New Launch - India Real Estate Report 2026.
Dubai added 24,800 homes during the first half of 2026, marking the city's strongest half-year delivery period in several years, according to Cavendish Maxwell. Completions rose nearly 38% from the same period last year and 12% from the second half of 2025, as projects launched during the recent market expansion reached handover.
The supply increase has given buyers and tenants measurably more choice, with residential prices easing 2.6% from Q1 and rental rates declining 2.5% over the same period. Both, however, remain above year-ago levels, with prices up nearly 2% and rents up 7.8% annually.
Transactions Pull Back From Record Highs
Dubai recorded 79,300 residential transactions worth Dh221.4 billion in H1 2026. The volume comparison is stark:
- Transaction volumes: down nearly 14% year-on-year
- Transaction volumes: down 27% from the record H2 2025
- Sales values: down nearly 16% annually and 20% from H2 2025
Off-plan homes dominated, accounting for around 75% of all transactions, with developer sales making up more than 92% of that segment. Initial off-plan sales reached 54,700 transactions, a modest 1.5% decline from last year, while off-plan resales fell sharply by 51% to 4,600 deals.
Launch Activity Moderated Significantly
New launches slowed considerably compared to the prior year's pace:
- H1 2026 launches: 28,000 units across 124 projects
- H1 2025 launches: 102,000 units across 410 projects
Cavendish Maxwell attributed the slowdown to a natural correction after record 2024 and 2025 launch volumes, compounded by regional uncertainty that led some developers to delay projects in Q2.
Also Read: Jumeirah Golf Estates Villa Sells for Record Dh110 Million
Where the Pipeline Is Heading
Around 47,000 units are scheduled for completion in H2 2026, though Cavendish Maxwell expects actual handovers to land between 14,000 and 23,500 homes based on historical delivery rates.
Apartments will account for more than 82% of deliveries, with Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai South, Business Bay and Downtown Dubai among the leading locations. The longer-term pipeline is substantial:
- 2027: 162,500 units scheduled
- 2028: 128,200 units scheduled
Areas and Segments Leading Activity
Dubai South led off-plan apartment sales with 7,306 transactions, followed by Dubai Residence Complex with 3,408 and Jumeirah Village Circle with 3,055. Jumeirah Village Circle retained the top spot for ready apartment sales at 1,812 transactions, while DAMAC Islands 2 led villa and townhouse off-plan activity with 3,192 deals.
Gross rental yields averaged nearly 7% for apartments and 5% for villas and townhouses. Mortgage transactions rose 7.2% to 22,500, and sales of homes priced above Dh50 million climbed 13% to 160 transactions, suggesting the ultra-prime segment is holding firm even as the broader market resets.
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