Q1 2026 Dubai Market Review

Dubai's real estate market recorded 43,299 transactions in Q1 2026, totalling AED 119 billion in value. This represents a 19.2% increase year-over-year, making it the most active first quarter in the emirate's history. The apartment segment led the market with an average price of AED 1.85M, up 12.3% from Q1 2025. Villas saw more modest growth at 8.7%, with average prices reaching AED 5.2M. Rental yields remained strong at 6.8% across the market, with JVC leading at 8.5% and Business Bay close behind at 7.8%. Premium communities like Palm Jumeirah and Emirates Hills saw yield compression as capital values rose faster than rents. Off-plan transactions accounted for 58% of total volume, with Emaar, DAMAC, and Sobha capturing the lion's share of new launches.