Dubai real estate sales surge to AED 253.6bn in January–May 2026 as transactions top AED 371.9bn
Dubai real estate sales climbed to AED 253.59 billion in the first five months of 2026, underpinning a strong start to the year for the property market.
Dubai’s property market posted robust activity from January through May 2026, with total real estate transactions reaching AED 371.85 billion and 91,515 recorded dealings. The surge in Dubai real estate sales, driven by a mix of residential, building and land deals, signals continued investor confidence in the emirate’s market.
Dubai records AED 371.85 billion in property transactions through May 2026
Total transaction value in Dubai from January to May stood at AED 371.85 billion, generated by 91,515 separate transactions. This figure reflects the combined value of sales, mortgages and other recorded property dealings in the emirate over the five-month period.
The strong aggregate demonstrates both resale activity and new contractual movements across Dubai’s market, marking one of the busiest starts to a year in recent memory.
Sales breakdown: 72,090 sales include 59,407 residential transactions
Sales accounted for AED 253.59 billion of the total, recorded across 72,090 sales transactions between January and May. Residential units dominated the sales mix with 59,407 recorded purchases, highlighting sustained demand for housing stock.
Sales of entire buildings numbered 6,546 transactions, while land sales reached 6,137, reflecting continuing appetite for development plots as well as finished residential stock.
May activity: AED 29.23 billion in sales, AED 51.57 billion total transactions
May 2026 alone produced AED 29.23 billion in property sales from 10,298 sales transactions, while the overall transaction value for the month was AED 51.57 billion. Total transactions in May numbered 13,439, underscoring a particularly active trading month.
Residential sales were again the largest component in May, with 9,088 unit sales recorded, alongside 622 building deals and 588 land sales.
Mortgages and gifts drive significant transaction values
Mortgage activity contributed heavily to the year-to-date volume, with mortgage registrations totaling AED 91.75 billion through May. Mortgage transactions showed that financing remains a central mechanism enabling purchases across buyer segments.
Gifted property transfers also represented a notable share, with gifts valued at AED 26.51 billion across 3,488 transactions during the five-month span, and AED 4.8 billion in gifts recorded in May from 737 transactions.
Developers’ project diversity credited for investor interest
Industry observers point to a widening variety of projects as a primary driver of the market’s resilience. New launches spanning luxury developments, mid-market communities and tech-enabled smart buildings have broadened options for both end-users and investors.
Market sources say this diversification is attracting different buyer profiles and geographic sources of capital, helping Dubai maintain momentum despite global economic fluctuations.
Market outlook and expert assessments
Market veterans said the figures confirm the sector’s strength and long-term appeal. Raed Ramadan, general manager of Awad Qaraqash Real Estate, noted that the continued rise in Dubai real estate sales reflects increasing investor trust and the emirate’s ability to offer a range of assets that meet varied investor needs.
Fouad Jassim, director of Manarat Al Shati Real Estate, described the performance as evidence of market resilience and sustainable demand, adding that Dubai’s property market has historically shown the capacity to absorb external shocks while preserving attractive long-term returns.
Dubai’s property market now faces the near-term task of balancing supply and demand as several large-scale projects progress, and secondary market dynamics adjust to new completions. Observers will watch upcoming monthly data for trends in prices, rental yields and the mix of domestic versus international buyers.
The data through May 2026 provide a clear early-year snapshot: elevated sales values, strong mortgage activity and continued interest in both completed properties and land indicate a market that is active, diversified and drawing capital from a wide investor base.
