Ajman Posts AED2.07B in January 2026 Property Sales; Helio 2 & Emirates City Lead
The Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation in Ajman logged AED 2.07 billion in property deals in January 2026, a result that cements the emirate’s reputation as the northern coast’s value play and signals another year of price competition with Sharjah and Dubai’s outskirts.
Why This Matters
• 31.8% year-on-year jump in dirham volume means higher valuations for owners—and steeper entry costs for first-time buyers.
• Mortgage activity up to AED 484 million indicates banks remain bullish, keeping financing windows open for residents and small landlords.
• Al Helio 2 and Emirates City now set the benchmark for rapid resale liquidity, a crucial metric for investors seeking quick exits.
Market Snapshot
January closed with 1,520 transactions spread across residential flats, villas, land plots and off-plan units. Trading operations—straight sales without leverage—accounted for AED 1.39 billion, while 174 mortgages filled the gap for buyers preferring leverage. The single most expensive transfer, a parcel in Al Helio 2, fetched AED 34 million.
Where the Action Was
Al Helio 2: Most traded district and home to the month’s record individual sale.
Emirates City: Top-performing master-planned community for overall deal count; studios continue to change hands below AED 300,000, luring yield-hunters.
Liwara 1: Captured the highest mortgage value at AED 123.5 million, a sign of deep-pocketed end-users rather than flippers.
Al Zahra: Registered the costliest ticket within an off-plan scheme at AED 15 million, reflecting a tilt toward boutique developments.
How January Stacks Up
• Versus January 2025: transaction count rose 15% and cash volume 32%.• Versus December 2025: deal count softened 6%, and total value slid 26%.
Forces Behind the Surge
• Affordability moat: Average apartment prices still hover around AED 520 per sq ft, roughly one-third below comparable stock in Dubai’s new suburbs.• Pro-investment rules: Freehold zones for foreigners and 100% repatriation of rental income continue to woo Gulf and South Asian buyers.• Infrastructure uplift: Ongoing expansion of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road interchange has cut commute time to Downtown Dubai to under 40 minutes during off-peak periods, broadening the tenant pool.
What This Means for Residents
• Owners in hot neighbourhoods can realistically ask for 5.5%–8% gross rental yields, often enough to outpace mortgage rates and service charges.• Tenants should brace for moderate rent hikes—consultancies project 3%–5% increases in 2026, still below Sharjah’s average rise.• First-time buyers have a shrinking window to lock in sub-AED 500,000 studio prices; lenders currently require 20% down payment plus registration fees (about 2% of price).• Small business investors eyeing staff accommodation can leverage bulk-buy discounts in Emirates City, where entire floors are being packaged at under AED 450 per sq ft.
Outlook for 2026
Most brokerages covering the northern emirates see Ajman’s capital growth moderating to 4%–6% this year—healthy but no longer break-neck. Supply pipelines in Al Zorah and Masfout could cool prices if construction timetables hold. Yet the consensus is clear: Ajman’s combination of low entry thresholds, improving transport links, and stable regulatory environment will keep it on the radar of cost-conscious investors long after the January fireworks fade.