RAK Ready Property Sales Top $170 Million in H1 2026 – Cavendish Maxwell

RAS AL KHAIMAH: Apartment prices in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) rose by 6.5% year-on-year in H1 2026, with villa prices climbing almost 6% in the same period, according to new research by leading real estate advisory group and property consultancy, Cavendish Maxwell.

Rents in RAK were also up, with apartments commanding over 7% more and villas 8% more in annual leasing costs compared to H1 2025. However, sales prices and rental rates declined slightly over the last 3 months, suggesting early signs of market moderation, the company said.

Freehold ready residential transaction values topped $170.2 million (AED625 million) in H1, up nearly a quarter on H2 2025 but down 3.3% year-on-year according to Cavendish Maxwell’s report.

Around 600 new residential units were delivered in RAK in H1 2026, with another 1,600 expected in H2.

Yousir Habib, Associate Director at Cavendish Maxwell Ras Al Khaimah, said: “Ras Al Khaimah’s underlying economic environment remains supportive, with continued investment flows, business formation and employment growth providing a foundation for residential real estate demand. However, regional uncertainty has led to more caution among buyers and tenants, in turn contributing to a softer near-term price and rental performance.

“With 13,800 new homes in the pipeline between now and the end of 2028, upcoming supply is an important factor for the market. Increased supply means greater competition between developments, which could result in more measured price and rental growth. The opening of Wynn Al Marjan Island – currently anticipated for Autumn 2027 – will be a key medium-term demand catalyst, potentially supporting tourism inflows, stimulating employment and creating additional housing demand, particularly in communities close to Al Marjan Island.

“Given their potential impact on buyer and tenant sentiment, regional geopolitical developments remain a key factor to monitor in H2. However, RAK’s economy has, so far, remained relatively resilient, with continued investment, business formation and employment growth in the last 6 months. H2 performance data should provide a clearer picture on whether the price and rent moderation is temporary or marks a broader shift in market conditions,” he added.

Sales values

Ras Al Khaimah’s freehold ready property market secured transactions totalling $170.2 million (AED625.2 million) in H1, down 3.3% compared to the same period last year but up 24% on H2 2025. The annual decline was primarily driven by the villa segment, with transaction values down more than 7% year-on-year to just under $81.1 million (AED298 million). The apartments segment was stable, with sales values rising 0.7% to nearly $89.3 million (AED328 million).

Quarterly transaction values reached almost $96.4 million (AED354 million) in Q2, up nearly a third compared to Q1, with apartments securing nearly $42.5 million (AED156 million) worth of sales and villas just over $53.9 million (AED198 million).

Price points and rental rates

While RAK property sales prices rose annually, they declined slightly over the last 3 months, the research shows. Apartments prices were down 0.7% and villa prices 0.2%.

The sales price trend was mirrored in the apartment rental sector: an annual rise but a 1.4% decline in rental rates in the past 3 months. Villas, however, commanded nearly 1% higher rents in the same period, suggesting that apartments rents are more sensitive to the current cautious environment.

New supply

Ras Al Khaimah is stepping up new home deliveries over the next two years, with 13,800 units in the pipeline until 2028. This year will see a total of 2,200, followed by 4,700 in 2027 and 7,500 in 2028. Demand absorption, which will depend on continued employment growth and the attraction – and retention – of residents, is an important factor for future market performance, Cavendish Maxwell said.