Dubai Real Estate Sales Market Report – 1-3 January 2026
Dubai Real Estate Sales: 2026 Starts Strong (Jan 1-3)
Quick Summary: The year kicked off with AED 2.34 billion in sales over three days, showing solid momentum even with New Year’s Day and a weekend in the mix. While off-plan deals led in volume, ready properties captured the majority of capital—a clear sign that investors are paying a premium for immediate assets. Residential demand formed the core, with several key areas standing out for high-value activity.
Nad Al Sheba Gardens Phase 11 | Luxury Townhouses & Villas
Source: Building Arabia.
1. Key Figures at a Glance
| Metric | Total (AED) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Transactions | 699 | – |
| Total Sales Value | 2,339,691,010 | 637 Million |
Note: USD conversion at AED 3.67 = USD 1. Period includes 1 Jan (public holiday) and 3 Jan (weekend).
2. Where the Money Moved
| Transaction Type | Number of Transactions | Total (AED) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 562 | 1,733,757,702 | 472 Million |
| Mortgage | 120 | 540,699,779 | 147 Million |
| Gifts | 17 | 65,233,530 | 18 Million |
| Grand Total | 699 | 2,339,691,010 | 637 Million |
What This Means: Mortgage activity remained robust during the holiday period, accounting for nearly a quarter of the value. This points to sustained financing demand from end-users and investors.
3. The Ready vs. Off-Plan Split
| Property Status | Number of Transactions | Total (AED) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Plan | 394 | 926,169,655 | 252 Million |
| Ready | 305 | 1,413,521,356 | 385 Million |
| Grand Total | 699 | 2,339,691,010 | 637 Million |
What This Means: Off-plan sales led in volume, but ready properties secured 60% of the capital. This premium for completed assets signals strong demand for properties that can deliver immediate occupancy or rental income.
4. Ownership Trends
| Ownership Type | Number of Transactions | Total (AED) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Hold | 661 | 2,217,211,012 | 604 Million |
| Non Free Hold | 38 | 122,479,998 | 33 Million |
| Grand Total | 699 | 2,339691,010 | 637 Million |
What This Means: Freehold properties continued their dominance, representing 95% of value. This underlines their central role in Dubai’s investment landscape.
5. Market Focus
| Usage | Number of Transactions | Total (AED) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 688 | 2,177,837,523 | 593 Million |
| Commercial | 11 | 161,853,487 | 44 Million |
| Grand Total | 699 | 2,339,691,010 | 637 Million |
What This Means: Residential sales formed the overwhelming majority at 93% of value, confirming solid end-user and investor demand. Commercial deals, though few, were high-value.
6. Asset Breakdown
| Property Type | Number of Transactions | Total (AED) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land | 94 | 967,704,736 | 264 Million |
| Residential Land | 45 | 350,274,381 | 95 Million |
| General Use Land | 3 | 142,805,638 | 39 Million |
| Commercial Land | 9 | 151,005,000 | 41 Million |
| Other Land Types | 37 | 323,619,717 | 88 Million |
| Unit | 514 | 1,024,494,555 | 279 Million |
| Flat | 459 | 914,063,601 | 249 Million |
| Hotel Apartment | 13 | 50,979,886 | 14 Million |
| Other Unit Types | 42 | 59,451,068 | 16 Million |
| Building | 91 | 347,491,720 | 95 Million |
| Grand Total | 699 | 2,339,691,010 | 637 Million |
What This Means: Land sales were particularly active, generating 41% of the period’s value from just 13% of transactions. This points to strategic acquisitions and development plays early in the year. Flats remained the volume driver.
7. Top Performing Areas
| Rank | Locality | Number of Transactions | Total (AED) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nad Al Shiba First | 29 | 286,073,419 | 78.0 Million |
| 2 | Palm Jabal Ali | 11 | 157,464,000 | 42.9 Million |
| 3 | Business Bay | 46 | 148,532,594 | 40.5 Million |
| 4 | Jumeira Bay | 1 | 121,559,750 | 33.1 Million |
| 5 | La Mer | 2 | 114,214,750 | 31.1 Million |
| 6 | Dubai Investment Park Second | 27 | 107,451,176 | 29.3 Million |
| 7 | Jumeirah Village Circle | 55 | 75,742,921 | 20.6 Million |
| 8 | Burj Khalifa | 14 | 75,208,460 | 20.5 Million |
| 9 | Al Jadaf | 7 | 71,782,810 | 19.6 Million |
| 10 | Madinat Al Mataar | 28 | 57,023,456 | 15.5 Million |
Also Noteworthy
Activity was spread across 87 other localities, with Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Dubai Maritime City, Jumeirah Village Triangle, and Dubai Production City showing solid traction.
What This Means: Nad Al Shiba First led with strong land and villa transactions. The top areas reveal a balanced interest: premium waterfront (Palm Jabal Ali, Jumeira Bay, La Mer), commercial hubs (Business Bay), and high-volume residential communities (JVC). The single massive deal in Jumeira Bay highlights ongoing ultra-high-net-worth interest.
Takeaway: Dubai’s market has entered 2026 with confidence. The strong showing during a holiday period, the clear premium for ready properties, and strategic land acquisitions point to a year where quality and location will command significant attention. The mix of high-value single deals and steady residential volume suggests a healthy, two-tier market.
Disclaimer:
This report is based on publicly available data and Dubai Land Department (DLD) transaction summaries as of the date mentioned in the title of this post.
Final and detailed figures from the DLD may vary upon official release.
1 US Dollar = 3.672 UAE Dirhams
This report is merely informative, and all investments come with risk. You are responsible for your decisions.
Happy New Year