Dubai’s real estate sector demonstrated its characteristic resilience last week, as transaction volumes surged 49 per cent following the conclusion of the Eid Al Fitr holiday.
Total ex-land transactions reached Dhs8.66bn ($2.36bn) last week, up from Dhs5.82bn in the previous shortened working week, according to Dubai Land Department (DLD) data. This is specifically for the period 23 March – 29 March 2026.
The sharp recovery suggests that the prior week’s moderated performance was a temporary calendar-driven lull rather than a cooling of underlying investor appetite. The data reinforces a broader trend seen throughout 2026: a market that remains heavily weighted toward primary off-plan sales and apartment-led volume.
Primary market dominance
The off-plan segment continues to serve as the market’s primary engine, generating Dhs6.74bn and accounting for 77.8 per cent of the total weekly value. Within this category, apartments remained the preferred asset class, contributing Dhs5.46bn, or 81 per cent of off-plan value. Villas followed with a more modest share of 11.3 per cent (Dhs763.2m), while commercial assets represented 7.3 per cent.
In contrast, the secondary or “ready” market recorded Dhs1.92bn in transactions, as per DLD data. While smaller in total volume, the ready segment remains the cornerstone of the city’s established residential hubs, led by Business Bay and Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC).
Financing profiles: Strategic divergence
The funding structure of the market remains split along traditional lines. The off-plan sector continues to be primarily cash-driven, with 97.9 per cent of transactions conducted as direct sales.
Mortgages accounted for a marginal 1.3 per cent of off-plan activity, as buyers typically opt for developer-led payment plans over traditional bank financing for uncompleted projects.
The secondary (ready) market shows a higher reliance on the banking sector, with mortgages accounting for 38.3 per cent of transactions (Dhs734.8m). This distinction underscores the differing profiles of the two segments: the primary market remains a magnet for global capital and investors seeking capital appreciation, while the ready market serves as the primary gateway for end-users and residents tapping into local liquidity.
Geographic highlights and trophy deals
Investor interest remains concentrated in high-liquidity master-planned districts and emerging waterfront developments.
Jumeirah Second emerged as the week’s value leader in the off-plan segment, recording Dhs591.4m in deals. This was bolstered by the week’s standout transaction: an off-plan apartment sale worth Dhs356.2m. Other top-performing primary locations included Al Yelayiss 1 (Dhs566.1m) and Madinat Al Mataar (Dhs555.4m).
In the secondary market, Business Bay maintained its status as the most liquid district, followed by Jumeirah Village Circle and the Burj Khalifa area. The highest-value resale was an apartment in Business Bay which cleared at Dhs34.1m, while the top ready villa deal was recorded in Jumeirah Park for Dhs11.5m.
Sector outlook
The swift return to high-volume trading following the holiday period highlights the robust “buy-and-hold” sentiment currently pervading the UAE’s real estate sector. With off-plan developments continuing to absorb the lion’s share of liquidity, the market appears well-positioned to maintain its momentum through the second quarter.
As Dubai continues to expand its urban footprint toward the south and through major coastal redevelopments, these high-velocity corridors are expected to remain the focus of both regional and international portfolios.
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