Gulf News — Business/Property reports that experts describe Dubai as a balanced market, and in some pockets a buyer's market, with flexible payment plans and developer incentives on offer.
According to Gulf News — Business/Property, Dubai property experts say buyers are now in a stronger position to compare homes and communities and to negotiate terms. Gaurav Aidasani of Union Square House described the market as balanced and, in some pockets, a buyer's market, noting that buyers can now view more homes and make offers based on evidence rather than committing on the spot. Negotiating room varies by location and property type: it is greater where several newly completed apartment developments compete, while villas in established neighbourhoods keep drawing strong interest. ValuStrat reported that 80 per cent of the villa communities it tracks had stable values in September 2026. Dubai's population reached 4,807,185 in late September, up 226,885 since the start of the year, according to the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment. Experts quoted in the article say preparation matters. Jasko Miletić of Dubai Rapid Properties stressed the gap between asking prices and actual transaction values, and advised looking at recent comparable sales, how long a property has been listed and the seller's motivation. Both he and Aidasani pointed to financial readiness, such as cash or mortgage pre-approval, as a strong negotiating tool, as it offers sellers certainty and faster completion. Checking comparable transactions through Dubai Land Department records was also mentioned. On payment plans, Olga Shevkolovych of Primal Alliance Real Estate, citing Dubai Land Department reports, said 41.4 per cent of home sales in the third quarter of 2026 involved properties priced below Dh1 million. She said some developers offer plans with a 20 per cent down payment and the remaining 80 per cent due at handover, while other projects advertise instalment plans of seven to eight years with monthly payments from Dh6,799. For off-plan purchases, incentives may include contributions towards the four per cent Dubai Land Department registration fee, extended schedules or part-payment after handover. The article advises comparing the total price, financing costs and future obligations, and checking developers' delivery records and escrow arrangements. The article also notes the Dubai Land Department's First Time Home Buyer programme for UAE-based buyers. It covers eligible homes priced below Dh5 million and offers priority access to launches, preferential prices from participating developers and financing through participating banks. At the luxury end, Savills recorded 669 transactions involving homes priced above Dh10 million in the third quarter of 2026. This is a summary of the reported information, not individual advice.