The Homevy Monthly Index – January 2026 Edition

Hey there!

It’s Homevy again with our Monthly Index, and this time we’re talking all things January…;the month that reminded us why we do what we do.

If you followed along last month, you know December was…well, humbling.

We set ambitious targets, learned some hard lessons about balancing occupancy with revenue, and walked away with a 76% occupancy rate – but great revenue. 

So what did we do with those lessons? Let’s get into it.

A Quick Look at What Happened in December

Before we celebrate January, let’s circle back to December.

We were super optimistic and pushed for premium rates cos it was peak season. While the strategy made sense on paper, the execution showed us where the gaps were. Our median booking window dropped to just 2 days, and we got lots of last-minute reservations.

But here’s what we took away from it: sometimes you have to choose between maximizing revenue and maximizing occupancy. In December, we chose revenue. 

In January, we had both.

Image by Homevy

January 2026: Optimizing for Both Guest Occupancy & Revenue

Fast forward to January, and things looked very different.

We hit an average occupancy rate of 91.40%.

That’s a 15-point jump from December, and more importantly, it’s 23.7% higher than the Dubai market average of 73.90%.

Image by Homevy

The Dubai short-term rental market had a solid January – occupancy across the city jumped 14.2% from December as the tourism season picked up momentum. But while the market was recovering, we were already ahead.

Here’s how Homevy stacked up against the Dubai average in January:

• Occupancy Rate: 91.40% (Homevy) vs 73.90% (Dubai): we outperformed by 23.7%
• Average Stay Duration: 6.9 nights (Homevy) vs 8.6 nights (Dubai): 19.9% shorter

Our strategy in January was simple: competitive pricing that fills calendars.

Higher occupancy means more consistent revenue for our property owners, more guest reviews building up our listings, and more opportunities to deliver the kind of experience that earns five-star ratings.

Speaking of 5-star ratings, here’s our favorite guest review of January 🎉

Image by Homevy

The Trade-Off We’re Happy to Make & What January Taught Us

Our average stay duration was 6.9 nights compared to Dubai’s 8.6. That’s almost two days shorter per booking.

What does that mean in practice? 

More turnover, yes…;but also more guests cycling through our properties, more chances to impress, and more positive reviews piling up. For property owners focused on long-term performance, this matters a whole lot.

It also means our operations team is constantly on their game. Faster turnovers, tighter cleaning schedules, and seamless check-ins. January tested that system, and tbh, we passed.

December taught us how to re-strategize, and January taught us execution.

What makes a great month isn’t just market conditions…:it’s how quickly you adapt. In January, we adjusted our pricing strategy, tightened our booking windows, and focused on filling nights at great rates.

The result is a massive gap over the Dubai average, and a portfolio of happy property owners seeing consistent returns.

Looking Ahead to February, Ramadan, and Valentine

February is often an interesting month for Dubai…:even more so for this specific year. 

There’s Valentine’s Day bringing in couples looking for romantic getaways, and then Ramadan begins toward mid month ish, shifting the travel cycle entirely.

Two very different vibes. Two very different guest profiles.

For us, that means flexibility. Early February, we’re optimizing for short romantic stays; weekend bookings, views, and more. Late February, we shift gears: longer stays, adjusted pricing, and catering to a different kind of traveler.

January taught us that adapting quickly is everything.  February will test that again, and we’re more than prepared.

Thanks for following along! See you next month as usual :))