Dubai property market trends: Sales Performance February 2026
- Narcis Marian
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The Dubai property market has sustained its record-breaking momentum through the second month of the 2026 fiscal year, signaling a transition into what analysts describe as a "mature, fundamentals-led expansion phase."
Following a historic January, the performance in February 2026 reinforces Dubai's position as a global leader in capital deployment and investor confidence.
February 2026 Sales Performance
In February 2026, Dubai recorded a total sales volume of 17,009 transactions, representing a 5.65% year-on-year increase compared to the 16,099 deals closed in February 2025.
the total sales value reached AED 60.74 Bil, a substantial 20.68% surge from the AED 50.33 Bil recorded during the same period last year.
This continued growth in value, outstripping the growth in volume, highlights a sustained upward trend in price-per-square-foot benchmarks and a greater concentration of capital in premium and ultra-luxury segments.
Market Segmentation: Off-Plan Dominance vs. Ready Asset Rotation
The structural split of the market in February 2026 continues to favor the primary off-plan properties in Dubai.
Recorded 11,340 transactions with a total value of AED 42.13 Bil. This segment remains the primary engine of growth, driven by attractive developer payment plans to buy property in Dubai and a massive influx of new supply in emerging master-planned communities.
Accounted for 5,669 transactions (based on internal volume records) with a total value of AED 18.63 Bil. The secondary market is increasingly anchored by end-users and institutional investors seeking completed, income-generating properties for high ROI on Dubai real estate 2026.
Check out our research article on key considerations for buying off-plan vs ready properties in Dubai.
The distribution of activity in February 2026 highlights both established community hubs and rapidly expanding new districts. Al Yelayiss 1 was the top-performing area by sales value, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) was the volume leader with 1,146 transactions while Business Bay maintained its status as a high-value core district.
Property transactions volume by asset class* in February:
Apartments for sale in Dubai accounted 13.4% YoY increase
Luxury villas for sale in Dubai or Townhouses saw -29.3% YoY
Commercial real estate properties saw a robust 81.5% YoY
Land plots for sale in Dubai saw 25.3% YoY volume increase
Market Trends and Insights
Real Estate Tokenization project from Dubai Land Department (DLD) launched it's Phase II. This allows for the resale of "tokenized" property shares in a controlled secondary market, lowering entry barriers for fractional ownership.
Branded Residences: There is a surging demand for branded living (e.g., Binghatti Mercedes-Benz City), as international buyers prioritize the trust, global recognition, and high-quality amenities associated with these assets.
Supply Discipline: While a record number of units are forecast for delivery in 2026, the current rate of population growth—exceeding 17,000 new residents per month—continues to act as a structural buffer, preventing oversupply risks.
Dubai offers a blend of benefits, for foreign investors looking to enter the property market, such as:
Zero personal income tax or capital gains tax, or withholding tax
lowest corporate income tax rate of 9%
100% foreign business ownership
100% repatriation of capital investment and total profit earned
10-year investor Golden Visa
Investor-friendly policies providing foreign investment protection
One of the world’s top tourist centers
Latest news and initiatives
During the event’s main session, Majed Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at Dubai Land Department, affirmed that Dubai’s hosting of the first regional conference fully dedicated to real estate technology reflects the emirate’s forward-looking vision under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to solidify Dubai’s position as a global hub for innovation in the real estate sector.
Aldar and Dubai Holding have expanded their landmark joint venture, adding two strategic land plots in Dubai that will deliver almost 14,000 new homes. The first plot, located opposite Nad Al Sheba, will be a family-oriented community featuring apartments, townhouses, and luxury villas for sale in Dubai with approximately 4 Mil SqM of land. The second plot, located on Palm Jebel Ali, will serve as an ultra-luxury waterfront development featuring branded and non-branded residences covering almost 250,000 sqm of (GFA)
Dubai Land Department (DLD) has announced the launch of Phase II of the Real Estate Tokenisation Project Phase II focuses on activating resale activity in the secondary market by enabling the resale of approximately 7.8 million real estate tokens, within a controlled pilot framework aimed at assessing market efficiency
A total of 18,486 new members from India joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, during the year, representing year-over-year (YoY) growth of 11 %
According to data issued by Dubai Land Department, registered tenancy contracts recorded a 6% increase in volume and a 17% increase in value compared to 2024, reaching 1.38 Mil contracts with a total value of AED126.4 Bil, an indicator of the market’s vitality and the continued momentum of residential and commercial activity.
2025 witnessed notable progress in the pace of real estate project completion, with the number of completed projects rising to 124, marking a 7% increase and a total value of AED27.5 billion, reflecting a 23% increase.
In 2025, a total of 14,364 real estate licenses were issued across a wide range of activities:
real estate sales and purchase brokerage, with 6,009 licenses
real estate leasing brokerage with 3,513 licenses
2,126 licenses for transaction follow-up services
714 licenses for buying and selling land and properties
525 licenses for real estate development
CapitaLand Investment opens office at Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has welcomed CapitaLand Investment (CLI), a leading global real asset manager, as it expands into the Gulf’s fast-growing investment market with the establishment of its new office in DIFC.
Conclusion
The February 2026 data confirms that the Dubai real estate market is operating with increasing selectivity and depth.
With AED132.93 Bil in total sales value transacted in just the first two months of the year, the market is well on its way to surpassing previous annual records. Investors are moving toward "structured portfolios" and "medium-to-long-term holding strategies," reflecting a mature market that rewards quality, infrastructure, and realistic pricing over speculative gains.
Source: Dubai Land Department; DXB Interact, Dubai Media Office
