Dubai’s residential real estate market has secured 66,900 sales between January and May 2026, with off-plan purchases accounting for around 74% of transactions, says leading real estate advisory and property consultancy, Cavendish Maxwell.
New data shows that Dubai’s residential property sector continued to soften in May, with sales activity easing across both the off-plan and ready sectors.
Around 9,500 transactions took place in May 2026, compared to 17,600 in May last year, according to Cavendish Maxwell’s research, with the May 2026 figure of 27% lower than April 2026. The decline was further compounded by the week-long Eid Al Adha break at the end of May, which led to an estimated 3,000 fewer sales.
“While off-plan sales remained relatively resilient during the first four months of 2026, May recorded a notable decline in both transaction volumes and values. The ready market has seen an even more pronounced slowdown, with year-on-year declines since March.
“This latest data suggests a more selective market environment, with buyers taking a measured approach amid regional and global uncertainty. While activity levels remain healthy by historical standards, the pace seen in recent months has continued to moderate.”
Ronan Arthur, Director, Head of Residential Valuation, Cavendish Maxwell
The total value of transactions in the first five months of 2026 was more than AED 196.2bn, down from AED 217.8bn in the same period last year. The value of purchases in May 2026 was AED 22bn, compared to AED 54.8bn in May 2025.
