Dubai Records Second-Best H1 in History: AED 286 Billion in Property Sales

By Mariane Nunes · CEO & Founder, NAHY Real Estate

Dubai closed the first half of 2026 with AED 286.43 billion in property sales across 86,005 transactions — the second-best first-half performance in the emirate's history, surpassed only by the record set in H1 2025.

By NAHY Real Estate , Dubai — 100+ agents, AED 1B+ in closed sales  ·  28 July 2026

The Numbers Behind the Record

Dubai's real estate market delivered its second-strongest first half on record in 2026. Between January and June, the emirate registered AED 286.43 billion in property sales across 86,005 transactions — a performance that places H1 2026 just behind the all-time record of AED 326.6 billion set in H1 2025, according to official data from the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

The first quarter set the pace. Q1 2026 alone generated AED 252 billion across 60,303 transactions, a 31% year-on-year surge in value and a 6% rise in volume. January was the strongest single month, posting AED 72.4 billion. Q2 maintained momentum: AED 169 billion across 51,170 transactions, with June accelerating 31.3% in volume over May.

When mortgages and other procedures are included, total real estate activity in H1 2026 exceeded AED 419.94 billion — equivalent to approximately $114 billion.

Off-Plan Leads, Ready Market Holds Premium

Off-plan properties accounted for approximately 67% of all transactions by volume in H1 2026, representing AED 139.8 billion across 58,800 deals. The average off-plan transaction was AED 2.38 million.

Ready properties, while representing 33% of volume, generated AED 146.7 billion across 27,200 transactions — an average of AED 5.39 million per deal, reflecting the premium buyers pay for immediate occupancy and rental income. Average prices across the market rose approximately 9% year-on-year , driven by sustained demand and limited supply in premium locations.

Foreign investment remained a structural pillar of the market. In Q1 2026 alone, international buyers committed AED 148.35 billion across 48,445 transactions — a 26% increase in value year-on-year.

What This Means: The NAHY Reading

These numbers confirm what NAHY Real Estate has observed on the ground since our founding in Business Bay in 2025: Dubai's property market is not running on speculation. It is running on fundamentals — population growth, regulatory clarity, tax advantages, and a government with a track record of delivery.

NAHY was founded in 2025 in a 45 m² office in Business Bay. In under two years, we have expanded to a third office, grown to 100+ agents from 42+ nationalities , and closed over AED 1 billion in sales . That growth mirrors the market's own trajectory.

The H1 2026 data reinforces three convictions we share with our clients:

Entry timing matters less than staying power. Buyers who entered in 2023 or 2024 are now sitting on double-digit appreciation. The market rewards those who commit. Off-plan is not a risk — it is a strategy. With 67% of transactions off-plan and developers like Binghatti, Sobha, Imtiaz, Emaar, and DAMAC delivering on schedule, off-plan remains the highest-leverage entry point for international investors. Dubai is a global city, not a regional bet. AED 148 billion in foreign investment in a single quarter is not a local story. It is a signal that the world's capital is choosing Dubai.

For investors considering their first Dubai property, or for those looking to expand an existing portfolio, the H1 2026 data provides a clear context. The market is deep, liquid, and growing. The question is not whether to invest — it is where, and with whom.

Sources: Dubai Land Department (DLD) Official Open Data · Arabian Business · Zawya

NAHY Real Estate has been recognized with the Binghatti Broker Recognition Award 2026 and the Imtiaz Strategic Partner Recognition — two of the most prestigious developer awards in Dubai's real estate market. Learn more about NAHY →