Islands and Dubai Maritime City have also gained notable attention, particularly in the luxury housing and waterfront property sectors, as buyers and investors seek new opportunities without affecting strong demand levels in established residential areas.
Key Trends in Abu Dhabi
According to “Property Finder,” there is a growing inclination toward ownership, with sales listings representing 39% of total views on the platform in 2025, compared to 26% the previous year, reflecting an increasing desire for long-term residential stability.
Demand continues to be concentrated on residential apartments, which constituted 72% of the total residential transactions in 2025, driven by ample supply and varied options across locations, styles, and price ranges. This reinforces the appeal of apartments as the preferred housing type in Abu Dhabi.
Within the villa category, there is a clear trend toward upgrading to larger units, with homes featuring four or more bedrooms accounting for 62% of total villa transactions in 2025, compared to 38% three years ago. This shift reflects increasing family-oriented demand and lifestyle patterns, as more buyers move to Abu Dhabi with long-term stability plans rather than short-term investment motives.