Dubai Real Estate Sales Market Report 15 January 2026
Dubai Real Estate Sales Market Report
15 January 2026
Market Review
Dubai’s real estate sales market sustained its strong opening to 2026, recording 1,190 transactions on 15 January with a combined value of AED 4.41 billion (USD 1.20 billion).
The day’s activity reflected a market driven by capital deployment rather than speculation. While transaction volumes were evenly split between ready and off-plan properties, ready assets absorbed nearly two-thirds of total traded value, indicating continued preference for completed, income-ready or immediately occupiable stock. At the same time, land acquisitions dominated capital flow, pointing to aggressive forward positioning by developers and institutional buyers.
Residential assets remained the backbone of market liquidity, while commercial transactions, though limited in number, continued to post materially higher average deal sizes.
Hado Dubai Islands | Waterfront Residences in Siora by BEYOND
Source: Building Arabia.
1. Transactions by Sale Type
| Sale Type | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 932 | 3,465,377,609 | 943,601,799 |
| Mortgage | 221 | 727,475,553 | 198,087,284 |
| Gifts | 37 | 215,171,716 | 58,589,983 |
| Grand Total | 1,190 | 4,408,024,878 | 1,200,279,068 |
Direct sales accounted for approximately 79% of total value, underscoring strong cash and equity-driven activity. Mortgage-backed transactions represented a meaningful share of volume, reinforcing the presence of end-user demand alongside investor participation.
2. Transactions by Property Status
| Property Status | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready | 588 | 2,867,833,512 | 780,894,080 |
| Off-Plan | 602 | 1,540,191,366 | 419,384,987 |
| Grand Total | 1,190 | 4,408,024,878 | 1,200,279,068 |
Although off-plan transactions marginally exceeded ready sales by count, ready properties captured 65% of traded value, highlighting a clear valuation premium for completed assets.
3. Transactions by Ownership Type
| Ownership Type | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freehold | 1,131 | 4,130,560,438 | 1,124,727,144 |
| Non-Freehold | 59 | 277,464,440 | 75,551,924 |
| Grand Total | 1,190 | 4,408,024,878 | 1,200,279,068 |
Freehold assets continued to dominate, representing 94% of total value, reinforcing Dubai’s positioning as a long-term capital market rather than a short-term trading environment.
4. Transactions by Usage
| Usage | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 1,169 | 3,858,262,615 | 1,050,582,060 |
| Commercial | 21 | 549,762,263 | 149,697,008 |
| Grand Total | 1,190 | 4,408,024,878 | 1,200,279,068 |
Residential properties generated nearly all transaction volume, while commercial deals recorded significantly higher average ticket sizes, reflecting selective but high-value activity.
5. Transactions by Property Type and Subtype
This breakdown highlights where capital is concentrating within each asset class, particularly across land categories and unit-based transactions.
| Property Category | Property Subtype | Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings | Villa | 169 | 637,941,098 | 173,707,582 |
| Buildings Total | 169 | 637,941,098 | 173,707,582 | |
| Land | Airport Land | 1 | 5,889,000 | 1,603,211 |
| Commercial Land | 16 | 381,512,263 | 103,860,522 | |
| General Use Land | 3 | 82,204,263 | 22,387,246 | |
| Government Housing Land | 9 | 18,213,700 | 4,958,771 | |
| Industrial Land | 4 | 162,300,000 | 44,185,097 | |
| Labor Camp Land | 1 | 5,950,000 | 1,620,003 | |
| Land (Unspecified) | 1 | 18,710,000 | 5,094,740 | |
| Residential Land | 103 | 593,865,922 | 161,701,531 | |
| Residential / Villas Land | 14 | 414,255,000 | 112,816,570 | |
| Residential Flats Land | 2 | 36,000,000 | 9,802,378 | |
| Shop Land | 1 | 15,500,000 | 4,220,558 | |
| Unit Land | 1 | 24,500,000 | 6,671,366 | |
| Other Land | 36 | 338,666,629 | 92,207,706 | |
| Land Total | 192 | 2,097,566,777 | 571,154,942 | |
| Units | Flat | 781 | 1,438,437,530 | 391,703,064 |
| Hotel Apartment | 7 | 35,330,232 | 9,620,173 | |
| Hotel Room | 5 | 5,968,950 | 1,625,761 | |
| Office | 33 | 180,920,481 | 49,258,741 | |
| Shop | 3 | 11,859,809 | 3,228,805 | |
| Units Total | 829 | 1,672,517,003 | 455,416,544 | |
| Grand Total | 1,190 | 4,408,024,878 | 1,200,279,068 |
Land transactions were the primary value driver, accounting for nearly 48% of total market turnover, reflecting continued land banking activity across residential, commercial, and mixed-use plots. Unit sales dominated by volume, led overwhelmingly by apartment transactions.
6. Top 10 Performing Localities by Value
| Rank | Locality | Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid | 16 | 418,270,000 | 113,892,443 |
| 2 | Emirate Living | 16 | 281,504,602 | 76,652,035 |
| 3 | International City Ph 2 & 3 | 7 | 252,310,000 | 68,702,518 |
| 4 | Business Bay | 70 | 247,059,863 | 67,272,937 |
| 5 | Al Yufrah 1 | 34 | 223,921,448 | 60,972,484 |
| 6 | Al Yelayiss 1 | 64 | 213,123,048 | 58,032,143 |
| 7 | Nad Al Shiba First | 27 | 184,822,600 | 50,326,099 |
| 8 | Jabal Ali Industrial First | 3 | 155,000,000 | 42,205,582 |
| 9 | Al Khairan First | 55 | 138,440,151 | 37,696,433 |
| 10 | Burj Khalifa | 17 | 127,911,759 | 34,829,614 |
Other Active Localities
Beyond the top 10, trading activity was widely distributed across more than 80 additional areas. Notable participation was recorded in Jumeirah Village Circle (highest transaction volume), Madinat Al Mataar, Dubai Investment Park Second, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, and Dubai Hills, reflecting both mature and emerging market segments.
Market Observations
The trading profile of 15 January 2026 highlights a market characterized by capital depth and strategic positioning. High-value land acquisitions point to long-term development confidence, while sustained residential unit turnover supports liquidity and price stability. The dominance of freehold ownership and ready asset value reinforces Dubai’s role as a destination for committed capital rather than short-cycle speculation.
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 = 3.6725 UAE Dirhams
This report is merely informative, and all investments come with risk. You are responsible for your decisions.