About the data
Where does the data come from?
Every transaction is sourced from the Dubai Land Department (DLD) public Open Data register - the official government record of property transactions in Dubai. We filter it to completed, ready and secondary-market residential sales and map each one to a consistent community. See the methodology for the full process.
What counts as a "ready-market" sale?
A completed, registered sale of an existing residential property - an apartment, villa, or townhouse - transferred between arm's-length parties. It excludes developer pre-sales of unbuilt units (off-plan) and non-sale transfers.
Does it include off-plan sales?
No. Developer pre-sales, unbuilt units, and speculative paper trades are excluded - only completed, registered ready-property sales appear.
What about gifts, mortgages, and nominal transfers?
Gift and nominal transfers are excluded, so the averages reflect genuine market prices. Per-sale financing or mortgage status isn't shown at all, because it can't be reliably derived from the public DLD data - and we'd rather show nothing than guess.
How often is the data updated?
The dataset comes from the DLD register; each transaction appears once it's completed and registered. A "verified through" date is shown sitewide so you can always see how current the underlying register is.
Why isn't a building or area I expect showing up?
Two common reasons. First, properties registered with the DIFC Registrar of Real Property - a separate authority from the DLD - don't appear in DLD Open Data, so they aren't included. Second, the same community is sometimes recorded under several spellings in the raw register; we map these to one consistent name, so try searching the area or master community rather than an exact building string.
Is DIFC included?
No. Properties inside the DIFC are registered with the DIFC Registrar of Real Property - a separate authority from the DLD - so they fall outside DLD Open Data and don't appear on KhaleejKeys.
Prices & value
What's the average property price in Dubai?
It varies widely by community and property type - from a few hundred dirhams per sqft in the most affordable communities to several thousand in prime areas like Downtown Dubai and Palm Jumeirah. Rather than a single headline number, search a specific building or community on KhaleejKeys for figures that actually apply to it.
What's the average price per sqft in Dubai?
There's no single figure that's meaningful Dubai-wide. Price per sqft ranges from a few hundred dirhams in the most affordable communities to several thousand in prime waterfront and central districts, and shifts with unit size, building age, and view. Search a specific community on KhaleejKeys to see its real 90-day average.
Which community has the highest price per sqft?
Prime waterfront and central areas - Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai Marina - consistently record the highest average AED/sqft for ready sales, with the most sought-after buildings well above the citywide range. The live figures sit on each community's page.
Which areas offer the best value per sqft?
More affordable, end-user-driven communities - International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Discovery Gardens, and Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) - tend to record the lowest price per sqft for ready transactions, which is part of why they're popular with investors looking at rental yield.
Mortgages & buying costs
What's the minimum down payment for a mortgage in Dubai?
For a first home under AED 5 million, the UAE Central Bank sets the minimum at 20% for expat residents and 15% for UAE nationals; above AED 5 million it's 30% for everyone. Non-resident overseas buyers generally can't get a UAE mortgage and purchase in cash.
Can expats get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes - expat residents with a UAE visa can borrow from UAE banks, subject to income, length of employment, and credit checks. Non-resident overseas buyers generally can't access UAE mortgages.
What's the current mortgage interest rate in Dubai?
UAE mortgage rates are usually tied to EIBOR plus a bank margin, or fixed for an initial period, so they move with the rate cycle and vary by lender and profile. Compare quotes from several banks rather than relying on a single headline rate. Our mortgage calculator lets you set the rate yourself.
What's the DLD transfer fee?
The Dubai Land Department charges a 4% transfer fee on the registered value when a property changes hands, paid by the buyer. It's one of the larger upfront costs on top of the down payment.
How long does the mortgage process take in Dubai?
Pre-approval typically takes one to two weeks; final approval and drawdown after a signed sale agreement usually another three to four weeks - roughly four to six weeks end to end, though straightforward cases can be faster.
Using KhaleejKeys
Can I use this for investment decisions?
KhaleejKeys provides factual transaction data for research. It is not financial or investment advice. Always consult a RERA-registered agent and an independent financial adviser before making a property decision.
Can I reuse or cite the figures?
You're welcome to reference the figures shown, cited as derived from Dubai Land Department Open Data via KhaleejKeys. Bulk-scraping the database or reselling the raw register as a dataset isn't permitted - see Legal.
Is KhaleejKeys affiliated with the DLD?
No. KhaleejKeys is independent and not affiliated with, authorised by, or endorsed by the Dubai Land Department or the Government of Dubai.