Dubai’s property market demonstrated remarkable resilience last week, with transaction volumes climbing sharply as activity resumed after the Eid Al Fitr holiday period. According to Dubai Land Department data, total ex-land transactions reached Dh8.66 billion ($2.36 billion) for the week ending March 29, 2026, up from Dh5.82 billion in the shortened working week prior.
The sharp recovery indicates that the previous week’s moderated performance was a temporary calendar-driven lull rather than a structural cooling of investor appetite. The data reinforces a broader trend throughout 2026: a market heavily weighted toward primary off-plan sales and apartment-led volume.
Off-Plan Segment Drives Market Activity
The off-plan segment continues to serve as the market’s primary engine, generating Dh6.74 billion and accounting for 77.8% of total weekly value. Within this category, apartments remained the preferred asset class, contributing Dh5.46 billion, or 81% of off-plan value.
Villas followed with a more modest share of 11.3% (Dh763.2 million), while commercial assets represented 7.3% of the off-plan segment.
In contrast, the secondary or ready market recorded Dh1.92 billion in transactions. 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.
Cash Dominates Off-Plan, Mortgages Support Ready Market
The funding structure of the market remains split along traditional lines. The off-plan sector continues to be primarily cash-driven, with 97.9% of transactions conducted as direct sales. Mortgages accounted for a marginal 1.3% of off-plan activity, as buyers typically opt for developer-led payment plans over traditional bank financing for uncompleted projects.
The secondary market shows higher reliance on the banking sector, with mortgages accounting for 38.3% of transactions (Dh734.8 million). This distinction underscores the differing profiles: the primary market remains a magnet for global capital and investors seeking capital appreciation, while the ready market serves as the 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 Dh591.4 million in deals. This was bolstered by the week’s standout transaction: an off-plan apartment sale worth Dh356.2 million.
Other top-performing primary locations included Al Yelayiss 1 (Dh566.1 million) and Madinat Al Mataar (Dh555.4 million).
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 Dh34.1 million, while the top ready villa deal was recorded in Jumeirah Park for Dh11.5 million.
Market 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 of 2026.
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. The data suggests that investor confidence remains strong despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the region.
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