Not just Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is also witnessing a real estate boom in 2026, with off-plan sales set to increase by between 15 per cent and 20 per cent compared with 2025.
A market report by Metropolitan Premium Properties has forecast that the Ras Al Khaimah real estate market will see a price growth, thanks to strong buyer demand and short supply, particularly in prime coastal locations. Ras Al Khaimah’s growing appeal as a lifestyle and investment destination and continued investment in infrastructure, tourism, and hospitality will aid in this growth.
“Ras Al Khaimah is moving into a more balanced and sustainable phase of growth,” Maxim Novikov, head of the RAK branch at Metropolitan Premium Properties, was quoted by Arabian Business.
Novikov added that there is a healthy demand for off-plan properties, especially for branded and lifestyle-led developments. “Limited supply in prime areas is supporting prices across both new and ready properties, and we’re seeing increasing competition for high-quality assets in established communities,” he added,
Off-plan property refers to real estate purchased directly from a developer before it is constructed, or while still under development, based solely on blueprints and architectural plans.
Hot zones
Much of the off-plan activity in 2024 and 2025 was concentrated on coastal zones, mainly Al Marjan Island. The area witnessed much of its available inventory sell out, thereby shifting the demand to new and emerging coastal zones, including the Marjan area. The area is witnessing a boom following major hospitality developments such as the Hard Rock Hotel.
Other areas in demand include Raha Island within Mina, thanks to the plans for Armani-branded villas alongside the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences. This area is also witnessing the emergence of a number of boutique waterfront projects.
The report added that the flexible payment options are also supporting the sector, including lower upfront payments, extended instalment schedules and post-handover plans.
As for rent, the yields are expected to average around 7–8 per cent, especially for villas, townhouses and waterfront homes. The demand for ready properties will continue, thanks to Ras Al Khaimah’s expanding tourism sector and the rapid growth of short-term rentals.
With annual visitor numbers projected to approach five million, a significant share of residential units in key coastal communities is expected to be used for short-term rental purposes. “The combination of tourism growth, globally recognised hospitality brands and limited new beachfront supply is reshaping the market,” Novikov added. “In 2026, we expect both off-plan and secondary segments to perform well, but the real differentiators will be location, branding and long-term fundamentals rather than sheer volume of new launches.”
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