5 Surprising facts about Dubai's property market

Here are 5 facts that will change how you think of Dubai's residential property market.

1. In January 2025, prices per square foot rose by 18% and 20% YoY for apartments and villas respectively, as demand continued to outpace supply⁽¹⁾.

2. Yet, villas on Palm Jumeirah remain remarkably affordable by international standards, at $1,626 per square foot, on par with that in Greater London. Would you prefer to live on the Palm, or in Zone 6? As a an aside, villas on Palm Jumeirah are the most expensive property format in Dubai on a price per square foot basis. You'll find even more affordable and higher yielding neighbourhoods inland.

3. Cash purchases account for 75% of sales YTD. And across purchases financed with a mortgage, the average Loan-to-Value was just 72.31% over the same period⁽²⁾. In short, you can have confidence that Dubai's property market isn't underpinned by a debt-fuelled bubble.

4. Dubai's 10-year Golden Visa, available from a $545K investment, has been an important driver of demand. Holders of a Golden Visa can relocate to Dubai and sponsor their first-degree relatives. Talk to me about securing yours. I've secured one for myself, and could point you towards eligible properties.

5. There are no taxes on rental income or capital gains in Dubai. You'll only need to set aside 4% of the property's purchase price to cover title deed registration fees, and an additional 2% in agency fees if you buy ready-property. No agency fees apply if you buy off-plan.

Contact me today to schedule a free 20-minute consultation if you have any questions about investing in Dubai. I'll help you buy directly from developers with 0% agency commission, and recommend projects best aligned with your investment preferences.