In the first quarter of 2026, Dubai's real estate market continued its strong growth momentum. The latest data shows that total transaction value across the city reached AED 176.7 billion, with nearly 48,000 transactions completed. Year-on-year, the market demonstrated a 'stable volume, strengthening prices' trend, once again highlighting Dubai's resilience and attractiveness amid global uncertainty.

Dubai Real Estate Market Remains Resilient

NO.1: Market Structure

Off-plan properties remain the core growth engine. In Q1, off-plan transactions accounted for 70% of both total transaction volume and value, playing a pivotal role in driving the market forward. In March alone, off-plan transactions exceeded 10,300 deals, with a total value of AED 31.2 billion. As development pipelines continue to progress steadily and new projects enter the market, demand for high-quality off-plan properties remains strong.

NO.2: Price Performance

Prices have remained firm, reflecting overall stability in the residential sector. The citywide average residential price reached AED 1,949 per square foot. Off-plan apartments averaged around AED 2,100 per square foot, while recently completed and secondary-market villas averaged approximately AED 2,354 per square foot. High-quality assets continue to attract strong buyer interest—particularly projects that combine prime locations, strong product quality, and long-term community value.

NO.3: Demand Structure

The demand structure is becoming increasingly clear, underpinned by long-term fundamentals. The market is no longer driven by short-term sentiment, but by a combination of long-term investors and end-users. Buyers are becoming more rational in their decision-making, focusing on price alignment, product quality, delivery credibility, and long-term community value. The market is shifting from broad-based enthusiasm to selective excellence, where projects with true competitive advantages stand out.

Overall

Q1 2026 once again demonstrates that Dubai's real estate market is advancing on a more mature and rational trajectory. The resilience of the off-plan sector, stable pricing, and continued growth in population and rental demand together form the core fundamentals supporting the market. For investors focusing on asset allocation in Dubai, the key question is no longer whether opportunities exist, but how to identify truly high-quality projects.