Dubai’s property market continues to inspire long-term investor confidence despite heightened regional tensions, according to Morgan’s International Realty
60% expect prices to rise over the next three years, even as regional uncertainty reshapes near term sentiment
Morgan’s International Realty has released its Dubai Property Investor Confidence Report 2026, a private sentiment study capturing how active Dubai investors are thinking, positioning capital, and viewing the market’s long term trajectory. The study was conducted between April and May 2026, a period of heightened regional tensions that prompted investors across the city to reassess risk, liquidity, and capital allocation.
The study captures the perspectives of 94 investors within Morgan’s International Realty’s network, including investors, owner occupiers, family o ices, and institutional style participants with Dubai property portfolios ranging from 5 million to more than 100 million. Collectively, respondents represent more than 3 billion in Dubai real estate holdings across multiple market segments.
The findings point to a market entering a more disciplined and sophisticated phase. Short term sentiment has become more measured, while long term confidence in Dubai’s position as a global real estate destination remains firmly intact.
Short Term Caution, Long Term Confidence
Over the next 12 months, investor sentiment is measured rather than euphoric:
• 46% expect prices to stabilize
• 36% expect prices to decline
• 18% expect prices to increase
Over a three year horizon, sentiment shifts decisively:
• 60% expect prices to increase
• 31% expect prices to stabilize
• 9% expect prices to decline
Investors appear more cautious about timing than about Dubai’s long term position.
Cash Becomes a Strategic Asset
Liquidity has moved from a defensive posture to a strategic one. 51% of investors named cash and liquidity as their preferred asset class during uncertain periods, ahead of global real estate at 27%, commodities at 13%, and equities at 9%. The positioning suggests investors want the ability to move quickly on future opportunities rather than deploy capital immediately.
Safe Haven Status Holds, Under Closer Scrutiny
58% of investors continue to view Dubai positively as a safe haven for capital, while 29% remain neutral and 13% no longer view it that way. Geopolitical instability and regional conflict appeared repeatedly in open ended responses, signaling that regional stability has become a more visible part of investor decision making even as confidence in Dubai’s fundamentals holds.
The Wealthier the Investor, the Calmer the Outlook
Sentiment strengthens with portfolio size. Among respondents with holdings above 100 million, all expect prices to stabilize over the next 12 months, and 75% expect prices to rise over three years, compared with 63% among 20 million to 100 million holders and 54% among 5 million to 20 million holders. Larger investors are also the least likely to sell: 0% of the 100 million+ segment plan to dispose of assets in the next 12 months, against 23% and 40% for smaller tiers respectively.
Hold, Not Exit, Defines Investor Strategy
49% of investors plan to hold existing assets over the next 12 months, 31% plan to sell selected assets, and 20% plan to acquire additional property. The data points to selective portfolio management rather than a broad market exit.
Rising Expectations Beyond Returns
Investment returns remain the most important factor for investors, but design and architecture, brand and developer reputation, service quality, and privacy are becoming increasingly relevant, particularly in the prime and super prime segments. Open ended responses raised recurring themes around regional stability, market oversupply, broker transparency, delivery and execution standards, infrastructure, and the need for more investor friendly financing and hedging tools.