July continued the positive momentum we began to see in June, delivering a second consecutive month of growth and reinforcing the resilience of Dubai's residential property market. More importantly, however, the underlying story shifted.
While Off Plan remained the dominant force, July saw buyers increasingly returning to the Secondary market, signalling growing confidence across completed properties as well as new developments. Rather than being driven by discounting, the market continued to grow on the back of genuine buyer demand, with transaction volumes increasing while prices remained broadly stable
July 2026 at a Glance
Dubai recorded 13,116 residential transactions during July, an increase of 2.8% compared with June, with the total value of sales reaching AED 26.3 billion. This marks the second consecutive month of market growth following May's slowdown.
One of the most significant developments during July was the shift in where buyers were purchasing.
While Off Plan transactions remained strong at 9,431 sales, the Secondary market recorded a 15% increase month-on-month, reaching 3,685 completed property transactions. This suggests buyers are becoming increasingly comfortable purchasing ready homes once again, particularly where immediate occupation, rental income and mortgage finance are available.
Apartment sales continued to drive the market, accounting for almost 90% of all residential transactions, while villa and townhouse activity softened slightly following several months of strong performance.
What This Means for Buyers and Investors
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of July's performance is that higher transaction volumes were achieved without significant movement in pricing.
Apartment values remained virtually unchanged month-on-month, while villa prices also held broadly steady across the city. In other words, buyers are returning because they continue to see value, not because prices have fallen.
We're also seeing the market mature.
Rather than focusing solely on new launches, investors are increasingly evaluating the relative merits of both Off Plan and completed properties. Off Plan developments continue to offer attractive payment plans and lower entry points, while completed homes appeal to buyers seeking immediate rental returns, established communities and greater certainty.
This broader spread of activity is typically a positive sign of a healthy market.
Community Trends
The data also reinforces that Dubai is not one uniform property market.
Off Plan activity remained heavily concentrated within emerging growth corridors, particularly Dubai South, which alone accounted for over 2,200 transactions during July. Other areas attracting significant buyer interest included Downtown Jebel Ali, Dubai Residence Complex and Jumeirah Village Circle.
Meanwhile, the Secondary market continued to be led by established communities such as:
- Jumeirah Village Circle
- Dubai Marina
- Business Bay
- Downtown Dubai
- Dubai Hills Estate
These locations continue to attract buyers looking for completed properties with proven rental demand and established infrastructure.
Our Perspective
July reinforces something we've been saying for several months now: Dubai's property market is not slowing - it's becoming more balanced.
The recovery that began in June has continued, but the market is no longer being driven solely by Off Plan launches. Buyers are returning to completed properties, pricing remains disciplined, and investors are taking a more considered, long-term approach to their decisions.
For buyers, this creates greater choice across both Off Plan and ready properties. For sellers, particularly those with well-presented and realistically priced homes, July provides encouraging evidence that demand within the Secondary market continues to strengthen.
At Exclusive Links, our role is to help clients look beyond the headline numbers and understand what these trends mean for their individual circumstances. Whether you're buying, selling or investing, informed decisions are always built on context rather than statistics alone.
Download the Full July 2026 Report
This article provides just a snapshot of July's residential property market.
Download the Full July 2026 Market Report to access detailed analysis covering transaction volumes, community performance, price movements, Off Plan and Secondary market trends, and what they could mean for your next property decision.
👉 Download Full July Report
Source: Dubai Land Department & Property Monitor – Exclusive Links July 2026 Month in Review.
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