Economic diversification, record liquidity and a surge in large-scale development projects have positioned the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to outpace other regions in property market growth during the first half of 2026. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait stand out as primary engines of this expansion, supported by policy reforms, inbound capital and a rebound in tourism and corporate activity.
Moody’s recent analysis signals a shift in the UAE property cycle: after years of rapid expansion in prices and activity, a substantial wave of new supply is poised to cool markets across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The rating agency highlights rising inventory, changing demand patterns and potential stress on developer cash flows as key reasons for a more subdued outlook in the near term.
The latest CBRE analysis shows that the UAE's real estate market is maintaining momentum despite a softer oil sector, driven by diversified economic activity, structural reforms and sustained investor interest. This article explores the main takeaways from CBRE's findings and what they mean for different property segments across the Emirates.
Dubai's real estate market kicked off 2026 with a dramatic rise in transactions, reaching a total value of $19.7 billion in the opening months, while off-plan sales exploded by 128% year-on-year. This sudden acceleration has reshaped investor sentiment, altered developer strategies and sent ripples through the rental and secondary markets.
The UAE property market in 2026 is a study in contrasts: pockets of brisk price growth sit alongside neighborhoods where values have plateaued or corrected. This article maps the terrain city by city and sector by sector, identifying where demand, policy and infrastructure are driving appreciation, and where oversupply, affordability limits or shifting investor appetite are capping gains.
Al Fahidi Historical District, nestled along the Dubai Creek, is a compact, walkable neighborhood where the city’s pearling and trading past is vividly present in narrow lanes, wind towers, and restored courtyard houses. As one of the emirate’s most carefully conserved quarters, it offers visitors an intimate glimpse of traditional Emirati life amid museums, art spaces, and cultural programs.
Choosing a home close to reputable international schools is a top priority for expatriate families and investors in the UAE. This guide highlights ten neighbourhoods and considerations across the Emirates where proximity to established and emerging international schools makes purchasing property attractive for quality-of-life, rental demand, and long-term capital growth.
The quality and reputation of schools in the UAE have become central to how families and investors choose neighborhoods, influencing both rental and purchase markets. From expatriate families seeking continuity in curriculum to local parents tracking inspection reports, education is a powerful lens through which residential demand and urban development patterns are being reshaped across emirates.
