The appetite for spacious living is soaring in Dubai as families increasingly choose to put down roots in the city. According to Property Finder’s latest report, August saw a notable shift towards larger properties, with a significant rise in the search for two-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom or larger villas and townhouses.
Data shows that 59% of property buyers were on the hunt for apartments, while 41% preferred villas and townhouses. Specifically, 36% of buyers looked for two-bedroom apartments, 32% sought one-bedroom units, and 14% were interested in studios. On the villa front, 39% searched for three-bedroom options, and a substantial 47% desired four-bedroom or larger homes.
This trend reflects a growing demand among families moving to Dubai, driven by rising rents and an influx of foreign investors. Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, emphasized that August had several project developments feeding into sustained growth in Dubai’s thriving real estate sector. He also talked about the demographics, as younger families seek more community-centric living options, while luxury demand is also on the rise with the influx of ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
The emirate’s real estate sector continues to flourish, with a marked increase in property ownership and a growing population. Dubai’s population has surged by over 115,000 this year, reaching 3.77 million, and has grown by 359,311 since January 2021. This population boom is fueling both property purchases and rental demand.
For renters, 79% are searching for apartments, with a preference for furnished options. In the villa and townhouse category, 57% sought unfurnished properties. Popular rental areas include Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Village Circle, and Downtown Dubai, while Dubai Hills Estate and Damac Hills 2 top the list for villa seekers.
Transaction values in August mirrored the peak seen in May, with 16,163 transactions recorded—a 37% increase from the previous year. The value of these transactions surged by 38% to Dh47.2 billion, highlighting the robust growth of Dubai’s real estate market.
