Why buying property in Dubai in 2025 is easier than ever
In July, Dubai Land Department and the Department of Economy and Tourism launched a new first-time home buyer programme, and it's a proper game changer. It includes access to exclusive pricing, priority launches, special mortgage products, and flexible payment plans. It's designed to lower the entry barrier for residents who want to buy but didn't think they could. Off-plan is having a moment
Off-plan property sales are booming, with lower upfront costs and extended payment plans making them especially attractive to new buyers. According to Betterhomes, In Q2 alone, off-plan apartment transactions hit Dhs60.2 billion, up 43% from the previous quarter. People are buying into future-ready neighbourhoods, not just buildings. No tax, fixed costs, better value
With no capital gains, inheritance, or property tax, Dubai stands out. Add rising rents to the mix, and fixed mortgage payments start to make a lot more sense. Instead of paying off someone else's asset, your money goes into something that's yours. Golden visas and long-term thinking
Spend Dhs750k and you get a two-year residency. Go over Dhs2 million, and that's a 10-year golden visa. That's huge for expats who want more than just short-term flexibility, they want stability, future plans, and a base they can build on. It's not just luxury anymore
Yes, the luxury end is still active, but what's growing fast are family-friendly, mid-market communities. Developers are building smarter. Buyers are looking for lifestyle, location and liveability, not just price tags. Bottom line
If you're renting, it might be time to run the numbers. With the right info, the right payment plan and the right neighbourhood, owning in Dubai is no longer just a dream move, it's a smart one.
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What's On
12 hours ago
- What's On
Why buying property in Dubai in 2025 is easier than ever
For a long time, buying property in Dubai felt like something only investors or second-home owners could pull off. But things are changing fast. With new incentives, flexible mortgages, and more options across the market, renters who once felt stuck in the cycle are now stepping into ownership, and buying property in Dubai is finally starting to make real sense for everyday residents. A first-time buyer programme that actually helps In July, Dubai Land Department and the Department of Economy and Tourism launched a new first-time home buyer programme, and it's a proper game changer. It includes access to exclusive pricing, priority launches, special mortgage products, and flexible payment plans. It's designed to lower the entry barrier for residents who want to buy but didn't think they could. Off-plan is having a moment Off-plan property sales are booming, with lower upfront costs and extended payment plans making them especially attractive to new buyers. According to Betterhomes, In Q2 alone, off-plan apartment transactions hit Dhs60.2 billion, up 43% from the previous quarter. People are buying into future-ready neighbourhoods, not just buildings. No tax, fixed costs, better value With no capital gains, inheritance, or property tax, Dubai stands out. Add rising rents to the mix, and fixed mortgage payments start to make a lot more sense. Instead of paying off someone else's asset, your money goes into something that's yours. Golden visas and long-term thinking Spend Dhs750k and you get a two-year residency. Go over Dhs2 million, and that's a 10-year golden visa. That's huge for expats who want more than just short-term flexibility, they want stability, future plans, and a base they can build on. It's not just luxury anymore Yes, the luxury end is still active, but what's growing fast are family-friendly, mid-market communities. Developers are building smarter. Buyers are looking for lifestyle, location and liveability, not just price tags. Bottom line If you're renting, it might be time to run the numbers. With the right info, the right payment plan and the right neighbourhood, owning in Dubai is no longer just a dream move, it's a smart one. > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai residential property prices average Dh1,893 per square foot in July
Dubai's residential property market reached an average price per square foot of Dh1,893 in July, a 3.3 per cent rise from June, recent data showed. Real estate consultancy Betterhomes reported higher transaction volumes and sustained demand across both sales and leasing, drawing on market data from Property Monitor alongside its own client insights. The company recorded strong activity in off-plan and secondary sales as well as robust tenant demand in key communities. Sales market The total number of sales transactions surged 18,816, up 20.5 per cent month-on-month, with a total value of Dh51.3 billion (+10.6 per cent). Off-plan sales continued to dominate at 65 per cent of transactions, up from 62 per cent in June. The top-performing villa communities by transaction volume were The Wilds, Grand Polo Club & Resort, and The Oasis, while Jumeirah Village Circle, Business Bay, and Damac Riverside led the apartment segment. Average sale prices across Dubai stood at Dh1.99 million for apartments, Dh3.25 million for townhouses, and Dh9.7 million for villas. 'The continued strength of Dubai's off-plan sector shows enduring confidence in the city's long-term growth,' said Chirine El Sebai, Off-Plan Sales Manager at Betterhomes. 