Dubai developers confirmed on May 12, 2026, that the emirate’s property market remains on solid footing despite recent geopolitical tensions, with buyer confidence gradually returning and major projects progressing as scheduled.
Transaction value typically outperforms April by 10 to 30 percent, with residential contributing over 80 per cent of the total market value, according to Property Finder.
Cherif Sleiman, chief revenue officer of Property Finder, noted that Dubai’s property market in May will “be building from a softer starting point than the summers of 2023 or 2024, given where March landed.”
June typically pulls back 8 to 12 per cent below May, July recovers, and August through September builds gradually. That pattern has held consistently since 2021, the real estate platform noted.
High-Value Transactions Return
“At Springfield Properties, we observed a sharp slowdown in transaction volumes through March, driven by sudden uncertainty. However, from early April — particularly post-ceasefire — we have seen a decisive pickup in activity,” Farooq Syed, CEO of Springfield Properties, said.
He confirmed that from mid-April onwards, right after the proposed ceasefire deal between Iran and the US, the development has seen a resurgence in high-value activity, with transactions exceeding Dh10 million.
After the temporary resurgence of attacks on the UAE, Syed said that the underlying fundamentals which support the real estate sector remained intact, though naturally, buyers were cautious.
The surge in ultra-luxury transactions aligns with broader market trends. Dubai recorded over Dh180 billion in Q1 2026, with ultra-luxury deals valued above Dh10 million surging 62.6% year-on-year to 2,148 transactions.
Construction Progress Continues
Dugasta Properties, a real estate developer in Dubai, is among many developers carrying on with project deliveries, including its upcoming Al Haseen Residence 6 project.
The development’s construction progress, project delivery, and developer pipelines continue to move forward “with confidence across the market,” according to Tauseef Khan, Founder and Chairman at Dugasta Properties.
“The recent regional developments and heightened security concerns have naturally captured global attention and prompted a more cautious sentiment across international markets. Buyers and investors usually take more time to calculate their next steps in times of unpredictability, which lead to a more measured pace of activity in the short term.”
Khan told Khaleej Times that Dubai’s property market continues to outperform expectations, with particularly strong momentum around ready-to-move-in homes and income-generating assets.
Dubai-based Grovy Developers confirmed last month that its residential project, RIVO by Grovy, was progressing on schedule. The 133-unit residential landmark is situated in Dubai Land Residential Complex, with studios starting at Dh690,000. The developer confirmed the project is ready to advance into the next construction phase in line with its Q4 2027 handover commitment.
Market Outlook
Looking ahead, Syed expects this renewed momentum to translate into higher conversion levels through May, especially as previously cautious buyers continue to re-engage.
“Dubai has consistently demonstrated its ability to rebound quickly once uncertainty subsides, and the pace of recovery we are seeing suggests this cycle will follow a similar trajectory — with momentum building rather than resetting.”
The market’s resilience is further supported by structural reforms. Dubai eliminated the Dh750,000 minimum property value for residency visas on April 30, 2026, opening the market to a broader pool of investors and first-time buyers.
Meanwhile, the $9 billion Gold Line Metro expansion and sustained off-plan demand continue to support market stability, with off-plan properties reaching 76% of all April transactions.
