In one line. Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar told the AIM Congress he expects a "nice balance" in Dubai's market in 2027 as supply arrives, with a possible 5% to 10% adjustment from regional tensions in the meantime (The National, 7 September 2026).
Best for. Investors deciding whether to buy now or wait, and anyone reading developer commentary for a usable signal.
What you will learn.
- What Alabbar actually said, and what he did not
- Why discounting varies so much between developers
- How to read a "balanced" market as a buyer
- What to do with a forecast you cannot verify
Bottom line. A balanced market favours buyers with patience and a plan. Take the outlook as context, not a timing signal, and let the specific deal decide.
What Alabbar Said
The forecast. Speaking at the AIM Congress in early September, Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar said he is "getting ready for 2027" and expects a balanced market as a wave of new supply lands (The National, 7 September 2026). He framed the current softness as an adjustment, not a crisis.
The caveat he added. Asked about the effect of regional tensions, Alabbar suggested a possible adjustment of 5% to 10% given what he called an extraordinary situation, while noting that if conditions settle the market "could become pretty fast" again (The National, 7 September 2026). That is a wide range, and he stated it as a possibility, not a prediction.
The context behind the confidence. Emaar said it has 90,000 units under production across 18 markets and has not slowed development, pointing to strong cash flow and low debt. In June the developer flagged a planned AED 200bn megaproject in Dubai designed to house nearly 150,000 people (The National, 7 September 2026). A developer building through the cycle reads it differently from one trying to clear stock.
The Discounting Divide
Two strategies, one market. "We sell good product. We don't give discounts," Alabbar said, citing cash flow and low debt (The National, 7 September 2026). Other developers, he noted, are cutting prices by as much as 20% to 50%. Both can be true at once, because balance sheets and inventory pressure differ sharply across the sector.
What it tells a buyer. A steep discount can be a real opportunity or a warning sign, depending on the developer's finances and the project's delivery record. The discount alone is not the signal. The developer's ability to finish the project on time is.
Do the homework. Before you chase a headline discount, check the developer's track record, the project's registration and escrow status, and how much competing supply is landing nearby. The YAZDAN Off-Plan Map shows current launches across Dubai and the UAE on one view so you can gauge that competing supply.
Reading a Balanced Market
- More choice, less urgency. With supply arriving, you can compare units instead of racing a queue. Use that time to negotiate.
- Quality separates from the rest. Developer commentary this year points to a market that rewards good locations and delivery over broad price growth.
- Yield matters more than momentum. When prices flatten, income does more of the work. Underwrite the rent, not the hoped-for appreciation.
- Keep dry powder. A balanced market can hand you a better entry next quarter. There is no prize for rushing.
The Bottom Line
Use it as context. A senior developer expecting balance rather than a boom is a reasonable base case for planning a hold period and a rent assumption. It is not a reason to delay a sound purchase or rush a shaky one.
The honest caveat. This is one executive's view, and the 5% to 10% figure is a stated possibility tied to an uncertain geopolitical situation, not a forecast you can bank on. Anchor your decision to the specific asset, its yield, and the developer's delivery record, then verify project details via DLD.
"A balanced market rewards the buyer who prepared for it. Read the outlook, then let the yield and the developer's delivery record make the call."
Buy now or wait for 2027?
We pressure-test the specific deal against a flat-price base case, so the decision rests on the asset rather than a forecast.
Book a 30-minute advisory call →Frequently Asked Questions
What did Alabbar predict for 2027?
He expects a "nice balance" in Dubai's market as new supply arrives, describing the current softness as an adjustment rather than a crisis (The National, 7 September 2026).
Will prices fall?
Alabbar suggested a possible 5% to 10% adjustment tied to regional tensions, stated as a possibility rather than a forecast. He added the market could pick up quickly if conditions settle.
Why is Emaar not discounting when others are?
Alabbar cited strong cash flow and low debt, saying Emaar sells on product quality rather than price cuts, while noting some developers are offering 20% to 50% discounts.
Should I chase a heavily discounted project?
Only after checking the developer's finances, track record and the project's escrow and delivery status. A discount can be an opportunity or a warning, depending on those factors.
Should I wait until 2027 to buy?
Use the outlook to set a realistic hold period and rent assumption, not to time the market. A sound deal that works on today's numbers does not need to wait.
Sources cited in this article
- The National : Emaar's Alabbar predicts 'nice balance' for Dubai property market
- The National : Dubai property demand shifts from luxury to mid-market
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Editorial analysis for information only, not financial advice. Forecasts are opinions, not guarantees; verify current rules and project details via DLD before any decision.