Dubai Real Estate Market Surges with Record Sales and Cash Transactions in 2026

The Dubai real estate market has continued its impressive trajectory, recording a strong start to the year with a surge in sales and a significant increase in cash transactions. According to a report from fäm Properties, the primary market accounted for 11,351 sales transactions worth AED42.1 billion in February, while the secondary market saw 5,628 resales valued at AED18.6 billion.

Just over 69% of all sales transactions in the secondary market were conducted in cash, reflecting the market's robust health and the confidence of buyers. The sector has accelerated well beyond the levels seen in the first two months of 2025, which set all-time annual sales records in both value and volume.

Data from DXBinteract showed that sales transactions in February climbed by 18.4% in value year-over-year (YoY) to AED60.8 billion from 16,979 deals, a 5.1% YoY increase in volume. For the first two months of 2026, total sales transactions climbed 38.8% in value to AED133.3 billion, with the number of deals rising by 13.32% to 34,452 compared to the same period in 2025.

Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, commented on the market's performance: 'The data tells a clear story of how Dubai continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets, after a record-breaking month in January. All the early growth we have seen so far this year has been built from firm foundations. This has been reinforced by the enormous lengths that the UAE government goes to in order to safeguard all its citizens and the country’s business infrastructure during uncertain times.'

The commercial sector in Dubai also performed exceptionally well in February, with office and retail sales totaling 804 deals worth AED4.1 billion, a 81.5% increase in volume YoY. The number of apartments sold climbed by 13.4% to 12,916 deals amounting to AED26.6 billion. Plots sales increased in volume by 25.3% YoY to 446 deals worth AED11.2 billion, while villa sales were down 29.3% in volume YoY to 2,802 valued at AED18.8 billion. The average property price per square foot was up by 12.2% YoY to AED1,740.

Overall, Dubai property sales in February have grown steadily over the past five years, from AED7.4 billion (3,800 transactions) in 2021 to AED15.5 billion (6,200) in 2022, AED27.2 billion (9,400) in 2023, AED36.9 billion (12,000) in 2024, and AED51.3 billion (16,200) last year.

The top five performing areas in February 2026 were: - Jumeirah Village Circle: 1,146 transactions, AED1.5 billion - Dubai South: 993 transactions, AED1.8 billion - Al Yelayiss 1: 936 transactions, AED5.5 billion - Wadi Al Safa 5: 936 transactions, AED1.7 billion - Wadi Al Safa 3: 764 transactions, AED2.0 billion

The most expensive villa sold in February was a luxury property at La Mer, fetching AED350 million, while the most expensive apartment went for AED226 million at The Alba Residences at Palm Jumeirah. Properties worth more than AED5 million accounted for 12.68% of sales, 12.67% were between AED3-5 million, 18.14% were between AED2-3 million, 32.41% were between AED1-2 million, and 24.1% were below AED1 million.

The best-selling projects in February 2026 included: - Primary Market Apartments: - Maybach 6 – Tower B: 250 units, AED424.3 million, median price AED1.4 million - Maybach 6 – Tower A: 173 units, AED280.4 million, median price AED1.4 million - Sierra By Iman: 167 units, AED247.4 million, median price AED1.3 million - Paradise View 1: 127 units, AED97.0 million, median price AED720,000 - Binghatti Vintage: 124 units, AED90.5 million, median price AED691,000

- Primary Market Villas: - Damac Islands 2 – Bahamas 1: 139 units, AED449.6 million, median price AED2.9 million - Damac Islands 2 – Bahamas 2: 126 units, AED391.6 million, median price AED2.8 million - Damac Islands 2 – Maui: 120 units, AED439.6 million, median price AED2.9 million - Salva The Heights: 120 units, AED1.0 billion, median price AED8.4 million - Serro 2 The Heights: 115 units, AED950.3 million, median price AED8.2 million

- Resale Apartments: - Ashjar: 47 units, AED94.8 million, median price AED2.0 million - The Neighbourhood C1: 46 units, AED92.8 million, median price AED1.9 million - Sobha Creek Vistas Tower A: 31 units, AED32.9 million, median price AED997,700 - Peninsula Three: 26 units, AED50.2 million, median price AED1.9 million - Peninsula Four: 25 units, AED68.8 million, median price AED2.1 million

- Resale Villas: - Rukan 3: 58 units, AED85.6 million, median price AED1.2 million - Damac Lagoons – Portofino: 13 units, AED38.3 million, median price AED2.8 million - Aura: 13 units, AED69.1 million, median price AED5.2 million - The Valley-Nara: 13 units, AED40.1 million, median price AED2.9 million - Aura District One West – Phase 1: 13 units, AED206.2 million, median price AED14.2 million

These figures highlight the strong performance of the Dubai real estate market, driven by robust demand and a favorable economic environment. The UAE government's efforts to maintain stability and security have further boosted investor confidence, making Dubai a premier global destination for real estate investment.