Dubai Property Market Hits $61.45 Billion in H1 2026 - Reliant Surveyors

DUBAI, UAE – Dubai recorded 81,839 residential transactions worth $61.45 billion (AED225.7 billion) during the first half of 2026, as the market remained active and resilient while becoming increasingly differentiated across property types, locations and price segments, according to Reliant Surveyors’ latest market intelligence.

The findings, detailed in the Reliant Surveyors H1 2026 Dubai Real Estate Market Report, indicate that off-plan property continued to dominate activity during the period.

Off-plan sales reached 60,425 transactions, accounting for 73.8% of total residential sales volume. By value, off-plan transactions generated $45.80 billion (AED168.2 billion), representing 74.5% of overall residential sales value.

The secondary market contributed 21,436 transactions worth $15.65 billion (AED57.5 billion).

The growing share of off-plan activity highlights continued confidence in Dubai’s development pipeline, particularly across new master communities and emerging residential corridors.

Apartments Continue to Drive Market Liquidity

Apartments remained Dubai’s most actively traded residential asset class during H1, recording 68,739 transactions worth $36.46 billion (AED133.9 billion) and accounting for around 84% of residential sales activity.

Villas recorded 13,100 transactions worth $24.86 billion (AED91.3 billion), reflecting substantially higher average transaction values and continued demand for larger residential properties and established communities.

The figures point to two distinct areas of strength within the market. Apartments continue to provide greater transaction depth and rental liquidity, while villas remain attractive for buyers focused on larger homes, long-term ownership and capital preservation.

Pricing data also indicates a more measured environment.

Average apartment sales prices closed June at approximately $487.54 (AED1,790.8) per sq ft, compared with $504.42 (AED1,852.8) per sq ft at the end of H2 2025.

Villa prices remained comparatively stable at approximately $632.91 (AED2,324.7) per sq ft, against $634.54 (AED2,330.7) six months earlier.

Gross rental yields stood at 6.93% for apartments and 4.48% for villas, maintaining apartments’ stronger income return profile.

Luxury Demand Remains Firm

Dubai’s premium residential segment continued to attract significant capital during the first half of the year.

The market recorded 1,114 transactions priced above $5.45 million (AED20 million), generating approximately $10.91 billion (AED40.08 billion) in sales value.

Around 76% of luxury transactions were off-plan, while 158 homes traded above $13.61 million (AED50 million).

The Oasis led luxury activity by transaction count with 199 sales, followed by Dubai Hills Estate and Palm Jebel Ali. Dubai Hills Estate generated the highest luxury transaction value among the leading communities at approximately $1.64 billion (AED6.02 billion).

At the wider community level, Jumeirah Village Circle led Dubai by residential transaction volume with 5,138 sales, while Damac Island City recorded the highest indicative capital exposure at $6.70 billion (AED24.6 billion).

Buyers Become More Selective

The H1 data indicates that Dubai is gradually moving from broad-based acceleration towards a more selective phase, where pricing discipline, project quality, location, infrastructure and long-term value are playing a greater role in purchasing decisions.

The market remains active, but performance is becoming increasingly dependent on the individual asset, community and development proposition.

Rather than signalling a reversal in Dubai’s residential fundamentals, H1 2026 reflects an evolving market where capital remains available but is being deployed with greater selectivity.