January 2026 marked a strong start to the year for Dubai’s real estate market, with total property transactions reaching AED 55 billion, reflecting continued momentum across residential segments. Market activity remained resilient, supported by sustained demand from both investors and end users, particularly within the off-plan and prime residential markets.
Total sales value increased by 56% year-on-year, while transaction volumes rose 21% compared with January 2025, underscoring the depth of demand entering the market at the beginning of the year and reinforcing confidence in Dubai’s long-term fundamentals.
Off-plan remained the primary engine of growth, accounting for 10,623 transactions, or 67% of all residential sales in January. This reflects both the scale of new project launches and the continued appeal of structured payment plans, pricing visibility and long-term capital growth potential.
The secondary residential market recorded 5,149 transactions, highlighting steady activity among buyers seeking ready assets, particularly within established villa and apartment communities where resale supply remains constrained.
The ultra-luxury segment delivered several standout transactions, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global destination for prime capital. Notable sales included a one-of-a-kind six-bedroom beachfront villa on Jumeirah Bay Island transacting for AED 340 million, alongside a Palm Jumeirah villa on Frond G achieving AED 245 million.
On the development side, DAMAC Properties led off-plan launch activity in January, releasing more than 1,442 units, followed by Emaar and Binghatti, as developers continued to respond to sustained demand with new inventory entering the pipeline.
The data increasingly points to the emergence of two distinct markets: an off-plan segment driven primarily by the scale and pace of new supply entering the market, and a completed, secondary market shaped by tighter stock availability and limited resale inventory.
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