Dubai Real Estate Records $4.19B Resale Transactions with Strong Investor Gains

Saturday, 18 April 2026

Dubai’s property market delivers impressive resale performance in March, with strong investor returns and rising rental activity across residential segments.

Key Highlights

Dubai’s real estate market recorded 3,308 resale transactions worth AED15.39 billion ($4.19 billion) in March, highlighting strong activity in the secondary market.
Long-term investors achieved a combined net gain of AED4.6 billion, reflecting the market’s ability to generate consistent returns.
According to fäm Properties, a significant 89.5% of resale transactions were profitable, with a median gain of 25%, reinforcing investor confidence.
Villas emerged as the top-performing asset class, with a 97% profitability rate and a median gain of 60%, showcasing strong demand for larger homes.
Plot transactions also delivered exceptional performance, achieving a median gain of 99%, highlighting opportunities in land investments.
In the resale segment, ready properties led the market with 2,444 transactions worth AED9.01 billion, followed by off-plan resales and plot sales.
Dubai’s rental market remained equally active, with 36,658 residential tenancy contracts valued at AED3.16 billion recorded during March.
Approximately two-thirds of these contracts were renewals, indicating strong resident retention and long-term commitment to living in Dubai.
Apartment rentals dominated the market with 33,500 contracts, while villas and townhouses also recorded steady activity.
Commercial leasing added further momentum, with 16,600 contracts worth AED1.24 billion, reflecting business expansion across the emirate.
Data from DXBinteract showed that average rents for new residential contracts increased by 7% year-on-year.
Villa rents recorded the highest growth, rising 15.9% annually, while apartment rents grew by 5%, highlighting strong demand across segments.
Renewal rents also showed positive movement, increasing by 4.9% overall, supporting stable and sustainable rental growth.
The combination of strong resale gains and rising rental demand underscores Dubai’s position as a preferred destination for both investors and residents.
Overall, the market continues to demonstrate resilience, strong returns, and long-term growth potential, reinforcing its global appeal in real estate investment.