'We're seeing demand from both seasoned investors and first-time buyers eager to secure properties before completion,' she added. Betterhomes reported a 4 per cent month-on-month increase in buyer leads in July, with transactions split almost evenly between cash (48 per cent) and mortgage-backed (52 per cent) purchases. Investors remained dominant, accounting for 62 per cent of deals compared to 38 per cent from end-users. Average sale prices came in higher for apartments (Dh2.33 million) but lower for villas (Dh6.1 million) compared to the DLD averages, reflecting differences in portfolio composition and buyer preferences. According to Betterhomes data, top performing villa communities were Damac Hills 2, Dubai Land and Dubai Investments Park. For apartments, the top performing communities were Dubai Marina, Motor City and Dubai Land. Leasing market Leasing activity also strengthened in July, with the Dubai residential market recording 39,251 rental transactions, a 3.4 per cent month-on-month rise. New contracts made up 40 per cent of these deals, up from 37 per cent in June, indicating an influx of fresh tenants into the market. Al Khail Heights registered the highest apartment rental growth at 1.5 per cent month-on-month, reaching an average of Dh67,500 annually, while Jumeirah led villa rental growth with a 4.2 per cent increase to Dh498,000 per year. Across Dubai, the average rental price stood at Dh72,000 for apartments, Dh172,000 for townhouses, and Dh255,000 for villas. The most active villa leasing communities were Mirdif, Damac Hills 2, and Jumeirah, while Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Business Bay topped the apartment segment. Betterhomes recorded a 10 per cent month-on-month increase in tenant leads in July, reflecting continued demand across its rental portfolio. Average leasing prices within the company's transactions stood at Dh141,000 for apartments, Dh190,000 for townhouses, and Dh368,000 for villas. According to Betterhomes data, the most active villa communities were Arabian Ranches 3, Dubai Hills Estate and Arabian Ranches 2. Among apartments, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay were the most active villa communities. Market outlook The combination of rising transaction volumes, strong off-plan demand, and resilient leasing activity reaffirms Dubai's position as a leading global property market. Investor sentiment remains confident, while tenant demand continues to show robust growth. With both prices and activity trending upward, Betterhomes anticipates that momentum will carry into the coming months.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai landlords convert flats to holiday homes after damage from illegal partitions
An increasing number of landlords and property owners in Dubai are converting their units into holiday homes in response to damage caused by illegal partitioning and costly structural alterations by tenants. In June, the Dubai Municipality and Dubai Land Department launched a crackdown on unauthorised partitions, particularly in areas like Al Rigga, Al Muraqqabat, Al Satwa, and Al Raffa, citing serious safety concerns. As a result, some landlords have spent as much as Dh45,000 to remove illegal modifications made by tenants. 'We've seen more owners, especially in Dubai Marina, switching to holiday homes after tenants illegally partitioned units or refused to vacate. For many, it's about control and peace of mind, not just profit. With holiday homes, you keep possession, avoid eviction headaches, and your property stays in better condition — something long-term tenants can't always guarantee,' said Shilpa V Mahtani, co-founder and CEO of bnbme holiday homes. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Rohit Bachani, co-founder of Merlin Real Estate, confirmed the trend, noting a clear shift among landlords toward holiday homes or serviced apartments. 'Since the recent enforcement drive against illegal subletting and partitioning, we've seen more landlords choosing professional holiday-home management or converting to serviced apartments. The logic is control. With Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism's permits and professional operators, owner access is easier, guest numbers are monitored, and there's far less risk of a tenant quietly carving up a unit,' said Bachani. Advantages According to Bachani, the increase in holiday home conversions is especially evident in areas like Downtown, Dubai Marina, and the Creek corridor, where daily and weekly bookings are strong and regulatory compliance is straightforward. He outlined three primary advantages of using properties as holiday homes rather than renting them out long-term to tenants who might sublet: 'First, compliance and control. Holiday homes sit under Dubai's permit framework with inspections and clear guest limits, which naturally shuts the door on partitioning. Secondly, professional operators give owners live calendars, ID-verified bookings, and housekeeping logs, which you never get with a risky subletting tenant. Thirdly, regular cleans and check-out inspections keep units in better condition than a long let that's been informally sublet to five or six unrelated occupants.' Higher returns Humaira Vaqqas, a property consultant at Range International Properties, noted that some landlords have transitioned to holiday homes or serviced apartments to maintain cash flow. 'Facing financial strain, landlords who relied on partitioned rentals for higher returns may be struggling with reduced income until they find compliant tenants. It will have an impact on the real estate sector to grow more positively,' Humaira added. Commenting on profitability, Bachani explained that while gross revenue from holiday homes can be higher in tourist-driven areas — especially during peak seasons — the actual net return depends on several factors. 'Net returns depend on occupancy, operator fees, utilities, and furnishing. In Downtown, Marina, Palm, and Creek Harbour, well-run holiday homes can outperform a standard annual lease on a like-for-like unit, but the spread narrows once you add costs. In purely residential sub-markets with modest tourist demand, a steady annual lease to a family can still be the better net outcome. It's market-by-market and operator-by-operator,' he said. Shilpa added that over a three-year period, a well-managed holiday home often delivers better returns — even with today's elevated rents. 'Especially if the operator isn't reliant solely on online travel agents and has alternative strategies,' she noted.
