How to Accurately Price Your Home for Sale in Dubai’s Market

Putting a price on your home isn’t just about counting the rooms or measuring the floor space. It’s more about the memories you made there, where it’s located and the timing of the sale. In the case of a fast-moving city like Dubai, it’s also about understanding how the market works. Whether your home is in Dubai Marina or Al Barsha, setting the right price can help you sell quickly or leave your listing sitting with no offers for months.

At Betterhomes, we have been part of Dubai’s property market for over 3 decades, and the question we hear most is, “What’s the right price for my home?” In this blog, we will walk you through what goes into pricing your property and help you make smart, confident decisions in today’s market. So let’s break it down.

Why Pricing Matters?

You might think it’s better to price your home high; after all, buyers will negotiate, right? Sure, some will. But most won’t even show up if the price feels too far off. In today’s Dubai market, buyers are doing their homework. They have got listings bookmarked, agents on WhatsApp, and data at their fingertips. If your price doesn’t make sense in the first few seconds of scrolling, you have lost them.

Here’s what happens:

• If you overprice your home, you get fewer viewings. It sits on the market longer, and eventually, you drop the price.
• If you underprice it, you risk leaving money on the table, especially in high-demand areas like Jumeirah Village Circle or Downtown Dubai.

Dubai’s property market moves fast. It reacts to things like visa changes, interest rates, new developments, and even global politics. But to give you a rough idea, as of early 2025, the average price per square foot in Dubai is:

Apartments: AED 1,300 - 1,600/sq. ft. in areas like Downtown and Dubai Marina

Villas: AED 2,200 - 2,700/sq. ft. in communities like Arabian Ranches or The Springs

Affordable communities (e.g., International City): AED 500 - 800/sq. ft.

But averages are just starting points. What matters is what similar homes like yours are selling for right now, not six months ago.

So, here’s what you should do to accurately price your home in Dubai’s property market.

Do Your Research

Before you call an agent or list your property, open a few Dubai property portals like Betterhomes. Search for homes similar to yours in your neighbourhood with the same number of bedrooms, roughly the same size and the same building if it's an apartment. Analyse asking prices, how long those homes have been listed, and if some listings have dropped their price recently.

Let’s say you own a 2-bedroom apartment in Bonnington Tower, JLT. You notice three similar apartments listed for AED 2,100,000 to 2,650,000. One of them has been sitting on the market for 90 days. That’s a warning sign because it might be priced too high. Now, check recently sold listings if available (some agents can help with that). These tell you what buyers are paying.

Work With An Agent

Some sellers try to sell their homes on their own to avoid paying commissions. But you must understand that a good agent does much more than just put your property online. They bring serious buyers, negotiate better deals, and take care of all the paperwork. When choosing an agent, look for someone who knows your area well, has closed recent sales (not just listed homes), and gives you honest advice. A smart question to ask is, “What do you think is a realistic price for my home, and why?” If their answer sounds like a guess or just repeats what you want to hear, think twice.

Keep Emotions Apart

This part can be hard for many sellers. You might have lived in your home for 10 years, raised a family there, and spent money on upgrades like imported tiles and custom wardrobes. To you, it feels priceless, but to a buyer, it’s just a 3-bedroom home in Meadows with a nice layout. That’s why it’s important to separate your emotions from the actual market value. Try to see your home the way a buyer would. Ask yourself, “If I didn’t own this place, would I pay this much for it?” That one simple question can help you look at things more clearly.

Don’t Copy Asking Prices

The price you see online isn’t always the price a home sells for. Many sellers start high, hoping to get lucky, but real sale prices are usually lower. Agents can check Dubai Land Department data to see what homes are selling for. For example, a 2-bedroom apartment in Jumeirah Golf Estates might be listed at AED 2,700,000, but recent sales show most are selling for around AED 2,100,000 to 2,200,000. That’s a big difference. Ask your agent for a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) with recent sales in your area.

Some sellers ask, “Can’t I just add AED 100K for negotiation?” You can, but you need to be smart about it. For example, if your goal is to sell for AED 2,500,000, listing at AED 2,600,000 is okay. But if you list at AED 2,900,000 just hoping someone will bargain down, it could backfire. Most buyers search for homes online using price filters. So if a buyer is only looking up to AED 2,600,000, they won’t even see your AED 2,900,000 listing, even if you are happy to accept AED 2,500,000. It’s okay to add a small buffer, but stay within a realistic range to avoid missing serious buyers.

Learn From Other Listings

If you find a similar home that’s been listed for a long time without selling, it’s worth taking a closer look. There’s probably a reason it hasn’t sold, and you can learn from it.

Inspect the Photos

Are they dark, blurry, or taken at odd angles? Poor photos can turn buyers off right away, even if the home is great. Make sure your listing has clear, high-quality images that show your home in the best light.

Look at the layout.

If the other home has a strange or less practical floor plan and yours is similar, that could be a red flag. Buyers might hesitate for the same reason, so you may need to adjust your price a little to reflect that.

Be Ready To Adjust

Suppose you put your home on the market, and two weeks passed. Only a few people came to see it, but no one made an offer. That’s a sign that the market is telling you something. If there’s still no serious interest after 30 days, it may be time to lower your price a little. The first month is the most important time to attract buyers. If your price is too high, you could miss out on good offers. So don’t waste that early window by holding out for more than the market is willing to pay.

Conclusion

Selling a home in Dubai isn’t too complicated, but you do need a smart plan. One of the most important parts is setting the right price. If you price it too high, your home could sit on the market for months. But if you price it right, you could get a good offer in just a few weeks. To do this, look at current listings and recent sales. Try to see your home the way a buyer would. Think about things like location, the view, and any upgrades, and don’t let your emotions set the price. Work with an agent who knows your area well. If you follow these steps, you can make all the difference when selling your home in Dubai.

Selling your property in Dubai? Let our expert agents help you price it right. Contact us today for a free property valuation and personalised market insights.