Dubai’s property market recorded another month of positive activity in October 2026, with villa sales reaching their highest level in four months. A total of 1,037 villas were sold during the month, according to the latest analysis by Property Finder, based on data from the Dubai Land Department.
The figures also showed that buyers who used mortgage financing to purchase villas took out larger loans. The average mortgage value per villa increased from AED 2.74 million to AED 2.87 million, reflecting a rise in the amount borrowed by villa buyers during the month.
Mortgage Activity Rises for the Third Consecutive Month as More Apartment Buyers Turn to Financing
Mortgage activity continued to increase across Dubai’s property market in October, with the number of registered mortgages rising 5.2% to 3,811. This marked the third consecutive month of growth, although the total value of mortgages fell 24.7% to AED 7.32 billion.
Apartment buyers also made greater use of mortgage financing. The share of apartment sales completed through mortgages reached 34.7% in October, up from 31% in September and 26.7% in August.
Apartments accounted for 85.8% of all registered mortgages, highlighting the growing use of financing among buyers in this segment of Dubai’s residential market.
Dubai Residential Property Sales Reach AED 30.2 Billion as Transaction Volumes and Values Increase
Residential properties remained the main driver of Dubai’s real estate market in October. The number of residential transactions increased 6% to 11,294, while their combined value rose 18% to AED 30.2 billion.
Commercial property transactions presented a different picture. Although the number of deals declined 4% to 589, their total value increased 22% to AED 4.5 billion.
Resale activity contributed significantly to the month’s performance. The number of resale transactions climbed 13% to 5,304, putting the market 37% above the lowest level recorded in May.
Resale and Off-Plan Property Markets Record Higher Sales Values Across Dubai
Dubai’s resale property market recorded an increase in total sales value, rising from AED 15.8 billion to AED 18.1 billion during October.
Off-plan property sales also grew in value, despite a slight decline in the number of transactions compared with the previous month.
A total of 6,579 off-plan transactions were recorded in October, compared with 6,593 in September. However, their combined value increased from AED 13.6 billion to AED 16.7 billion, showing that the primary market generated higher sales values without an increase in transaction volume.
Broader Buyer Participation Reflects Growing Demand for Homes Within Buyers’ Financial Reach
Commenting on the latest figures, Sherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, said, “The 24.7% decline in mortgage value during October is not an indication of market weakness, as the number of mortgages increased for the third consecutive month. More people are choosing to buy with smaller loans, and this means that the market’s buyer base has become broader.”
He added, “Applicants whose monthly salaries ranged between AED 20,000 and approximately AED 60,000 accounted for 68.5% of total applications through Property Finder, compared with 55.7% in September, while the average loan value for residential apartments decreased from AED 2.67 million to AED 1.77 million.”
Sleiman noted that these figures reflect a shift among buyers toward purchasing homes that match their financial capabilities. He also pointed out that adjustments to asking prices since February have brought more properties within buyers’ financial reach.
