H1 2026: AED 286 billion in Dubai property sales, two in three deals off-plan, and 161,000 new residents

By Ansh Virmani, CEO11 August 2026Market

The first half of 2026 is now in the books. Sales value came in about 12% below the H1 2025 record and was still the second-strongest first half ever recorded. Value fell, volumes held, and the off-plan share rose. The population data published alongside it explains why demand has held.

The sales numbers

Khaleej Times reported that Dubai property sales reached Dh286 billion in H1 2026 as market momentum stayed strong. The detailed DLD breakdown, as reported by Emirates 24|7, puts total real estate transactions at about AED 419.9 billion across 112,850 transactions, of which sales accounted for AED 286.44 billion through 86,000 deals. Ready property sales were the largest by value at AED 146.69 billion across 27,160 transactions, while off-plan sales totalled AED 139.75 billion through 58,840 transactions.

Reading the off-plan split

Off-plan was roughly two-thirds of deals by count but under half by value. That tells you the average off-plan ticket is smaller than the average ready ticket: launches are pulling in volume at the entry and mid market, while ready sales carry the larger villa and prime transactions. Both halves are healthy, and they are different markets. A first-time investor and a family buying a ready villa are not competing for the same stock.

The demand side: population

Khaleej Times, citing the Dubai Population Clock, reported that Dubai's population passed 4.74 million on 30 July 2026, an increase of more than 161,000 residents since the start of the year, from 4.58 million at the end of 2025. New residents overwhelmingly rent first, which is the simplest explanation for why rents and yields have held while price growth has moderated.

Who is buying

Khaleej Times also reported that Indian, UK and Egyptian investors topped Dubai property buyers in 2026, consistent with the pattern of recent years and with our own client base.

What we are telling clients for the second half

1. The ready market is where the value transactions are. If your brief is a villa or a prime apartment, the secondary market is active and negotiable, especially with sellers who bought off-plan and are now holding keys.
2. Off-plan needs developer selection more than ever. Volume at the entry level means more launches from more developers. Delivery record is the filter.
3. Yield is intact. With 161,000 new residents in seven months, rental demand is not the risk. Service charges and building quality are.

For a shortlist built on the H1 data, send us your budget, purpose and timeline and we will come back within a working day.

Three questions clients ask

Is the market slowing?

Sales value was about 12% below the H1 2025 record, and still the second-strongest first half ever. Growth is normalising from the extreme rates of 2022 to 2024; that is a cooler market, not a falling one.

Where are the buyers coming from?

Khaleej Times reports Indian, UK and Egyptian investors topped Dubai property buyers in 2026, consistent with the pattern of recent years.

What should I do in the second half?

It depends on the brief. Ready villas and prime apartments are negotiable with sellers who now hold keys; off-plan needs a strict developer filter; yield briefs should focus on service charges and building quality rather than district averages.

Ansh Virmani

CEO of TVG Realtors and The Virmani Group. Boston University mathematics and economics graduate, licensed Dubai broker and Country Director of BRICS CCI UAE. He publishes weekly at virmaniviews.com.

TVG Realtors is an independent brokerage. Market figures are quoted from the named third-party sources as published on the dates cited and may have been revised since. Nothing here is investment, legal or tax advice.