Dubai’s off-plan property market continues to draw unprecedented levels of international investor interest, with 84 percent of global investors now rating the emirate as a more attractive destination for off-plan investment than rival global markets, according to a study by Smart Bricks released on July 26, 2026.
The survey, which polled more than 8,500 international off-plan investors from Europe, South Asia, the GCC, Africa, the Americas and East Asia, found that over half of respondents said Dubai was “significantly” more attractive than other global property markets, while a further 32 percent viewed it as “somewhat” more attractive.
The findings come as Dubai recorded 87,800 real estate transactions worth Dh291.7 billion in the first half of 2026, with off-plan properties accounting for 71 percent of all deals. Approximately 121,000 new residents moved to the emirate during the first six months of the year, reinforcing housing demand and supporting long-term growth prospects.
Capital appreciation remains the primary attraction for investors. The survey found that 61 percent cited the potential for capital growth as the main reason for investing in Dubai’s off-plan market, followed by developer payment plans at 54 percent, the city’s tax environment at 47 percent, population and economic growth at 42 percent, and strong rental demand at 36 percent.
Dubai’s average property prices rose 9 percent during the first half of 2026, while luxury demand remained robust, with the city recording 296 home sales above $10 million worth a combined $5.1 billion. Transaction volumes in this ultra-prime segment climbed 16 percent year-on-year, while sales values increased 14 percent.
“Global confidence in Dubai has never been higher, and much of it is well founded – but enthusiasm is not a strategy. The returns that make the strategy worthwhile are concentrated among investors who choose the right segment, buy in the right community, and above all sell at the right moment,” said Mohamed Mohamed, Co-Founder and CEO of Smart Bricks.
The growth in off-plan activity is being supported by a substantial development pipeline. Dubai has more than 31,000 branded residence units scheduled for delivery by 2030, representing around 8 percent of total future housing supply. The emirate already leads the world in branded residences, with 64 completed developments and another 87 projects in the pipeline. Branded properties command an average 64 percent premium over non-branded homes, according to the analysis.
A separate Smart Bricks report analyzing more than 70,000 off-plan units bought directly from developers and resold before handover between 2009 and 2026 found that the median flip generated a gross gain of 9.1 percent after a typical holding period of 19 months. Once transaction costs of about 5 percent are factored in, net returns fall to roughly 4.1 percent.
The study highlighted how timing can significantly affect returns. Off-plan properties sold more than 18 months before handover produced median gains of 5.3 percent, while properties sold at or after handover achieved median gains of 18.7 percent. Villas showed a different pattern, with returns peaking at 27.5 percent in the final three months before completion before dropping sharply after handover.
Location emerged as a critical factor. Tilal Al Ghaf recorded median gains of 24 percent, followed by La Mer and City Walk at 22 percent each, while Dubai Marina and Sobha Hartland delivered median gains of only 5 percent and 2 percent, respectively. The strongest returns were often generated in master-planned lifestyle communities rather than in the city’s most established residential districts.
“Off-plan property buyers commit before they can experience the finished product, so confidence must be earned through architectural quality, functionality and delivery credibility. These qualities will define the next generation of luxury residences and reinforce Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most desirable places to live and invest,” said Michael Belton, CEO of MERED.
The combination of strong investor sentiment, record transaction volumes, growing population inflows and an expanding development pipeline suggests that Dubai’s off-plan market remains one of the world’s most active real estate segments. Yet the research also indicates that as the market matures, investors are becoming more selective, with successful returns increasingly dependent on asset choice, location and timing rather than broad market momentum alone.
