Dubai Records 37,429 Transactions Worth AED 92.9 Billion in Q3 Driven by Off-Plan Sales

Dubai's real estate market recorded 37,429 sales transactions with a total value of AED 92.9 billion during the third quarter of 2026, equivalent to approximately $25.3 billion, according to a market analysis released by fäm Properties and reported by Zawya. Primary sales from developers led the activity during the quarter, outperforming resale transactions.

The primary market, namely off-plan sales, recorded 25,441 transactions worth AED 52.6 billion, compared to 11,988 transactions in the secondary market valued at AED 40.3 billion. More than 67% of resale transactions were executed in cash during the third quarter, reflecting the continued influx of cash investments into ready properties in the emirate.

The month of September alone witnessed increases across various categories, with land sales rising 28.8% month-on-month to 237 plots worth AED 3.8 billion, and commercial transactions, including offices and retail stores, climbing 27.7% to 539 transactions valued at AED 2.2 billion. Villa sales reached 1,428 units worth AED 8.6 billion, while apartment sales recorded 9,055 units valued at AED 14.8 billion.

In terms of sales distribution by value, properties priced under AED 1 million accounted for 34.1% of transactions, followed by units priced between AED 1 million and AED 2 million at 32.4%. Regarding major deals, September saw the sale of the most expensive villa worth AED 260 million within the "Ayumi" project, and the most expensive apartment for AED 71 million in the "Como Residences" project in Palm Jumeirah. The "Dubai South" area topped off-plan sales for the seventh consecutive month with 737 transactions worth AED 980.5 million. Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, stated that the primary market remains the main driver of sales activity.

What do these terms mean?

Off-plan sales: The sale of real estate units that have not yet been built or are still under construction, where the buyer purchases the unit before project completion, often at a price lower than the ready market.

Secondary market: The market in which a property owner resells to another buyer after registration, as opposed to the primary market where sales are made directly from the developer.

Market analysis: A report that gathers and analyzes recorded transaction data to derive price and demand trends in a specific sector over a defined period.