Due to increased foreign investment, historic freehold developments, and robust demand from investors and end users, the Sharjah real estate sector’s transaction prices increased by almost 60% this year.
Sharjah is quickly becoming one of the UAE’s most vibrant real estate markets, changing its reputation as a center of sustainable, community-driven living. Previously, Sharjah was mostly recognized as an inexpensive commuting hub for Dubai.
Savills Research reports that property sales in Sharjah totaled Dh44.3 billion in the first nine months of 2025, which is already more than the entire value recorded in 2024 and represents a 58.3% rise over the same time last year. The expansion is a reflection of the emirate’s growing appeal since freehold ownership for all nationalities was introduced in 2022. This reform has changed market dynamics and drawn in a wide range of international investors.
“Sharjah has evolved from being a value-driven residential alternative to Dubai into a self-sustaining, lifestyle-oriented destination,” said Andrew Cummings, head of residential agency for the Middle East at Savills Research. “The introduction of freehold zones and continued infrastructure investment have been game-changers, opening the market to international buyers and boosting long-term investor confidence.”
According to Savills, 121 different nationalities made investments in Sharjah’s real estate market in the first three quarters of 2025, highlighting the city’s rising international prominence. The most active buyers are still UAE citizens, followed by investors from Europe, South Asia, and non-GCC Arab countries.
Offering a variety of flats, villas, and branded homes, the city’s freehold property market now consists of 14 significant developments centered close to the Dubai border. More than 12,000 new freehold units have been introduced by developers like Arada, Alef Group, and IFA Hotels & Resorts, who have maintained a strong momentum through 2025. Due to the ongoing demand for master-planned communities, Arada alone reported a sales increase of more than 20% in the first half of the year.
Arada’s Masaar 2, one of the year’s most notable debuts, sold out on its first day, with over 2,000 villas and townhouses reserved right away. at a similar vein, within a week of its January opening, 80% of the units at IFA’s Al Tay Hills development were sold. The strong demand for community-focused developments that blend affordability with excellent design and amenities is reflected in these quick sellouts.
The Sharjah-based BEEAH Group, which unveiled its first real estate project, Khalid Bin Sultan City, is one of the new players entering the emirate’s real estate sector. The mixed-use community in Rodhat Al Sidr, designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, will be the first entirely master-planned residential complex in the United Arab Emirates.
“We are seeing developers compete not only on price but also on quality, sustainability, and lifestyle value,” said Rachael Kennerley, director of research at Savills Research. “Sharjah’s next growth phase will be defined by innovation and community living.”
In both the primary and resale markets, villa and townhouse communities like Al Zahia, Hayyan, and Masaar continue to be the best performers because end customers value lifestyle-oriented features and green areas more than size. Sharjah’s housing market is becoming more in line with the contemporary urban tastes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi thanks to this move toward holistic living, all the while retaining a considerable affordability advantage.
“Sharjah has evolved from being a value-driven residential alternative to Dubai into a self-sustaining, lifestyle-oriented destination,” said Andrew Cummings, head of residential agency for the Middle East at Savills Research. “The introduction of freehold zones and continued infrastructure investment have been game-changers, opening the market to international buyers and boosting long-term investor confidence.”
According to Savills, 121 different nationalities made investments in Sharjah’s real estate market in the first three quarters of 2025, highlighting the city’s rising international prominence. The most active buyers are still UAE citizens, followed by investors from Europe, South Asia, and non-GCC Arab countries.
Offering a variety of flats, villas, and branded homes, the city’s freehold property market now consists of 14 significant developments centered close to the Dubai border. More than 12,000 new freehold units have been introduced by developers like Arada, Alef Group, and IFA Hotels & Resorts, who have maintained a strong momentum through 2025. Due to the ongoing demand for master-planned communities, Arada alone reported a sales increase of more than 20% in the first half of the year.
Arada’s Masaar 2, one of the year’s most notable debuts, sold out on its first day, with over 2,000 villas and townhouses reserved right away. at a similar vein, within a week of its January opening, 80% of the units at IFA’s Al Tay Hills development were sold. The strong demand for community-focused developments that blend affordability with excellent design and amenities is reflected in these quick sellouts.
The Sharjah-based BEEAH Group, which unveiled its first real estate project, Khalid Bin Sultan City, is one of the new players entering the emirate’s real estate sector. The mixed-use community in Rodhat Al Sidr, designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, will be the first entirely master-planned residential complex in the United Arab Emirates. “We are seeing developers compete not only on price but also on quality, sustainability, and lifestyle value,” said Rachael Kennerley, director of research at Savills Research. “Sharjah’s next growth phase will be defined by innovation and community living.”
In both the primary and resale markets, villa and townhouse communities like Al Zahia, Hayyan, and Masaar continue to be the best performers because end customers value lifestyle-oriented features and green areas more than size. Sharjah’s housing market is becoming more in line with the contemporary urban tastes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi thanks to this move toward holistic living, all the while retaining a considerable affordability advantage.
The emirate’s overall economic vigor also supports the real estate boom. In the first half of 2025, 74 projects brought in Dh5.5 billion ($1.5 billion), making Sharjah the fastest-growing FDI destination in the United Arab Emirates. In the same time frame, Sharjah International Airport handled 102,000 tonnes of cargo and over 9.1 million passengers, up 10% year over year, solidifying its position as a major center for regional logistics. By 2027, an ongoing airport expansion will increase capacity to 25 million passengers per year.
Government changes have significantly enhanced transparency and efficiency in the real estate industry. With the introduction of the Aqari digital platform, over 20 real estate procedures, such as title registration and lease certification, were combined into a single system, greatly speeding up transactions and boosting investor confidence.
Savills anticipates that Sharjah’s housing market will hold up well for the remainder of the year thanks to consistent demand from local investors and UAE citizens. In Sharjah’s central and eastern regions, ongoing infrastructure developments are expected to improve connectivity, especially in areas east of Emirates Road (E611), which is attracting first-time homebuyers and budget-conscious buyers.
“The long-term outlook for Sharjah real estate remains extremely positive,” said Cummings. “The emirate’s combination of affordability, improved accessibility, and focus on sustainability makes it one of the UAE’s most attractive markets for both residents and investors. As master-planned communities continue to evolve and new developments raise design standards, Sharjah is positioning itself as a major player in the region’s property landscape.”
