The UAE real estate market is off to a good start in 2026. Both transaction numbers and prices saw positive growth during the first quarter of the year in all major cities. While Dubai and Abu Dhabi have seen considerable growth, Sharjah and Ajman have experienced stable growth. There is much investor confidence in the market due to the positive growth in both the residential and commercial sectors.
Dubai led the UAE real estate boom in Q1 2026 with a total of 718,160 transactions and 60,303 disposals. It marked a 6% increase compared to the previous year, representing a 31% jump. The total transaction value reached AED 252 billion. 57,744 investments worth AED 173 billion were made by 48,448 investors. Notably, this figure included 29,312 new investors.
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Abu Dhabi recorded its strongest quarter to date. Real estate transactions increased to AED 66 billion from the previous year’s AED 25.31 billion. The number of transactions also jumped to 13,518, almost double the 6,896 recorded last year. This highlights a strong participation in the property sector by both institutional and private investors.
Sharjah's property market has expanded sharply. The trading value reached AED 18.5 billion, marking a year-on-year jump of 40.7%. The number of transactions also rose to 29,235. Investor diversity widened significantly, with buyers hailing from 113 different nationalities. UAE nationals contributed approximately AED 9 billion, while investors from the GCC, Arab nations, and the international community collectively contributed AED 9.5 billion.
Ajman reported a growth of 12% by total transactions amounting to AED 6.22 billion across 3,890 deals. Trading activity showed consistent demand, particularly within the Emirate's affordable housing and mid-segment properties, reaching AED 4.24 billion through 3,128 transactions.
The real estate industry in the UAE is seeing a positive trend owing to investments, diversification, and increased transactions. The UAE property market has emerged as a highly resilient real estate market in the region with the help of market participation and investment.