16/04/2026
Dubai Property Market Q1 2026: A Market Slowing
According to DLD data, Q1 2026 shows clear signs of cooling across Dubai’s property market.
Total transaction value reached AED 172 billion, up 24% year on year, but down 6% compared to Q4 2025. Transaction volumes fell 18% quarter on quarter.
That contrast matters. The annual comparison looks strong. The short-term trajectory does not.
Key figures from Q1 2026:
• Total transaction volume down 18% quarter on quarter
• Overall transaction value down 6% vs Q4 2025
• Average prices up 14% quarter on quarter and 19% year on year
• Apartment volume down up to 25%
• Apartment transaction value down up to 22%
• Apartment price growth limited to around 3%
• Villas and townhouses prices up 43% year on year
• Villas and townhouses transaction value up 23%
• Villas and townhouses volume up 19%
• Off-plan volume down 22%
• Off-plan value down 15%, despite still representing 67% of all transactions
• Rental volume down 15% quarter on quarter
• New rental contracts down 19%
• Total rental value down 25% in some datasets
• Rental listings up 24%
What is emerging is a more selective market.
Luxury and high-value transactions continue to support pricing, while mid-market liquidity has softened. Apartments are under clearer pressure, while villas and townhouses remain the strongest performing asset class.
The data does not point to a market in decline, but it does point to one losing momentum.
For investors and end users, strategy now matters more than timing.
Read the full breakdown: https://www.air-dxb.com/insights/dubai-property-market-slows-q1-2026
Explore in-depth insights on Dubai’s property market slowed in Q1 2026, with falling volumes and weaker apartment demand. Prices held due to high value deals, but sentiment has turned cautious across buyers and tenants., brought to you by AirDXB. Stay informed with expert analysis, market trends, ...