W Capital Real Estate Broker said Dubai's first-half property sales exceeded AED286 billion, while newly launched projects topped AED275 billion, giving the UAE real estate market a capital-flow test that is larger than simple price momentum.

W Capital Real Estate Broker said, using Dubai Land Department figures, that the period was Dubai's second-highest first-half sales performance on record.

Officials and industry executives cited foreign capital, population growth and new supply as demand drivers for Dubai real estate.

The published figures also left execution questions unresolved: they did not break out project-level absorption, buyer concentration or delivery schedules for the new development pipeline.

Dubai First-Half Real Estate Sales Exceeded AED286 Billion

W Capital Real Estate Broker said Dubai real estate sales exceeded AED286 billion, or $77.9 billion, in the first half of the year, using Dubai Land Department data.

The firm said the total ranked behind the AED326.6 billion recorded in the first half of 2025.

The broader UAE apartment and villa market also posted a sharp increase.

Market data showed the combined value of apartment and villa sales rose 173.9 percent to more than AED84.4 billion.

Economy Middle East cited market data that put completed transactions at 16,585, a 103 percent increase from the comparable period a year earlier.

The market therefore carries both a capital-flow and delivery test.

The disclosed sales value sits alongside a large project pipeline: W Capital's analysis put newly launched Dubai real estate projects since the beginning of 2026 above AED275 billion, and described that as the largest half-year development pipeline in the emirate's history.

Consultants Pointed To Wealth Migration And Fiscal Buffers

CBRE cited the UAE's fiscal buffers and sovereign credit profile, and separately projected robust GDP growth by 2027.

Knight Frank identified Dubai's role in wealth migration and property investment, and placed the UAE among fast-growing destinations for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

Officials and industry experts described the market as moving into a more mature phase after several years of rapid expansion.

They cited stable regulation, macroeconomic strength and global investor confidence as factors behind the first-half performance.

Farhad Azizi, chief executive of Azizi Developments Group, said the UAE's economic stability, flexible regulation and long-term development strategy continue to support investor appeal.

His cited demand drivers included long-term residency programmes, Dubai's D33 infrastructure agenda, Dubai South and activity around Al Maktoum International Airport.

Developers Said Buyers Are Becoming More Selective

Industry executives described demand as being supported by genuine housing needs, foreign investment inflows and a growing share of self-financed buyers.

Azizi said future competition is likely to lean more heavily on execution, project quality and durable value than on rapid expansion alone.

Hussein Salem, chief executive of Ohana Development, said both emirates are still recording high transaction levels.

He linked that demand to foreign investment, diversification and infrastructure development, and said second-half demand should be strongest in planned residential communities, branded projects and waterfront developments.

Thomas Wan, founder and chief executive of Refine, said buyer decisions are narrowing around location, developer reputation, quality and living experience.

Syed Mahrooz, chief executive and chief financial officer of Albagh Group, linked sector strength to long-term policy direction, high-net-worth population inflows and infrastructure expansion.

The available figures did not name individual buyers, disclose project-level absorption rates, identify delivery schedules for the AED275 billion pipeline, or publish sales pace for specific new developments.