Apartment prices in Ras Al Khaimah rose 6.5 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2026, with villa prices up nearly 6 per cent over the same period, according to research published by real estate advisory firm Cavendish Maxwell. Rents followed a similar trajectory, with apartments commanding 7 per cent more annually and villas 8 per cent more compared to H1 2025.
The annual gains, however, mask a more cautious near-term picture. Both sales prices and rental rates slipped over the most recent quarter, with apartment prices down 0.7 per cent and villa prices 0.2 per cent in the past three months. Apartment rents fell 1.4 per cent over the same period, though villa rents edged up nearly 1 per cent.
Freehold ready residential transaction values reached AED625.2 million in H1, up 24 per cent on H2 2025 but down 3.3 per cent year-on-year. The annual decline was concentrated in the villa segment, where transaction values fell more than 7 per cent to just under AED298 million. Apartment sales were broadly flat, rising 0.7 per cent to nearly AED328 million. Q2 alone accounted for almost AED354 million of that total, up nearly a third on Q1.
Around 600 new residential units were delivered in the emirate in H1, with a further 1,600 expected before year-end. The longer-term supply pipeline is more substantial: 13,800 homes are due between now and the end of 2028, comprising 4,700 units in 2027 and 7,500 in 2028.
“Ras Al Khaimah’s underlying economic environment remains supportive, with continued investment flows, business formation and employment growth providing a foundation for residential real estate demand. However, regional uncertainty has led to more caution among buyers and tenants, in turn contributing to a softer near-term price and rental performance. With 13,800 new homes in the pipeline between now and the end of 2028, upcoming supply is an important factor for the market. Increased supply means greater competition between developments, which could result in more measured price and rental growth. The opening of Wynn Al Marjan Island – currently anticipated for Autumn 2027 – will be a key medium-term demand catalyst, potentially supporting tourism inflows, stimulating employment and creating additional housing demand, particularly in communities close to Al Marjan Island,” Yousir Habib, Associate Director at Cavendish Maxwell Ras Al Khaimah said in a statement.
“Given their potential impact on buyer and tenant sentiment, regional geopolitical developments remain a key factor to monitor in H2. However, RAK’s economy has, so far, remained relatively resilient, with continued investment, business formation and employment growth in the last 6 months. H2 performance data should provide a clearer picture on whether the price and rent moderation is temporary or marks a broader shift in market conditions,” he added.
