Dubai’s residential property sales surge more than 33%, reports brokerage firm

Dubai’s population is growing by over 100,000 annually, leading to a robust real estate sector. Shutterstock
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Updated 02 August 2024
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Dubai’s residential property sales surge more than 33%, reports brokerage firm

RIYADH: Dubai’s residential property sales saw a 33.5 percent annual increase in the first half of 2024 with 77,233 transactions, according to a top brokerage company.

The Gulf metropolis also recorded a total sales value of 227 billion dinars ($61.8 billion), – up 31 percent compared to the first half of 2023, according to a press release from Engel & Volkers Middle East.

The firm said the market has continued its impressive growth trajectory, breaking records and setting new benchmarks.

The brokerage house explained that key infrastructure projects, including the $8 billion drainage system, the $35 billion Al-Maktoum International Airport expansion, and the $5 billion Dubai Metro Blue Line, underscore Dubai’s commitment to growth and development.

With Dubai’s population growing by over 100,000 annually and the economy projected to expand by four percent in 2024, the real estate market outlook remains positive.

Reflecting on these achievements, Daniel Hadi, CEO of Engel & Volkers Middle East, said that the first half of 2024 has been impressive for Dubai’s residential real estate market.

“The unprecedented growth in sales transactions and value is a testament to Dubai’s resilience, strategic infrastructure investments, and its appeal to global investors. As we look ahead, we are optimistic about the sustained growth and transformation of this dynamic market,” Hadi added.

The growth underscores the robust demand and investor confidence in Dubai’s real estate market, as per the firm, which added that the off-plan market drove over 60 percent of all transactions, reflecting strong investor interest in new developments due to their availability, competitive pricing, flexible payment plans, and high return potential.

Popular communities such as Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai South, and Damac Hills 2 stood out for their affordability, modern amenities, and strategic locations.

During this period, apartments were the primary driver of growth, contributing 91 percent of the increase in transactions. Their affordability, availability, and higher returns fueled significant demand, with apartment sales comprising over 80 percent of all transactions and rising by 41 percent year-on-year.

The total transaction value increased by 33 percent, with Jumeirah Village Circle remaining the most popular community for both off-plan and secondary transactions, driven by its affordable prices, steady supply of new projects, and attractive returns for investors.

The Business Bay also continued to be in high demand, highlighting its importance in the market, the company, which is also specialized in the brokerage of commercial real estate, yachts and aircrafts, said the Engel & Volkers Middle East release.

It further stated that while the villa segment remains relatively small, it experienced significant growth in the first half of 2024, with transactions up 52 percent year-on-year and total sales value rising by 66 percent. This surge reflects demand from families seeking spacious homes and buyers looking for prime properties.

The market’s resilience was evident after the April floods, with May surpassing the previous monthly transaction record by 20 percent.

Dubai’s luxury real estate segment continues to thrive, with a 47 percent year-on-year increase in transactions.

The UAE is expected to be the largest recipient of millionaires globally in 2024, driving demand for opulent villas and branded residences.


Restaurants helps POS spending stay above $3bn: SAMA

Updated 59 min 21 sec ago
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Restaurants helps POS spending stay above $3bn: SAMA

RIYADH: Spending in restaurants and cafes helped Saudi Arabia’s weekly point-of-sale transactions stay above the $3 billion mark during the week ending Dec. 13, coming in at SR13.31 billion ($3.54 billion).

According to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank, expenditure in the sector reached SR1.73 billion, marking a 3.7 percent week-on-week increase, with the number of transactions surging by 3.2 percent to 58.49 million.

Despite this surge, the overall POS value dropped 7.9 percent, with transactions representing a 0.03 percent weekly decrease to 236.12 million.

The seven-day period saw broad declines across several sectors. Spending on freight transport, postal, and courier services recorded the sharpest drop, falling 43.3 percent to SR34.57 million. Education followed with a 42.9 percent decrease to SR124.91 million, while expenditure on laundry services declined by 15.6 percent to SR51.58 million.

Expenditure on apparel and clothing fell by 8.7 percent, and spending on telecommunications dropped by 15.5 percent. In contrast, jewelry was the only category to register growth, edging up 1.2 percent to SR329.70 million.

Spending on car rentals declined by 7.2 percent, and airline expenditure fell by 4.1 percent to SR44.39 million.

Expenditure on food and beverages saw a 14.3 percent decrease to SR2.01 billion, claiming the largest share of the POS, followed by restaurants and cafes, which retained the second position.

The Kingdom’s key urban centers mirrored the national decline. Riyadh, which accounted for the largest share of total POS spending, saw a 5.2 percent dip to SR4.63 billion, down from SR4.89 billion the previous week. 

The number of transactions in the capital settled at 74.57 million, up 0.5 percent week-on-week.

In Jeddah, transaction values decreased by 7.1 percent to SR1.77 billion, while Dammam reported an 8.7 percent dip to SR651.55 million.

POS data, tracked weekly by SAMA, provides an indicator of consumer spending trends and the ongoing growth of digital payments in Saudi Arabia. 

The data also highlights the expanding reach of POS infrastructure, extending beyond major retail hubs to smaller cities and service sectors, supporting broader digital inclusion initiatives. 

The growth of digital payment technologies aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives, promoting electronic transactions and contributing to the nation’s broader digital economy.