Ras Al Khaimah’s real estate market has entered one of its strongest phases in years, with new data showing a sharp rise in prices, record off-plan activity and expanding investor demand across key waterfront communities. Freehold residential values rose 14.9% in the third quarter of 2025, pushing the emirate’s property index to 122.2 points. Apartments led the surge, climbing 15.5% year-on-year and 4.9% over the quarter, while villas recorded 13.8% annual growth.
Al Marjan Island remained the most in-demand location, posting a 16.8% increase in capital values over the year and more than 6% growth in a single quarter. The performance reflects a wider shift toward branded and beachfront developments, which continue to attract regional and international buyers.
Off-plan sales drove most of the market’s momentum. From January to September 2025, these projects accounted for 84% of all registrations, generating over Dh8.2 billion across more than 4,100 units. Activity in the ready-home segment remained steady, with 776 completed properties sold for a total of Dh909 million. Average rental yields for freehold homes stood at 5.4%, keeping the emirate competitive for income-focused investors.
The rise in property activity comes as Ras Al Khaimah undergoes broad economic expansion. The emirate is forecast to maintain 4.2% annual GDP growth through 2027, supported by strong credit stability, rising foreign investment and the addition of new companies in the RAK Economic Zone, which registered 8,506 firms in the first half of 2025—an increase of 43%.
A major structural change this year was the merger between Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding to accelerate the Vision 2030 plan. The strategy targets 3.5 million visitors annually and nearly 20,000 hotel keys. Tourism already accounts for about 5% of RAK’s GDP, with hotel guest arrivals reaching 653,700 in the first half of 2025. A pipeline of 29 new hotels is scheduled for delivery by 2030.
Developers report strong interest in luxury and branded residences, with prices for some premium projects rising between 30% and 50% compared with last year. Mortgage-backed purchases now make up the largest share of transactions, signalling a shift toward long-term end users and away from speculative buying.
New master communities, including the 85-million-square-foot Marjan Beach and Maireed Island, are expected to add further depth to the market as the emirate positions itself as one of the UAE’s most active investment destinations.
