According to betterhomes’ report, Shaping Skylines: Dubai Residential Real Estate Q3 2025, off-plan transactions accounted for 70% of total sales volume, the highest share in three years, up from 65% just three quarters ago. In total value, off-plan deals contributed 59%, surpassing the historic 50–58% range seen since 2023.

Apartments Power Growth

Apartments led the charge in Q3, with the off-plan segment showing unprecedented strength. Off-plan apartment sales soared 35% quarter-on-quarter, with 37,980 units sold, marking the largest quarterly increase ever recorded. The total number of apartment transactions reached 48,646 units, reaffirming investor confidence in Dubai’s long-term growth trajectory.

The surge was driven by a steady pipeline of new launches, attractive payment plans, and continued demand from both local and international investors seeking strong capital appreciation and rental yields.

Off-Plan Dominates Market Value

Dubai’s apartment market reached AED 93 billion in total transaction value during Q3, a 14% increase from the previous quarter. Off-plan apartment sales alone accounted for 81% of that figure, marking a new record high and underscoring the segment’s dominance.

While off-plan values jumped 25% quarter-on-quarter, the secondary market recorded a 17% decline, as buyers increasingly shifted toward new project opportunities. Apartments remain the preferred asset class for investors due to their relative affordability, high liquidity, and sustained end-user demand.

“Dubai’s off-plan market has evolved from a trend into a defining pillar of the city’s real estate growth story,” said Christopher Cina, Director of Sales at betterhomes. 

“With off-plan transactions now accounting for 70% of total sales volume, the highest share the city has ever seen, the surge in apartment sales reflects a market that’s not only expanding but maturing. Developers are delivering products aligned with investors' expectations for value, quality, and long-term returns. Record demand is being driven by both local confidence and global capital seeking to participate in Dubai’s next phase of urban growth,” he added.

Villas and Townhouses Cool After Record Highs

Following an exceptionally strong first half of the year, Dubai’s villa and townhouse market experienced a natural cooldown in Q3 2025. Sales volumes dropped 30% in the secondary market and 28% in off-plan transactions, after record-breaking activity in Q2.

The slowdown was largely attributed to a temporary pause in new project launches and the market’s adjustment after an extraordinary H1 performance, rather than any sign of weakening demand.

The Forward View

With a substantial pipeline carrying through the next several years, off-plan’s depth and diversity continue to broaden buyer choice across budgets and handover timelines. As new communities rise and established ones densify, the apartment-led off-plan story remains central to Dubai’s residential narrative.

Source: betterhomes “Shaping Skylines: Dubai Residential Real Estate Q3 2025”.