Dubai home seekers are increasingly choosing communities that offer green spaces, waterfront living and family-friendly amenities over well-known addresses, according to new data from betterhomes.
The property brokerage said tenant enquiries have risen by about 40% year-on-year, while buyer enquiries declined by around 22%, pointing to stronger activity in the rental market.
Lifestyle drives demand
The report found that villa buyers are placing greater importance on everyday lifestyle features such as lakes, golf courses and parks rather than prestigious locations.
Among the most searched villa communities, Jumeirah Islands recorded an estimated 22% increase in rents and a 14% rise in sale prices over the past year. Dubai Hills Estate, Damac Lagoons and Mohammed Bin Rashid City also attracted strong buyer interest.
Motor City and Jumeirah Village Circle posted estimated villa price growth of about 21%, while The Springs recorded gains of nearly 14%, reflecting continued demand for larger homes in greener neighbourhoods.
Apartment trends
Downtown Dubai remained one of the city’s most searched apartment locations, although betterhomes noted that high search activity did not translate into the strongest price growth.
Apartment prices in Dubai Marina increased by an estimated 9% over the past year, while Town Square recorded gains of about 13%. Jumeirah Beach Residence and Jumeirah Lake Towers continued to attract renters looking for waterfront living, while Jumeirah Village Circle and Motor City remained popular for more affordable apartment options.
Tenant activity
The report also highlighted changing market activity, with renters driving a larger share of enquiries than buyers.
Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Hills Estate continued to rank among the city’s most established luxury communities. Meanwhile, Palm Jebel Ali and La Mer attracted interest from buyers looking at emerging developments.
British, Indian, Australian, Egyptian and Emirati nationals accounted for most recent enquiries. One- and two-bedroom apartments were the most searched property types.
“What we’re seeing in our data is a clear preference for lifestyle amenities over address prestige alone,” said Richard Waind, CEO of betterhomes. “Search interest and price growth don’t always move together, and right now tenant enquiries are outpacing buyer activity by a wide margin. It’s a shift worth watching closely over the coming months.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
