AED 13.09bn recorded in September Dubai property sales as market moderates

DUBAI — AED 13.09bn in property sales transactions were registered across Dubai in September 2026, representing 5,949 completed deals as transaction volumes adjusted month-on-month and year-on-year. Official real estate registry statistics show total sales value declined 7.3% compared to August 2026, while total transaction volume fell 5.0% month-on-month from August. On an annual basis, comparing against September 2025 when registration activity reached AED 49.10bn across 20,755 transactions, total sales volume moved lower by 73.4% and deal counts reduced by 71.3%.

Despite the broader consolidation in total reported volume, baseline pricing across active transacted units maintained underlying strength. The overall median sale price across all residential transactions stood at AED 1.30m, with a median price per square foot of AED 1,627. Registration flows in Dubai often move in non-linear batches, meaning single-month shifts reflect contract clearance rhythms alongside broader buyer activity.

Where the money went

Capital deployment remained concentrated in prime waterfront locations, established downtown hubs, and suburban master communities. Dubai Creek Harbour topped all residential destinations by aggregate transaction value, generating AED 738m across 252 registered transactions at a median rate of AED 2,564 per square foot. Palm Jumeirah followed closely in value terms, recording AED 607m from 43 transactions, achieving a market-leading median price per square foot of AED 3,363.

Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) led the market in raw transaction volume, recording 507 individual property sales totaling AED 531m at a median price per square foot of AED 1,407. Sobha Sanctuary captured AED 484m across 110 transactions with a median value of AED 1,825 per square foot, while Downtown Dubai logged AED 456m across 107 sales at a median rate of AED 2,911 per square foot.

Other notable destinations included Dubai Hills Estate, which yielded AED 451m across 100 transactions (AED 2,439 per square foot), and Business Bay, which generated AED 388m from 181 transactions (AED 2,014 per square foot). Damac Lagoons registered 191 deals worth AED 344m (AED 1,565 per square foot), while Tilal Al Ghaf recorded AED 330m across 20 high-value deals (AED 2,105 per square foot). Dubai Islands brought in AED 304m from 87 transactions (AED 2,415 per square foot), Majan recorded 283 deals worth AED 253m (AED 1,419 per square foot), and Jebel Ali First contributed AED 252m across 98 transactions (AED 2,975 per square foot).

In terms of capital appreciation across individual locations, Dubai Production City (IMPZ) posted the strongest price gains, rising 12.2% to AED 1,532 per square foot. Dubai Investment Park First expanded 10.4% to AED 840 per square foot, Dubai Hills Estate increased 9.5% to AED 2,439 per square foot, and Dubai South Residential District rose 9.2% to AED 1,335 per square foot. Additional gains were observed in Dubai Creek Harbour (+8.2% to AED 2,564 per square foot), Meydan One (+6.2% to AED 1,983 per square foot), Business Park Motor City (+5.3% to AED 1,796 per square foot), and Damac Lagoons (+4.7% to AED 1,565 per square foot).

Off-plan keeps its grip

Off-plan developments dominated buyer commitment throughout September, accounting for a 67.9% market share of total transaction volume. Off-plan registrations reached 4,039 individual primary market sales, whereas completed ready property resales totaled 525 transactions.

Master developers maintained dominant market shares across off-plan sales value. Emaar Properties PJSC ranked first among build-to-sell institutions, logging AED 2.34bn across 630 transactions. Sobha Real Estate L.L.C secured second position with AED 1.12bn across 317 sales, followed by Damac Properties with AED 928m across 470 transactions.

Nakheel PJSC captured AED 831m across 168 sales, driven significantly by luxury beachfront apartment sales. Binghatti Holding Limited processed 631 sales totaling AED 735m, while Azizi Developments registered 472 deals worth AED 412m. Majid Al Futtaim (MAF Group) recorded AED 343m across 25 high-value units, and Meraas Development L.L.C achieved AED 330m across 53 completed transactions.

Rents and yields

Dubai’s rental market processed 69,264 lease contracts during September 2026, comprising 31,605 new tenancy registrations and 37,659 lease renewals. The citywide median annual rent settled at AED 68k.

Rental growth was led by luxury and established villa communities alongside select employment hubs. Jumeirah Golf Estates saw median rents rise 27.3% to AED 210k/yr, while Dubai Investment Park First registered a 20.3% increase to AED 46k/yr. Jebel Ali First saw rental growth of 17.2% to AED 65k/yr, and Umm Hurair 1 climbed 15.3% to AED 75k/yr. Jumeirah Second experienced a 15.3% rental lift to AED 229k/yr, Al Badaa grew 11.1% to AED 84k/yr, Dubai Harbour advanced 10.3% to AED 160k/yr, and Reem Mira posted a 9.7% rise to AED 170k/yr.

Gross rental yields remained highly favorable for entry-level and mid-market apartment assets. The highest gross rental yield recorded in the city was for 1-bedroom apartments in Dubai Production City (IMPZ), delivering an 11.2% gross return based on a median annual rent of AED 55k against a median purchase price of AED 490k. 1-bedroom apartments in International City yielded 9.2% (AED 41k/yr rent on an AED 443k price tag), while studios in International City generated a 9.1% gross yield (AED 30k/yr rent on AED 330k purchase price).

Other strong performers included studios in Dubailand Residence Complex delivering an 8.9% yield (AED 37k/yr rent on AED 415k price), studios in Al Furjan offering 8.9% (AED 44k/yr rent on AED 498k price), 1-bedroom apartments in Jebel Ali Downtown generating 8.8% (AED 55k/yr rent on AED 625k price), studios in Dubai Silicon Oasis offering 8.7% (AED 41k/yr rent on AED 470k price), and studios in Dubai Production City (IMPZ) yielding 8.6% (AED 36k/yr rent on AED 420k price).

Deals of the month

The upper tier of the luxury market recorded substantial single-asset acquisitions across prime island and golf course communities. The highest-value transaction registered in September was an 8-bedroom mansion at LANAI Island in Tilal Al Ghaf, developed by Majid Al Futtaim (MAF Group), which sold for AED 91.0m.

Palm Jumeirah dominated super-prime luxury residential apartment flows, led by four separate multi-million dirham transactions at Nakheel PJSC’s Como Residences. These included a 5-bedroom residence selling for AED 71.2m, alongside three individual 4-bedroom apartments trading for AED 64.9m, AED 60.9m, and AED 60.3m respectively. Additionally, in Dubai Hills Estate, a 6-bedroom villa at Fairways developed by Emaar Properties PJSC traded for AED 45.0m.

What to watch

Market observers will closely track whether off-plan purchasing maintains its near-70% share of market value, or if ready property transfers regain momentum heading into the fourth quarter. The operational delivery pace from prime developers like Emaar and Sobha, alongside rental renewal trends across commercial and outer-suburban residential belts, will provide key indicators of structural end-user demand.