AED 3.13 billion property sales registered across Dubai as off-plan leads

DUBAI — AED 3.13 billion in total real estate sales across 1,185 transactions were registered in Dubai during the week of 12 October to 18 October 2026. The weekly figures reflect a 36.5% decline in transaction volume and a 36.2% drop in gross sales value compared with the prior seven-day period. Because Dubai Land Department registrations arrive in batches, short-term weekly swings frequently reflect administrative timing rather than structural demand shifts. The median transaction value across all residential property types stood at AED 1.40 million, with a median price per square foot of AED 1,617.

Registrations were spread across the period, reflecting standard processing cadences across Dubai registration centers.

Where the money went

Prime waterfront and established luxury enclave projects captured a major portion of total capital deployment. Palm Jumeirah topped all locations by overall transaction value, generating AED 180 million across 13 sales with a median price of AED 4,326 per square foot. Jebel Ali Village logged the second highest total volume, accumulating AED 163 million across 24 transactions at a median price per square foot of AED 1,737.

Business Bay followed closely, recording AED 157 million across 37 sales at AED 2,217 per square foot. Dubai Hills Estate generated AED 156 million across 39 deals at AED 2,488 per square foot, while Commercial District accounted for AED 135 million across 24 sales at AED 1,276 per square foot.

Golf-front communities and master-planned waterfront extensions also maintained solid traction. Jumeirah Golf Estates recorded AED 119 million from 6 transactions, averaging AED 2,622 per square foot. Dubai Creek Harbour posted 35 transactions worth AED 111 million, while Jumeirah Village Circle led all communities in absolute transaction volume, registering 86 completed sales for AED 95.7 million. Downtown Dubai added AED 87.1 million across 19 deals, and Dubai Academic & Outsource City registered 16 sales totaling AED 83.7 million.

Off-plan keeps its grip

Primary market off-plan sales retained their dominant standing in the market, representing 67.8% of all registered sales transactions with 803 units sold. Off-plan resales comprised 121 transactions within this total, reflecting active investor trading prior to completion.

Master developers maintained consistent absorption rates across off-plan launches. Emaar Properties PJSC led all developers with AED 265 million in gross sales across 65 transactions. Sobha Real Estate L.L.C generated AED 147 million across 40 sales, while Dubai South Properties LLC registered AED 142 million across 26 deals. Zaya Real Estate Development achieved AED 141 million from 21 transactions, Damac Properties reported AED 137 million across 66 sales, and Reportage Real Estate registered 97 sales totaling AED 136 million.

The week also marked initial registration activity for newly launched projects. The Wow Tower in Dubailand Residence Complex saw its first 9 transactions registered, while Rabdan Avenue in Nad Al Shiba First recorded 7 initial sales.

Rents and yields

In the secondary resale and capital appreciation sphere, Meydan City recorded the largest short-term gain in median price per square foot, rising 36.8% over the last 30 days compared with the prior 30-day period to reach AED 3,421 per square foot. Jumeirah Lake Towers rose 20.6% to AED 1,848 per square foot, and Dubai Science Park (Dubiotech) gained 16.8% to reach AED 2,025 per square foot.

Other notable gainers included Meydan One, which advanced 12.7% to AED 2,053 per square foot, Dubai Islands, up 9.2% to AED 2,584 per square foot, and Jumeirah Village Triangle, which increased 8.4% to AED 1,628 per square foot.

Leasing market activity remained high, with 16,033 rental contracts registered through official channels. Renewal contracts totaled 9,099 agreements, outstripping 6,934 new tenancy contracts. The overall median annual rent across Dubai stood at AED 65,000 per year. In sub-market movements, annual rental values in Umm Hurair 2 expanded 29.6% to AED 110,000 per year, while Al Barshaa South Third recorded a 27.3% increase to AED 70,000 per year. Dubai South logged a 16.3% rise to AED 61,000 per year, Dubai Investment Park Second gained 15.8% to AED 45,000 per year, Arabian Ranches Phase 2 advanced 15.8% to AED 255,000 per year, and Al Baraha rose 13.6% to AED 30,000 per year.

Deals of the week

Institutional and ultra-high-net-worth demand produced 43 transactions above the AED 10 million threshold. The week's highest single transaction was a secondary market sale of a 6-bedroom home in Signature Villas Frond N (Al Naghal) on Palm Jumeirah for AED 67.6 million.

Primary off-plan luxury sales also saw substantial value. The top off-plan deal was a 3-bedroom residence at Regent Residences Dubai Sankari Place West Tower in Business Bay, fetching AED 46.3 million. In Al Barari, a 5-bedroom secondary home in Al Barari Villas was sold for AED 41.0 million. Additional primary sales included a unit at Eden Hills in Dubai Hills Estate for AED 33.3 million, a 6-bedroom property at The Next Chapter Cedarwood Estates in Jumeirah Golf Estates for AED 33.2 million, and a 6-bedroom villa in The Beach and Coral Collection Villas - Frond F on Palm Jebel Ali for AED 31.8 million.

What to watch

Market metrics suggest three key observations for market participants to monitor in upcoming registration cycles:

First, off-plan market share remains resilient at 67.8%, underscoring developer pricing power and sustained primary capital flows. Second, premium villa communities such as Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Hills Estate continue to attract high-ticket investments. Third, lease renewals outnumbering new leases by over 30% signals strong tenant retention across mature and emerging residential areas.