Dubai Property Sales Hit AED ۱۷۶.۷ Billion in Q۱ ۲۰۲۶ — Off-Plan Now Drives the Market

Dubai's real estate market opened ۲۰۲۶ at record pace. Total property sales reached AED ۱۷۶.۷ billion across nearly ۴۸,۰۰۰ transactions in the first quarter of ۲۰۲۶ , according to market data — extending the momentum that has defined the emirate's property sector.

January ۲۰۲۶ alone recorded roughly AED ۷۲.۴ billion in sales, reported as the highest monthly transaction value in the history of Dubai's market and up around ۶۳% year on year.

Off-plan is leading

The clearest trend is the dominance of off-plan. Between January and May ۲۰۲۶, Dubai's residential market secured around ۶۶,۹۰۰ sales — with off-plan accounting for roughly ۷۴% of transactions . Buyers continue to favour new launches for their flexible payment plans, lower entry prices and capital-growth potential.

Analysts also note that transaction values are rising faster than volumes — value up more than ۲۳% year on year against a more modest rise in deal count — pointing to a market where price strength, not just activity, is driving growth.

این برای خریداران به چه معناست

Sustained off-plan demand and steady price growth suggest continued investor confidence in Dubai. For buyers, strong demand can mean faster phase sell-outs and price escalation between launch phases — making early entry into well-located projects more important than ever. Some analysts expect off-plan volumes to ease slightly later in ۲۰۲۶ as the launch calendar normalises.

New to off-plan? Start with our step-by-step guide to buying off-plan in Dubai , see which areas offer the best returns in our ROI guide , and browse current off-plan projects .

Sources: Dubai Land Department data via Gulf News, Arabian Business and Economy Middle East (Q۱–H۱ ۲۰۲۶).