Home buyer initiative spurs Dh90B property deal boom

Dubai’s property sector, long known for its appeal to global investors and high networth individuals, is now witnessing a structural shift in the wake of a game-changing initiative.

- Issac John

According to Dubai Land Department data, Dubai’s property sector saw transactions surpass Dh90 billion in July and August, up nearly 12 per cent year-on-year, driven by the launch of the First-Time Home Buyer Programme in July 2025.

The initiative has opened doors for Emiratis and expatriates who previously found homeownership out of reach, injecting fresh momentum into the market. Spearheaded by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the programme is already being hailed as a game-changer for Dubai’s housing landscape.

At its core, the programme offers aspiring homeowners priority access to new launches, preferential prices, and tailored mortgage solutions. Participating developers — from giants like Emaar, Damac, and Nakheel to fast-rising players such as Binghatti and Danube — have pledged to allocate at least 10 per cent of units in new and ongoing projects priced below Dh5 million exclusively to first-time buyers.