2026 so far
Momentum this year
- Q1 2026Transaction value +31% and volume +6% vs Q1 20254
- Q2 2026Sales volume −27.6% vs Q2 2025, with 73% of sales off-plan4
- Oct 2026Sales volume −40.1% vs Oct 2025, but value AED 34.7bn, +18% vs September2
Quarterly figures come from different reports and definitions, so read them as direction, not exact comparisons.
What's selling
October 2026 sales by property type2
Number of sales and change vs October 2025
Down vs last yearUp vs last year
Apartments8,888 sales−45.2%
Villas1,356 sales+5.5%
Townhouses649 sales−48.9%
Commercial540 sales−21.5%
Plots449 sales+16%
Show as table
| Type | Sales Oct 2026 | vs Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Apartments | 8,888 | −45.2% |
| Villas | 1,356 | +5.5% |
| Townhouses | 649 | −48.9% |
| Commercial | 540 | −21.5% |
| Plots | 449 | +16% |
Off-plan vs ready, Jan–Oct 20261
Off-planReady
Number of deals
Off-plan 90,760Ready 43,970
Sales value (AED bn)
Off-plan AED 196.4bnReady AED 215.6bn
Show as table
| Measure | Off-plan | Ready |
|---|---|---|
| Number of deals | 90,760 | ~43,970 |
| Sales value (AED bn) | 196.38 | 215.60 |
Where the money goes
Top 10 areas by sales value, Jan–Oct 20261
AED billion
Show as table
| Area | AED bn |
|---|---|
| Business Bay | 21.96 |
| Airport City | 18.35 |
| Al Yalayis 1 | 16.63 |
| Palm Deira | 13.85 |
| Palm Jumeirah | 12.77 |
| Me'aisem 2 | 11.86 |
| Jumeirah Village Circle | 11.23 |
| Palm Jebel Ali | 10.90 |
| Al Ruwayyah 1 | 9.83 |
| Burj Khalifa area | 9.58 |
Median price per sq ft, October 20262
| Type | AED / sq ft | vs Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| New apartments (primary) | 1,719 | −1.7% |
| Resale apartments | 1,522 | −2.1% |
| Resale villas | 1,631 | −2.4% |
| New villas (primary)* | 1,236 | −30.2% |
*Mostly a mix effect from one large villa launch, not a real 30% price fall.
Mortgages & rents
2025: the record year
My take
Fewer deals, steady prices.October sales were 40% below last year, yet median prices moved less than 4%. Owners are holding, not selling at any price.
Off-plan is still the engine.Two out of three deals this year were off-plan. Payment plans keep the entry ticket low.
Villas and land keep growing.Villa and plot sales were both up on last year while apartments slowed. Space is still in demand.
A better market to negotiate in.With fewer buyers competing, I'm seeing more incentives on new launches, like DLD waivers and post-handover plans.
Sources
- Dubai Land Department data via Emirates 24|7, reported 31 Oct 2026 (Jan–Oct 2026 totals, off-plan/ready, top areas)
- DXB Interact, based on Dubai Land Department records, October 2026 report (published 3 Nov 2026)
- Dubai Land Department, 2025 annual results
- Dubai official Q1 2026 figures and Q2 2026 analysis, compiled by MU Private Office (1 Oct 2026)
Figures are as reported by the sources above, based on Dubai Land Department records, and may be revised. This page is for information only and is not financial advice.