Real estate deals in five UAE emirates reach Dhs239 billion in Q1

Real estate transactions across five emirates in the UAE surged to over Dhs239 billion in the first quarter of 2025, underpinned by investor confidence, flexible regulations, and expanding project pipelines, official data showed.

More than 94,719 sales, purchase, and mortgage deals were recorded from January through March in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah, marking a robust start to the year for the UAE’s property sector.

Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar Properties, said the UAE’s real estate boom is fuelled by the country’s broader economic and cultural progress, making it one of the world’s most attractive destinations for living, working, and investing.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), he said that Aldar reported Dhs8.9 billion in Q1 sales, a 42 per cent year-on-year increase, with portfolio occupancy rates exceeding 95 per cent by the end of the quarter.

Abu Dhabi posted Dhs25.3 billion in total real estate transactions, up 34.5 per cent from Q1 2024. This included 3,819 sale deals worth Dhs15.51 billion-up 26.7 per cent-and 3,077 mortgage transactions totalling Dhs9.8 billion, a 49 per cent increase, according to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.

Dubai accounted for the largest share, with Dhs193 billion in real estate transactions, resulting from 58,039 transactions, a growth of 16.2 per cent in value and 31.5 per cent compared to 2024.

The Dubai Land Department reported Dhs142 billion in sales from 45,077 deals, marking a 30 per cent increase in value compared to the same period last year. Mortgages reached Dhs41 billion from 10,949 transactions, up 27 per cent in volume. The remainder came from grants and exchanges.

Sharjah recorded AED13.2 billion in property transactions from 24,597 deals, up 31.9 per cent year-on-year, data from the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department showed.

The growth reflects increasing investor confidence in Sharjah’s stable and investor-friendly environment, supported by advanced infrastructure and a diverse range of investment opportunities.

A total of 8,123 sales transactions were recorded during the quarter, a 32.2 percent increase from 6,146 in Q1 2024. The transactions were spread across 169 areas, covering 46 million square feet and amounting to Dhs10.7 billion.

The highest number of sales was recorded in Muwailih Commercial with 1,787 transactions worth Dhs1.9 billion, followed by Al-Belaida (902 transactions, Dhs851 million), and Al-Khan (536 transactions, Dhs665 million).

Residential properties dominated the sales segment, accounting for 78.9 per cent of transactions (2,894 deals). Industrial properties followed with 477 transactions (13 per cent), commercial properties with 259 (7.1 per cent), and agricultural properties with 39 (1 per cent).

The department recorded 1,417 mortgage transactions worth Dhs2.4 billion, executed through 21 financial institutions. The highest number was in Um Fanain (113 mortgages, Dhs170.6 million), followed by Muwailih Commercial (66 mortgages, Dhs246.5 million), Al-Hamriyah West (65 mortgages, Dhs158.6 million), and Al-Sajaa Industrial (60 mortgages, Dhs148.2 million).

Four new residential projects were registered in Muwailih Commercial, Al-Tay, and Al-Tay West.

Investors from 97 nationalities participated in Sharjah’s real estate market during Q1 2025. Emiratis led with Dhs5.2 billion (39.8 percent of total investments). GCC nationals invested Dhs509.8 million (3.9 percent), while Arab nationals invested Dhs3 billion (22.3 percent). Foreign investors contributed Dhs4.5 billion (34 per cent).

The number of foreign investors rose 25.3 per cent year-on-year to 3,725, with 3,951 properties traded by non-UAE nationals, up 25.2 per cent. The growth is attributed to legislative reforms allowing foreign ownership in designated areas of Sharjah.

Emirati investors topped the list with 7,198 properties, followed by Indian (796), Syrian (502), Egyptian (391), Iraqi (318), and Jordanian (303) investors.

Ajman registered Dhs5.55 billion in total transactions, reflecting a 29 per cent increase. Of this, Dhs3.69 billion came from 3,132 2 sales and purchase transactions, and Dhs905 million from 498 mortgage transactions, with the remainder comprising grants and property exchanges.

Meanwhile, real estate transactions in Ajman reached Dhs2.06 billion in March 2025, marking a significant increase of over 41 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

Omar Bin Omair Al Muhairi, Director-General of the Ajman’s Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation, said the emirate recorded 1,025 real estate transactions in March, with trading volume totalling Dhs1.03 billion.

He noted that “Al Heliow 1” recorded the highest property sale at Dhs43 million.

He added that March also witnessed 156 mortgage transactions amounting to Dhs299 million. The highest mortgage value, Dhs40 million, was recorded in the “Al Nuaimiya 3” area.

In Ras Al Khaimah, residential off-plan sales exceeded Dhs2.4 billion from more than 1,300 transactions, according to a report by CBRE, highlighting continued demand in the northern emirate’s housing market.

WAM