The emirate’s residential market recorded robust transaction activity in June even as the ValuStrat Price Index edged down to 220 points from 222.1 in May, bringing the cumulative decline in values since February 28 to 10%.
Annual price growth remained broadly stable at 0.1%, with villa values easing to 293.7 points and apartment values slipping to 169.1 points against a January 2021 base of 100.
Off-Plan Dominates Market Activity
Registration for Oqood, Dubai Land Department’s official system for off-plan properties, rose 32% month-on-month and accounted for 75% of all residential sales in June, though registrations were 16% lower on an annual basis.
The top property developers by transaction volume were Azizi (28.6%), Damac (7%), Binghatti (6.8%), Emaar (6.6%), Nakheel (3.8%), and Ellington (3.6%). Leading off-plan locations included Azizi Venice (26.1%), Dubailand Residence Complex (4.3%), Jumeirah Village Circle (4.1%), Jumeirah Islands (3.2%), and Majan (2.9%).
Ultra-Prime Segment Remains Active
A total of 19 ready-property transactions exceeded Dh30 million in June, including five deals priced above Dh50 million. These ultra-prime sales were concentrated across Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Hills Estate, Emirates Hills, Al Barari, Jumeirah Islands, Downtown Dubai, and DIFC.
Villas and Apartments Show Mixed Performance
Villa capital values declined 1.2% month-on-month, while apartment values dropped 0.6%. On an annual basis, the strongest villa gains were recorded in Jumeirah Islands (17.9%), Emirates Hills (10.7%), The Meadows (10%), The Villa (7.8%), and Mira (5.7%).
However, declines were seen in Mudon (-5%), Victory Heights (-4%), International City (-3.2%), and Dubai Hills Estate (-2.8%). None of the villa communities tracked by the VPI posted monthly gains in June.
Dubai’s older freehold villa communities are now valued 188% above post-pandemic levels and 76% above the 2014 market peak.
The apartment VPI was down 3% year-on-year. DIFC led annual gains at 8.1%, followed by Dubai Sports City (6.6%), Dubai Silicon Oasis (6.4%), and Al Quoz Fourth (6%). By contrast, Burj Khalifa (-16.7%), Jumeirah Beach Residence (-13%), and Town Square (-5.7%) posted the sharpest annual declines.
International City Phase 2 (0.1%) was the only community to register a marginal monthly gain. Overall, older freehold apartment prices remain 70% above post-pandemic levels but 8% below the 2014 market peak.
The June performance comes as the UAE property market enters a mature phase, with investor sentiment remaining broadly positive despite continued appetite for premium assets and waterfront developments.