Sharjah property sales soar to record Dh65.6b; 33,700 homes lined up

Sharjah real estate market defied regional trends to register an unprecedented AED 65.6 billion (approximately $17.9 billion) in property sales for 2025, marking a staggering 64% surge from the previous year. This explosive growth has carried robust momentum into 2026, with Q1 transactions jumping another 41% year-on-year to AED 18.5 billion, propelled by game-changing foreign ownership reforms, massive infrastructure upgrades, and a burgeoning population. The emirate's appeal, meticulously detailed by entities like Cavendish Maxwell, stems from its strategic policy shifts, notably Sharjah Law No. 2 of 2022, which grants foreigners freehold ownership in designated areas without requiring UAE residency, democratizing access to a previously restricted market. This regulatory evolution, coupled with a more affordable cost of living compared to neighboring Dubai, has significantly broadened its investor base to include over 129 nationalities in 2025 alone. Simultaneously, substantial government investment in connectivity projects such as Etihad Rail and major road networks is enhancing the emirate's logistical prowess, cementing its position as a compelling alternative for both end-users and yield-seeking investors. Looking ahead, Sharjah is poised for continued expansion with a formidable pipeline of 33,700 new residential units slated for delivery by 2030, including 24,800 apartments and 9,900 villas and townhouses. The focus remains on sustainable, master-planned developments designed to accommodate a population projected to hit 2.1 million, ensuring long-term demand. Investors and developers are keenly watching how this substantial new supply integrates into a market driven by consistent population growth and the UAE's broader economic diversification agenda, especially as the nation forecasts a 5% GDP growth for 2026.