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7 in 10 UAE residents plan to buy property this year: Are you one of them?
Data suggests that while buyers remain price-conscious, many are still prepared to proceed with purchases rather than delay decisions
- PUBLISHED: Tue 20 Jan 2026, 11:41 AM
- By:
- Sahim Salim
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Seven in 10 UAE residents say they plan to buy property within the next six months, according to a new consumer survey. The findings are based on Property Finder’s bi-monthly Market Pulse survey conducted in November and December, which gathered responses from 5,540 participants.
While appetite for purchasing property remains high, buyers expect only moderate changes in prices. In November, 40 per cent of respondents expected prices to decline, 32 per cent anticipated an increase and 28 per cent expected prices to remain stable. In December, expectations of a price drop eased slightly to 39 per cent, while the proportion expecting price increases remained unchanged at 32 per cent. Those anticipating stable prices rose marginally to 29 per cent.
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The figures mark a modest shift in sentiment compared with the September–October period, when between 39 and 40 per cent of respondents expected prices to fall and 31 to 33 per cent anticipated increases. The results suggest that while buyers remain price-conscious, many are still prepared to proceed with purchases rather than delay decisions.
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As Khaleej Times reported, a growing number of young professionals aged 25 to 35 are entering the UAE property market, driven by rising rents, mortgage payments that increasingly match leasing costs and clearer long-term residency pathways such as the Golden Visa. Industry experts have said many younger buyers now view ownership as a financially practical alternative to renting, as well as a way to build long-term security and flexibility.
However, real estate experts have cautioned against underestimating the upfront cash required to purchase property, with around 25 to 30 per cent of a home’s value typically needed to cover down payments and transaction-related fees that cannot be financed through a mortgage. While easing interest rates and longer loan tenures have improved affordability over time, the initial outlay remains a key challenge. Developers have responded by offering more flexible payment structures, including reduced booking amounts, post-handover payment plans and, in some cases, rent-to-own options aimed at easing the transition from renting to owning.
At the same time, banks have introduced tools designed to give buyers greater clarity before entering the market. Mashreq recently launched a fully digital home-loan pre-approval service allowing salaried residents earning at least Dh15,000 a month to assess their borrowing eligibility online. The same-day approval in principle is based on income, existing liabilities and credit history, helping buyers understand a realistic budget range before committing to a purchase, although final approval remains subject to property valuation and additional checks.
As Associate Editor, Sahim Salim helps tell the UAE story like no one else does — and leads a team of reporters that asks the questions to get news and headlines that matter.
