Dubai’s property market could move towards greater balance in 2027 as more housing supply enters the market, according to Emaar Properties founder Mohamed Alabbar. Speaking at the AIM Congress, Alabbar said additional inventory could help balance the market following several years of strong growth, while separately forecasting a potential 5–10% price adjustment amid the current regional situation. Despite softer sales volumes, Emaar is continuing to invest and develop across Dubai, with close to 50,000 homes currently under construction in the UAE.
Original article: Dubai property market to find ‘nice balance’ as 2027 supply wave hits, says Emaar’s Alabbar by Gulf News.
Key Insights:
More Supply Could Bring Greater Balance in 2027
A significant increase in housing supply is expected to become an important factor for Dubai’s property market in 2027.
After several years of strong price growth, Alabbar expects additional inventory to create a more balanced environment. He also highlighted the importance of keeping housing affordable for both buyers and renters as Dubai continues to grow.
Against the backdrop of current regional uncertainty, Alabbar forecast a potential 5–10% adjustment in property prices. He also acknowledged that real estate sales volumes have softened, placing this in the context of several years of particularly strong growth.
As additional inventory reaches the market, buyers could benefit from greater choice, while increased competition between developments may place more emphasis on pricing, location and project quality.
Developers Take Different Approaches as Competition Increases
Alabbar said some developers are currently offering discounts ranging from 20% to 50%, while Emaar continues to maintain a no-discount policy.
He attributed Emaar’s approach to its focus on product quality, cash flow and financial strength. With more properties expected to enter the market, differences between developers and individual projects could become increasingly important for buyers assessing their options.
Emaar is continuing construction on close to 50,000 homes in the UAE and is also moving ahead with further investment in Dubai, including what Alabbar described as the company’s biggest project.
Emaar Reports Resilient Customer Activity
Emaar’s customer data also provides some insight into how its buyers have responded to recent regional uncertainty.
Before the conflict, the developer was recording around 700 cancellations per month while selling approximately 2,500 homes. Cancellations subsequently increased to around 1,100 per month before falling to approximately 550 following the ceasefire.
Alabbar also said customer payments had remained resilient throughout the period. While these figures relate specifically to Emaar rather than Dubai’s property market as a whole, they indicate continued payment activity among the developer’s existing customer base.
What to Watch as Dubai Approaches 2027
The arrival of additional housing supply could change the dynamics of Dubai’s property market following several years of rapid growth. More inventory may give buyers greater choice and increase competition between developments, while helping to bring greater balance to the market.
The scale and location of new supply, how quickly it is absorbed and how individual developers respond will therefore be important to watch. In a market with more choice, differences between locations, developers, pricing and individual projects could become increasingly significant for buyers and investors.
Alabbar’s outlook points towards a more balanced phase for Dubai property in 2027, with supply, affordability and project quality likely to play a greater role in shaping buyer decisions.
