Dubai’s real estate market continued to post strong results in the third quarter of 2026, recording 37,429 sales transactions with a total value of AED 92.9 billion, supported by continued demand for new developments and solid activity in the rental market.
Market analysis showed that the primary market remained the main driver of sales during the period, with 25,441 transactions worth AED 52.6 billion. The resale market, meanwhile, recorded 11,988 transactions with a combined value of AED 40.3 billion.
The data also showed that more than 67% of all resale transactions during the third quarter were completed in cash, highlighting the continued strength of cash liquidity in the secondary market.
September also delivered strong results across several property categories, with growth in land sales and commercial transactions, alongside continued activity in villa and apartment sales.
Cash Liquidity Supports Dubai’s Resale Market
Cash transactions continued to play a significant role in Dubai’s resale market, with data showing that more than 67% of all secondary-market deals during the third quarter were completed in cash.
This reflects the continued appeal of ready properties among a wide range of investors and buyers, alongside the strong activity recorded by new developments in the primary market.
Third-quarter results also confirmed continued activity across both the primary and secondary markets, with developer sales remaining ahead in terms of both transaction volume and total value.
Land and Commercial Property Sales Post Strong Growth
Land sales recorded a notable increase in September, rising 28.8% month over month to 237 plots with a combined value of AED 3.8 billion.
Commercial transactions, including offices and retail units, also rose 27.7% month over month, reaching 539 deals worth AED 2.2 billion.
Villa sales increased by 3.9%, with 1,428 villas sold for a total of AED 8.6 billion during September.
Apartments, meanwhile, recorded 9,055 sales transactions worth AED 14.8 billion during the same month, maintaining their significant share of overall real estate activity in Dubai.
Dubai Rents Move Closer to Record Levels
Dubai’s rental market continued to perform strongly, with 48,639 rental contracts registered in freehold areas during September, representing a monthly increase of 22.6%.
New lease contracts rose 25.6% year over year to 25,345, while renewals increased by 7.6% to 23,294 contracts.
With these results, the total number of rental contracts registered in Dubai’s freehold areas during the first nine months of 2026 reached 298,984, up 6.8% compared with the same period in 2025.
The year 2025 had recorded an annual all-time high of 377,926 rental contracts, placing the market on a strong path as 2026 approaches its final months.
Demand for New Developments Continues to Lead the Market
Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, said that the primary market remains the main driver of sales activity in Dubai, while the resale market continues to attract high levels of cash investment. He added that rental indicators confirm continued strong demand for residential units in freehold areas, noting that the overall performance of the market reflects sustained activity, even as the pace of growth varies across different sectors.
These indicators confirm continued demand for new developments, while the secondary market maintains high levels of activity supported by a significant share of cash purchases.
Luxury Deals Reach Hundreds of Millions of Dirhams
Dubai’s luxury property market recorded several major transactions in September, with the most expensive villa sold for AED 260 million in the “Eom” project.
In the apartment market, the highest-priced transaction of the month reached AED 71 million at Como Residences on Palm Jumeirah.
These deals reflect continued activity in the luxury property segment, alongside broad-based demand across other price categories in the market.
Dubai South Leads Off-Plan Property Sales
Dubai South continued to lead the list of best-performing areas for off-plan property sales for the seventh consecutive month.
The area recorded 737 sales transactions in September with a total value of AED 980.5 million, maintaining its strong position among the most active locations in Dubai’s new-development market.
Dubai South’s continued lead in off-plan sales reflects the level of demand for developments in the area, alongside a growing range of property options available to buyers and investors.
Properties Below AED 1 Million Hold the Largest Share
Properties priced below AED 1 million accounted for the largest share of total sales in Dubai, representing 34.1% of transactions.
Properties priced between AED 1 million and AED 2 million followed with a 32.4% share, while homes valued between AED 2 million and AED 3 million accounted for 14.6% of sales.
Properties priced between AED 3 million and AED 5 million represented 10.3% of transactions, while homes valued above AED 5 million made up around 8.3% of total sales.
These figures show the continued diversity of demand in Dubai’s property market, with strong activity in the mid-priced segment alongside continued demand at higher price points.
Al Warsan First Leads Dubai’s Rental Areas
Al Warsan First topped the list of Dubai’s most active rental areas during the first nine months of 2026, recording 28,825 rental contracts.
Jebel Ali First ranked next with 24,710 contracts, followed by Al Barsha South Fourth with 24,564.
Apartments continued to dominate rental demand, particularly one-bedroom units, which recorded 124,113 rental contracts during the first nine months of the year.
This category alone represented around 42% of all rental contracts registered during the period, reflecting continued strong demand across Dubai’s freehold areas.
