Local and international demand gives Dubai real estate strong momentum for the second half of 2026

Walid Al Zarouni, Chairman of the Board of Directors of W Capital Real Estate Brokerage, said that all current indicators suggest the continued strong performance of the market during the second half of the year, with the possibility of recording new record levels in real estate sales and transactions, supported by the strength of the UAE economy, continued foreign direct investment flows, continued growth in non-oil sectors, increasing numbers of residents and residents, and high demand from international investors looking for stable returns and safe assets.
He added that these factors combined make the year 2026 a candidate to be among the best years in the history of the real estate market in Dubai, as the emirate continues to consolidate its position as one of the most important real estate and investment destinations in the world.
In addition, a monitoring prepared by the real estate brokerage company W Capital showed that the real estate market in Dubai achieved sales exceeding 286 billion dirhams during the first half of 2026, recording the second highest semi-annual sales in the history of the emirate.
This performance exceeds only the first half of 2025, which recorded sales amounting to 326.6 billion dirhams, according to monitoring based on data from the Dubai Land Department.
These sales included more than 86 thousand transactions, including 71.5 thousand transactions for residential units, 7296 for buildings, and 7129 for lands.
Ready real estate sales dominated the largest share of total sales, reaching 146.7 billion dirhams, through the implementation of 27.2 thousand transactions, distributed by 18.3 thousand transactions for residential units, 1738 transactions for buildings, and 7135 transactions for lands.
Off-plan real estate sales also amounted to 139.8 billion dirhams through 58.8 thousand transactions, divided into 53.27 thousand transactions for residential units and 5,563 transactions for buildings.

The monitoring indicated that the value of mortgage transactions exceeded more than 102 billion dirhams through more than 22 thousand transactions in the first half of 2026, distributed by 14.5 thousand transactions for residential units, 2582 for buildings, and 5234 for lands, while donations amounted to 31.4 billion dirhams through the implementation of 4501 transactions distributed by 3506 for residential units and 260 For buildings and 735 for lands.

The value of real estate transactions in Dubai during the first half of the year amounted to about 419.94 billion dirhams, through the implementation of 112.85 thousand transactions.
In terms of sales for the second quarter of the year (April – June), they exceeded 110 billion dirhams, after implementing 38.3 thousand transactions, while mortgages recorded 42.6 billion dirhams through 10,522 transactions, while the value of gifts reached 16 billion dirhams through 2,449 transactions.
The total real estate transactions in the second quarter of 2026 amounted to more than 169.04 billion dirhams, through the implementation of 51.17 thousand transactions.

Al Zarouni stressed that the results achieved by the real estate market in Dubai during the first half of 2026 confirm the strength of the sector and its ability to continue growth, noting that recording the second highest semi-annual sales in the history of the market, despite comparison with an exceptional year such as 2025, reflects the continued real demand for real estate, and the high levels of confidence among local and international investors, as well as the strength of the economic foundations on which the market is based.

Al Zarouni pointed out that the record performance witnessed by the real estate market in Dubai is no longer a temporary phenomenon, but rather a reflection of a sustainable growth path supported by an ambitious government vision, a flexible legislative system, and a global infrastructure, in addition to the competitive tax environment, and the continued development of qualitative projects that meet the needs of various segments of investors.

He added that these factors made Dubai one of the most attractive and stable real estate destinations in the world, and enhanced its ability to attract capital and wealthy people from various markets.

Al Zarouni explained that the second half of 2026 carries very positive indicators, in light of the continued population growth, the high demand for residential units, the expansion of international companies in making Dubai their headquarters, as well as the continued launch of new projects with international specifications, which will support market activity in various sectors, whether ready real estate or projects under development, in addition to the continued momentum in the luxury real estate sector.

He added that the improvement in global geopolitical conditions and the decline in tensions compared to the previous period would enhance investor confidence and raise investment appetite globally, which would reflect positively on markets that enjoy factors of stability and transparency, most notably Dubai.
He pointed out that the emirate has proven over the past years its ability to transform global challenges into opportunities, thanks to the flexibility of its economy and its rapid response to changes, which puts it in a strong position to attract more real estate investments during the next stage.