Off plan retained nearly three quarters of residential activity as buyer behavior became increasingly selective across locations, asset classes and price points

Dubai recorded 81,839 residential transactions worth AED 225.7 billion during H1 2026, according to Reliant Surveyors’ latest market intelligence. The first half reflected a market that remained active and resilient but increasingly differentiated across off-plan and completed properties, apartments and villas, and mainstream and luxury segments.

Off plan continued to shape market activity, recording 60,425 transactions and accounting for 73.8% of total residential sales volume. By value, off plan transactions reached AED 168.2 billion, representing 74.5% of overall residential sales value. The secondary market contributed 21,436 transactions worth AED 57.5 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 the most actively traded residential asset class, recording 68,739 transactions worth AED 133.9 billion and accounting for around 84% of residential sales activity.

Villas recorded 13,100 transactions worth AED 91.3 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 AED 1,790.8 per sq ft, compared with AED 1,852.8 per sq ft at the end of H2 2025. Villa prices remained comparatively stable at approximately AED 2,324.7 per sq ft, against AED 2,330.7 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 firmly in the market

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 AED 20 million, generating approximately AED 40.08 billion in sales value. Around 76% of luxury transactions were off plan, while 158 homes traded above AED 50 million.

The Oasis led luxury activity by transaction count with 199 sales, followed by Dubai Hills Estate and Palm Jebel Ali, while Dubai Hills Estate generated the highest luxury transaction value among the leading communities at approximately AED 6.02 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 AED 24.6 billion.

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.