Dubai's secondary market is driven by family communities: here's what that means for buyers

Dubai’s property market has maintained its upward trajectory in the first quarter of 2025, with key indicators showing sustained growth when compared to Q1 2024. In Q1 2025, Dubai’s secondary residential market recorded 17,354 transactions, marking a 21.1% year-on-year (YoY) increase and generated AED 60.311 billion in total sales value, a 37.3% increase YoY.

Demand for villas and townhouses surged in Q1, particularly among end-users and family buyers, though much of this activity won’t be reflected in the official transfer data until Q2 due to natural processing delays.

To offer a clearer picture of what’s really happening beneath the surface, we've analysed performance across Dubai’s most active communities, alongside a dedicated Off Plan report, providing one of the most comprehensive overviews available in the market today.

Best areas in Dubai for families & how that’s changing the market

Over 50,000 new residents arrived in Dubai in Q1 2025, pushing population growth up by 1.3% in just three months. But Dubai’s population has been on an upward trajectory, so this is not anything new. This isn’t just about population, it’s about permanence. Families are choosing Dubai as a place to put down roots and that confidence is now shaping where the money flows.

"Safety, stability and community are top priorities and Dubai delivers on all three," says Simon Baker, Managing Director at haus & haus. "It’s no longer just about where to live, but where to feel secure and raise children with confidence."

For some time now, Dubai’s appeal has gone well beyond tax-free incentives; it’s ticking a new set of boxes for discerning buyers and those ready to relocate. As the second safest city in the world, it offers an unmatched sense of security for families. Add to that a wide choice of schooling options that cater to learners from every background and it’s easy to see why Dubai is fast becoming the destination of choice.  

In a world marked by global instability and growing uncertainty, Dubai stands out as a place where families can move forward, without losing precious time.

The best performing areas

In Q1 2025, family focused villa and townhouse communities led the charge, just as we predicted earlier this year. These suburbs didn’t just perform well, they set a new benchmark for demand. One standout sale in Arabian Ranches closed at a record-breaking price just two hours after its first viewing. It was a clear sign of how quickly quality stock is being absorbed in high demand neighbourhoods.

Here’s how some key areas performed:

• The Lakes: up 48.8% YoY in price per sq. ft
• The Springs: up 40.7% YoY
• Arabian Ranches 3: up 32.8% YoY

These numbers speak to the broader health of Dubai’s property market. They are not isolated jumps and reflect a consistent trend. Communities selected for long term living are repeatedly outperforming the wider market.

What we’re seeing on the ground

Our teams at haus & haus are seeing buyers move faster, ask smarter questions and prioritise communities with infrastructure, schools and lifestyle appeal. Areas once seen as “too far”, like Dubai South and Dubailand, are now being redefined as future-proof investments.

And if the early hesitations around Arabian Ranches and Dubai Hills Estate taught us anything, it’s that the best time to buy is often before the crowd catches on.

Interested in deeper insight?

For a deeper look at what’s happening on the ground, explore our latest Q1 2025 Market Reports - community by community & packed with the data that matters. And if you're ready to go further, the Investment Playbook is your next step. Whether you're investing AED 2 million or building out a multi-asset portfolio, this guide is built for action. Inside, you’ll find:

• 16.5% capital growth in 2024
• Population trends, infrastructure plans and the D33 Agenda
• FX, inflation and why tax matters more than ever
• Proven strategies for scaling smart, planning exits and avoiding overhyped deals

Wherever you are in your investment journey, the experts at haus & haus are here to guide you.