Contrary to the long-held belief that Dubai’s real estate market slows during the sweltering summer months, new data reveals that summer has become the busiest time of year for both property sales and rentals.
An in-depth analysis by Bayut, the UAE’s leading real estate portal, using figures from the Dubai Land Department (DLD), shows that summer 2024 registered the highest volume of real estate activity for the year. Between June and September, 64,596 property sales were recorded — marking an 18.1% increase over spring and a 38.1% surge compared to the cooler winter season. On the rental front, 372,337 contracts were signed, confirming summer as the peak period for tenant activity.
This trend is not a one-off. Over the past three years, Dubai has consistently seen rising transaction volumes during summer months. Property sales in summer 2024 rose by 37.7% over the same period in 2023, which had already posted a 38.5% increase from 2022.
Experts attribute the seasonal shift to a combination of strong economic conditions, increased investor confidence, and the adoption of advanced real estate technologies. “What was once seen as a seasonal lull has evolved into a key opportunity window for buyers, sellers, and investors,” said V. Sivaprasad, Chairman of Condor Developers. “Summer has now become the hottest time to make a move.”
Haider Ali Khan, CEO of Bayut, echoed this sentiment, noting that year-round decision-making has become the new norm. “Our data confirms that housing decisions are no longer confined to traditional seasons. With tools like our Dubai Transactions platform and TruEstimate valuation engine, users are better equipped to act at any time.”
With summer 2025 underway, the outlook remains bullish. Over 100,000 new expatriates arrived in the city in the first quarter alone, fuelling housing demand and prompting developers to launch new projects. Bayut’s TruEstimate tool has generated over 300,000 custom valuation reports, helping buyers and sellers benchmark prices more accurately.
Rising rents are also pushing many residents to consider ownership. According to CBRE, average apartment rents rose 21.7% in the year to April 2025, while villa rents jumped 23.4%. This, coupled with steady growth in capital values, has spurred a noticeable shift from renting to buying.
Foreign investor interest remains strong, with capital flowing in from Europe, India, and China. DLD data shows real estate transactions hit over Dh430 billion in 2024, up from Dh411 billion the previous year.
With inventory tight, particularly in prime areas, experts warn that supply is struggling to match demand — a dynamic that is likely to further intensify summer activity. As promotional offers and project launches target expats and overseas buyers, Dubai’s property sector is rewriting the rules of seasonality.
“Dubai’s real estate market is no longer dictated by weather,” noted one property analyst. “It’s driven by data, demand, and decisive investors — summer included.”
