Dubai recorded AED 379.4 billion in property sales in the first nine months of 2026. Explore the key figures, off-plan trends and what they mean for your next investment.
Dubai enters the final quarter with substantial property activity. For investors, the next question is how to translate the market headlines into a well-priced purchase and a realistic exit strategy.
The nine-month picture
The market at a glance
Emirates 24|7’s analysis of Dubai Land Department data puts January–September sales at approximately AED 379.4 billion. Including mortgages and gifts, registered transactions totalled AED 574.12 billion. [1]
PROPERTY SALES AED 379.4B January–September 2026 | TOTAL TRANSACTIONS AED 574.12B Sales, mortgages and gifts | MORTGAGE REGISTRATIONS AED 151.13B Over the same nine months | SEPTEMBER SALES AED 29.66B 11,430 reported sales transactions |
Source: Emirates 24|7, published 1 October 2026. Figures are reported totals, not an independent reconciliation. [1]
Read beyond the headline
A substantial market, with a different pace
The reported sales value ranks second among January–September periods, behind 2025. Separately, Argaam’s DLD-based survey reports AED 378.63 billion, down 23.5% year on year. Its total differs slightly from Emirates 24|7’s; the reports do not resolve the difference. [2]
What this means for investors
Substantial turnover can coexist with slower activity. Neither headline establishes the value of a particular apartment or villa. Compare completed transactions, competing listings and developer inventory before deciding what to pay.
Two sides of the market
Off-plan leads by volume. Ready leads by value.
The Emirates 24|7 report records more off-plan deals, while ready properties account for the larger sales value. Its ready category also includes land; this is not a like-for-like comparison of completed and unfinished homes. [1]
Bar lengths show each category’s share of the combined reported sales value: approximately 48.3% and 51.7%, calculated from the figures above. [1]
For your shortlist, compare the actual unit, payment schedule and likely future buyer. A category’s popularity alone cannot establish whether an individual purchase offers value.
From data to decisions
What should buyers focus on?
Buying a home
Assess the property’s condition, occupancy and practical move-in date. For an off-plan home, consider how the payment schedule and expected handover fit your accommodation needs, including a possible delay.
Buying to resell
Start with your exit assumptions. Identify the likely resale audience, compare alternative units and establish how much competing developer stock could remain when you want to sell.
Planning finance
Obtain an assessment for your circumstances and the specific property. Include financing costs, purchase fees and recurring charges in your budget; mortgage registration totals do not establish your eligibility.
Choosing a location
Compare access, amenities and competing supply alongside price. Visit the area and separate existing facilities from those that are planned or still under construction.
For off-plan resale investors
Four checks before reserving a unit
- Test the entry priceCompare recent similar transactions, adjusting for size, floor, view and payment terms. An attractive instalment schedule should still support a sensible purchase price.
- Confirm the resale conditionsGet the developer’s current requirements in writing, including payment thresholds, approvals and applicable charges.
- Calculate a net outcomeAllow for purchase and selling costs, financing where applicable, outstanding obligations and any holding costs. A price increase alone does not establish profit.
- Prepare for a longer holdCheck whether you can meet instalments and other commitments if the sale takes longer than expected. Avoid relying on a buyer arriving before your next payment.
Your next move
Put the numbers behind your shortlist.
Speak with M R One Properties to compare Dubai off-plan and ready-property options against your budget, preferred holding period and resale objectives.
Discuss your property goals ↗Explore off-plan properties →Your questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
How much property was sold in Dubai in the first nine months of 2026?
Emirates 24|7 reported AED 379.4 billion in sales for January–September 2026, based on Dubai Land Department data. This is a nine-month figure, not a full-year result.
Does AED 574.12 billion represent property sales?
No. That figure includes sales, mortgage registrations and gifts. Sales alone accounted for approximately AED 379.4 billion in the same report.
Are off-plan properties leading the market?
The cited report records more off-plan deals than ready-property deals over the nine months. Ready properties, however, accounted for the larger sales value. Transaction volume and sales value measure different things.
Does strong market activity guarantee a profitable resale?
No. Your outcome depends on the purchase price, competing inventory, future demand, resale conditions and costs. A higher resale price does not necessarily mean a net profit.
Should I choose off-plan or ready property?
Compare the options against your goal and holding period. For off-plan, review payment obligations, construction progress and resale conditions. For ready property, assess condition, occupancy, service charges and comparable completed sales.
What should I check before buying off-plan to resell?
Confirm when resale is permitted, what payments and approvals are required, and which costs apply. Compare the proposed exit price with recent transactions and competing developer stock. Keep enough funds to hold the property longer if a buyer takes time to secure.
Why do published Dubai market totals differ?
Emirates 24|7 reports AED 379.4 billion in nine-month sales, while Argaam reports AED 378.63 billion. The reports do not establish the reason for the difference. This article uses Emirates 24|7 consistently and identifies Argaam separately for year-on-year context.
[1] Emirates 24|7: Dubai real estate transactions hit Dh574 billion in nine months · 1 October 2026. Principal figures throughout this article use this report consistently.
[2] Argaam: How did Dubai real estate market fare in 9M 2026? · 1 October 2026. Used separately for year-on-year context and the published-total comparison.
Figures describe registered activity and do not predict an individual property’s future price.
Prepared 28 October 2026. Market commentary and buyer checklists are M R One Properties’ analysis. General information only; this article does not constitute personalised financial advice or guarantee resale returns.
About the author
Mohammed Ali
Senior Advisor
With over 15 years of experience in the UAE real estate market, Mohammed Ali is one of Dubai’s most respected real estate professionals. Known for his deep market knowledge, trusted advice, and experience through every market cycle, he helps investors make confident, long-term property decisions.
About the author
Mohammed Ali
·Senior AdvisorWith over 15 years of experience in the UAE real estate market, Mohammed Ali is one of Dubai’s most respected real estate professionals. Known for his deep market knowledge, trusted advice, and experience through every market cycle, he helps investors make confident, long-term property decisions.
