Dubai’s real estate market continued its strong start to 2026, with transactions totaling approximately AED 18.77 billion (roughly $5.1 billion USD) during the week ending February 6th, according to data released by the Dubai Land Department (DLD). This figure represents 5,266 transactions, including AED 14.94 billion in sales.
The DLD data, disseminated via the Dubai REST app, reveals a breakdown of sales: 3,450 transactions involved residential units, 449 concerned buildings, and 329 were for land. Sales of ready-to-occupy properties reached AED 7.58 billion through 1,507 transactions, while off-plan property sales amounted to AED 7.35 billion across 2,771 transactions.
Mortgages accounted for 822 transactions, totaling AED 2.89 billion, distributed across 491 residential units, 118 buildings, and 213 land plots. Gifting transactions reached AED 943.8 million, involving 166 deals – 132 for residential units, nine for buildings, and 25 for land.
Several areas experienced particularly high sales volumes. Al Yalayis 1 led with AED 984.03 million in property sales, followed by Muhaisnah Second at AED 775.23 million, Palm Jebel Ali at AED 755.24 million, and Al Barsha at AED 668.34 million. Other notable areas included Dubai Airport City with AED 501.32 million, Nad Al Sheba First at AED 500.06 million, Palm Jumeirah at AED 387.41 million, Deira Islands at AED 387.41 million, and Jumeirah Village Circle at AED 376.77 million.
Daily transaction values also remained robust, with AED 2.84 billion in sales recorded on February 6th alone, stemming from 702 transactions, including AED 1.83 billion in sales.
The week also saw record-breaking individual transactions. A luxury off-plan apartment in Jumeirah Second was sold for AED 210 million (approximately $57.2 million USD). The 21,812 square foot property sold for AED 9,627 per square foot. A hotel in the World Islands (Zaya Zoha Island) was mortgaged for AED 552 million (approximately $150.3 million USD), at a rate of AED 1,407 per square foot, covering an area of 392,161 square feet.
These figures build on a trend of strong performance for Dubai’s real estate market. Earlier data indicated a record-breaking January for the sector, with transactions reaching a historic peak. According to Kumail Rizz, writing on LinkedIn, January 2026 saw the highest-ever monthly sales value, approximately AED 107.96 billion – nearly double the figure from the previous year. This surge was attributed to both investor and end-user activity.
The continued growth is supported by broader economic trends in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. A Deloitte report highlighted the expectation of strong growth across all real estate sectors in 2025, fueled by demand in Dubai and Umm Al Quwain. Sobha Realty, for example, reported a 30% year-on-year increase in property sales, reaching AED 30 billion, driven by new masterplan launches and international expansion.
The off-plan market, in particular, benefits from protections afforded to buyers through RERA Escrow Accounts. These accounts legally safeguard funds, and buyers can verify account details using the Dubai REST app, providing a layer of security in a market known for pre-construction sales.
As of 2025, Dubai’s population stands at 4 million, with expatriates comprising 92% of the population. This demographic profile contributes to a consistent demand for housing, further bolstering the real estate market. The wider urban area, including Sharjah, has a population of 5 million, indicating a significant regional concentration of economic activity and population growth.
The sustained momentum in Dubai’s real estate sector suggests a continued period of growth, driven by both domestic and international investment, and supported by a robust regulatory framework and a thriving economy.
