Dubai real estate enters next phase, inspired by US the playbook

As Dubai’s real estate market matures, it is beginning to reflect the hallmarks of more advanced economies such as the United States, where innovation and open access to information have reshaped the landscape.

Across both residential and commercial sectors, the US has demonstrated how technology, data transparency, and evolving regulatory frameworks transform not just transactions, but professional behaviour. 

For Dubai’s brokers and stakeholders, two trends from the US market offer a strong preview of what’s next.

American homebuyers now expect, and demand, data-driven clarity. According to the National Association of Realtors, 100 per cent of US homebuyers use online tools, with nearly half beginning their property search entirely digitally. 

Platforms like Zillow and Redfin display pricing histories, comps, property-level insights, and even agent commissions, once closely held data but now made public.

Following a series of lawsuits, US regulators mandated the disclosure of buyer-agent compensation, further institutionaliSing clarity. This, combined with the rise of open MLS data, has changed the agent’s role, from gatekeeper to advisor. This level of access is not just a convenience. It’s a trust-builder.

In Dubai, that same transformation is underway. Portals like DXBinteract, a pioneer in property technology and data transparency in the region, have shifted the expectations of buyers, investors, and agents alike. 

Developed by fäm Properties, the portal offers live sales data, price trends, neighbourhood performance, and supply insights, all updated continuously to reflect the true market.

And while some advanced data layers are not yet available, it is already the go-to source for reliable statistics, pricing intelligence, and asset-level analysis in Dubai. The reference point for any serious market player who wants to lead with knowledge.

Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties

In the US commercial real estate sector, two factors now drive value: technology integration and environmental performance. Buildings that collect and analyse real-time data, on occupancy, energy usage, or tenant preferences, have a clear advantage. At the same time, sustainable buildings are winning. 

In top US markets, over 40 per cent of office stock is now green-certified, with LEED and Energy Star labels helping landlords command 3-4 per cent rent premiums, and longer-term tenants. Meanwhile, non-compliant buildings are suffering from the so-called “brown discount.”

Dubai’s market is beginning to shift similarly. Developers are moving toward sustainability. Tenants, especially international firms, are evaluating buildings not just on price, but on performance.

And here again, DXBinteract is positioned to play a pivotal role. While the platform does not currently track formal building classification standards, such as Grade A/B/C distinctions commonly used in mature markets, it is fast becoming the central hub for all other market indicators, operational benchmarks, and commercial analytics. 

While real estate markets in the West lead with market intelligence, Dubai is laying the groundwork for what real estate advisory looks like in its next chapter.

The market is no longer emerging, it’s evolving. And with that evolution comes a new level of accountability, intelligence, and expectation. In the US, accountability and tech have already redefined the game. In Dubai, that same shift is underway, and it’s being led from within.

The writer is CEO of fäm Properties.