As in 2024, property buyers in Dubai are seeing no slowdown in the number of offplan launches they can choose from in the first few weeks of this year. Throughout January and February, there has been an offplan launch or new property releases every second day, maintaining momentum similar to that experienced during all of 2024.
Nearly 50% of these property buyers are first-time entrants into the market, which presents unique challenges. Yet, there are clear trends signaling favorable shifts for these newcomers, especially in price stabilization. “The best part is that the sheer number of launches has meant that offplan launch prices have remained in check, which is not something that buyers were seeing in 2023 or the first-half 2024,” said an estate agent.
In the first half of 2024, a significant rush in demand emerged after changes to the payment structure required for obtaining a Golden Visa. This shift allowed buyers investing in properties priced at Dh2 million and above to receive their 10-year residency visas more swiftly, encouraging a surge of interest in property purchases.
“That meant prices in H1-2024 reflected this rush of demand from buyers seeking Golden Visas,” the agent noted. However, the current landscape shows stability, with slight fluctuations in prices as the demand for these visas has smoothed out.
For investors, Dubai presents a dynamically promising real estate market, consistently demonstrating resilience. “While markets everywhere experience shifts, Dubai’s real estate story is one of sustained resilience and boundless potential,” the estate agent added.
Emerging locations within Dubai’s free zones are seeing more offplan projects, giving new buyers a distinct price discovery advantage. Financing options for these offplan projects may also be improving, as lenders could soon offer home financing before the project reaches the halfway completion mark. “The Dubai offplan market should soon see banks willing to open the mortgage taps sooner than the current 50% completion mark for financing,” said Alois Kugendran, the founder and CEO of Amaya Real Estate.
This shift is particularly beneficial for first-time buyers. For instance, if a potential buyer has their sights on a Dh1 million property, the easier access to home loans will be invaluable.
Another significant factor influencing offplan buyer decisions is the newly introduced Rental Index and building rating system in Dubai. “Dubai residential rents are still holding at higher levels – and that’s exactly what new investors have an eye on,” said a broker, indicating that rentals are playing a key role in attracting buyers.
Furthermore, modern buildings typically feature higher ratings, which buyers are likely to prefer, especially those looking at projects projected for completion in 2026-2028. “The Dubai star rating will be one of the biggest influences in offplan demand going forward. This trend is only getting started,” the broker warned.
With a gradual increase in available options and an extensive array of financing and investment opportunities, Dubai’s property market remains attractive. As we progress through 2025, first-time buyers are poised to benefit from favorable trends, stable prices, and increasingly accessible financing options. The convergence of these factors sets the stage for a promising year in Dubai’s real estate sector.
