The UAE’s booming real estate market continues to attract strong investor demand, with major developments in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah selling out within hours of launch.
Sharjah-based developer Arada reported the complete sell-out of 1,051 homes valued at AED 3.6 billion ($980 million) across the first two phases of its Masaar 3 forest community. The homes were snapped up within hours, following the sell-out of all 2,000 homes in Masaar 2 earlier this year, which sold in just three hours.
“For Masaar 3, we intentionally released only two phases at launch, resulting in demand far exceeding supply,” said Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada. “We are preparing additional inventory for release in October to meet market demand.”
Masaar 3, part of a master development comprising 4,000 villas and townhouses worth AED 12.5 billion, offers a wide range of amenities including a central lagoon with waterfalls, jogging and cycling tracks, padel and basketball courts, and a retail-focused community hub. In total, the three Masaar communities will deliver 9,000 homes valued at AED 28 billion.
In Abu Dhabi, leading developer Aldar achieved AED 1.8 billion in sales from 450 townhouses at Al Deem on Yas Island, exclusively for UAE nationals. Notably, 32% of buyers were women. The homes include three- and four-bedroom layouts, with 26 residences featuring mixed-use spaces suitable for cafes, art studios, and boutique businesses.
The project boasts an extensive list of amenities, including a mosque, schools, a health centre, community spaces, retail and dining outlets, sports courts, an equestrian centre, and an 8.2km cycle track.
The UAE’s property market remains robust, supported by government initiatives such as long-term residency permits for retirees and remote workers, the 10-year golden visa programme, and broader economic diversification efforts.
According to ValuStrat, Abu Dhabi villa prices rose 10.1% year-on-year in Q2 2025, while apartment prices increased by 5.9%. With just 7.1% of the projected 2025 housing pipeline delivered in the first half of the year, supply remains constrained. Approximately 33,000 new residential units are scheduled for delivery over the next five years.
Aldar’s pipeline continues to expand, with major projects such as the AED 40 billion Fahid Island development and the Waldorf Astoria Residences Yas Island, which generated AED 850 million in sales. Additional launches on Fahid Island, including Fahid Beach Residences and The Beach House, generated over AED 3.5 billion in sales.
Sharjah’s property market is also performing strongly, recording AED 27 billion in transactions in the first half of 2025, a 48.1% increase year-on-year, with 48,059 transactions completed. Investors from 109 countries participated, with Emiratis contributing AED 12.2 billion across 14,307 properties, representing 45.2% of the total value.
