Dubai Real Estate Transactions Rise 20% to $18.68 Billion in April

DUBAI, UAE - Dubai’s real estate market recorded a strong recovery in April 2026, with total registered transaction values rising 20% month-on-month to $18.68 billion (AED68.6 billion), according to a new market analysis published by Elite Merit Real Estate.

The rebound marks the first significant recovery following a temporary slowdown in late February and March, which was largely attributed to broader regional geopolitical uncertainty. According to the report, April’s performance suggests that the market correction was driven primarily by investor sentiment rather than any deterioration in underlying market fundamentals.

A total of 18,847 transactions were recorded during the month, highlighting the continued depth of activity across Dubai’s residential and investment property sectors.

Mortgage activity posted one of the strongest increases, rising 33.5% month-on-month to $3.95 billion (AED14.52 billion). Meanwhile, cash transactions increased 13.5% to $13.16 billion (AED48.34 billion), reflecting continued confidence among both end-users and investors.

Off-plan developments remained the dominant force within the market, accounting for 70.5% of adjusted market share. Off-plan apartment transactions alone reached $5.36 billion (AED19.7 billion), representing the highest monthly total recorded so far in 2026.

“April’s rebound suggests that Dubai’s real estate market is continuing to stabilise after a short-term correction, with momentum supported by off-plan demand and selective strength across mid-market and prime segments. Early indications for May point to continued stability, with market performance increasingly defined by asset quality, location, and developer pipelines rather than broad-based expansion,” said Ilya Demidov, Managing Director at Elite Merit Real Estate.

The report also highlighted continued strength within Dubai’s luxury property segment.

Transactions involving properties valued at more than $2.72 million (AED10 million) reached a record 995 deals during April, accounting for 5.9% of total market activity. The growth was largely supported by investor interest in high-profile developments including Palm Jebel Ali and Aman Residences.

While transaction activity remained strong, rental market indicators showed early signs of moderation.

Dubai’s citywide rental index declined 1.26% month-on-month, marking the first negative monthly movement recorded during the current property cycle. As a result, average gross rental yields compressed slightly to 6.62%.

The report also identified growing divergence between off-plan and secondary market performance.

Resale transaction volumes declined 43% year-on-year, highlighting what analysts describe as a two-speed market where newly launched developments continue to significantly outperform existing inventory.

Performance across individual communities varied considerably during the month.

Mid-market locations continued to attract strong demand, with Jumeirah Golf Estates Apartments recording monthly growth of 5.75%, while Dubai South increased by 2.64%.

In contrast, several ultra-prime communities remained in a price-discovery phase. Emirates Hills recorded a monthly decline of 15.43%, while apartments on Jumeirah Bay Island fell 8.30% during the same period.

The findings reflect an increasingly selective market environment where buyers and investors are placing greater emphasis on location, product quality, long-term value, and developer reputation.

As Dubai continues to transition toward a more mature real estate cycle, analysts expect market performance to become increasingly driven by project fundamentals and end-user demand rather than broad-based price appreciation.