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Dubai luxury home market thrives, defying regional jitters
Developer sales in Dubai’s luxury residential segment reached Dh10.92 billion in March alone, with transaction volumes rising 42 per cent year-on-year
- PUBLISHED: Thu 26 Mar 2026, 7:38 PM
Dubai’s luxury property market is continuing to attract deep-pocketed global investors despite heightened regional tensions, underlining the emirate’s status as one of the world’s most resilient prime real estate destinations and reinforcing confidence in its long-term growth story.
Developer sales in Dubai’s luxury residential segment reached Dh10.92 billion in March alone, with transaction volumes rising 42 per cent year-on-year to about 900 deals even with one week of the month remaining, according to a market analysis by the Keturah luxury brand based on data from DXBinteract.
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The performance is particularly notable given that property activity typically softens during Ramadan and amid geopolitical uncertainty — factors that have historically tempered investor appetite in global markets.
Within the Dh20 million to Dh50 million segment, the market recorded 79 transactions worth Dh2.36 billion during the first 24 days of March, including six off-plan villas priced between Dh43 million and Dh50 million. Another 16 deals in the Dh50 million to Dh100 million bracket generated Dh1.04 billion in sales, led by nine off-plan apartments priced between Dh51 million and Dh92 million.
Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO of Keturah, said sustained demand at the top end of the market reflects the strategic nature of buyers entering Dubai’s prime residential segment.
“In the circumstances, these figures represent a powerful signal of confidence in Dubai’s premium real estate offering,” he said, noting that high-net-worth investors remain focused on long-term value rather than short-term volatility.
One standout transaction during the month included a Dh422 million luxury apartment on Jumeirah Peninsula, while four plots in Umm Suqeim First fetched between Dh125 million and Dh152 million — underscoring continued appetite for trophy assets.
Activity remained strongest in the Dh5 million to Dh10 million bracket, which recorded 650 deals worth Dh4.54 billion, highlighting the breadth of demand across Dubai’s upper-tier housing market.
Industry analysts say the emirate’s luxury segment is increasingly supported by structural fundamentals rather than speculative inflows — a shift that has strengthened its resilience during periods of geopolitical stress.
According to Knight Frank, Dubai ranked among the world’s top-performing prime residential markets in 2025, with ultra-prime home sales above $10 million rising sharply as global wealth migrated toward safe, tax-efficient jurisdictions.
Similarly, Betterhomes reported a 60 per cent surge in ultra-premium transactions during the first half of 2025 alone, signalling sustained momentum heading into 2026 despite regional uncertainty.
Prime locations such as Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Business Bay continue to attract international investors seeking lifestyle security, residency advantages and capital preservation opportunities.
Still, the market is showing signs of a more measured phase after last year’s record-breaking surge. Some luxury sellers have adjusted asking prices by up to 20 per cent in select villa communities, reflecting a temporary “wait-and-watch” sentiment among discretionary buyers.
Analysts at CBRE say such recalibration is typical after periods of rapid price appreciation and does not indicate structural weakness.
“Dubai’s prime residential market continues to benefit from strong population growth, investor-friendly regulation and sustained global wealth inflows,” CBRE noted in a recent update on the emirate’s housing outlook. Developers, including Emaar Properties, have responded to shifting sentiment by offering flexible payment plans and incentives to maintain transaction momentum, further supporting market liquidity.
Long-term demand drivers remain firmly intact. Dubai’s absence of capital gains tax, expanding golden visa programmes, and continued inflow of entrepreneurs and family offices are reinforcing its appeal as a global wealth hub. These structural advantages are increasingly positioning the city as a safe harbour for capital during periods of global uncertainty.
Al Gaddah said newer master-planned communities such as the Dh5.7 billion Keturah Reserve development in Mohammed Bin Rashid City are designed specifically to preserve value through wellness-focused planning and limited supply strategies.
“When you study the data, you see a continued flow of capital into high-value off-plan properties,” he said. “This reflects a buyer profile that is selective, strategic and long-term in outlook.”
Market watchers said with global investors continuing to prioritise stability, lifestyle quality and tax efficiency, Dubai’s luxury residential market appears well placed to maintain its upward trajectory even as regional tensions persist — reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s most dependable prime property destinations.
