UAE Property Market Digest: Resale Hits 29% of Sales as Prices Plateau — 16 October to 1 November 2026

Three numbers sum up the UAE market from 16 October to 1 November 2026. Resale took 29% of Dubai home sales in Q3, with 10,055 deals worth AED 27.1bn. ValuStrat’s September index slipped only 0.1% on the month. And S&P Global expects Dubai’s housing stock to grow by about 20% over two years.

How many resale deals closed in Dubai in Q3 2026?

10,055 ready-home sales worth AED 27.1bn, 16% more than in Q2. The resale share rose from 24% to 29% by number and from 30% to 37% by value, while total residential sales held at 34,615. Our Q3 resale market review.

Apartments drove the shift, with resale deals up 22% to 7,879 units. The median ready apartment price in September was AED 1,404 per sq ft, 2.4% below June but 2.2% above September 2025. Leasing enquiries rose 45% on the quarter, yet median apartment rents eased 3.8%.

Have Dubai home prices stopped falling?

Almost. ValuStrat’s index for September 2026 stood at 218.6 points against 218.8 in August, a 0.1% monthly fall. Prices are 4.5% lower than a year ago and 10.3% below February. Our September ValuStrat review.

The clearest sign of a plateau is the share of flat communities: 80% of villa and 77% of apartment communities saw no change, up from 73% and 61% in August. Jumeirah Islands led annual villa gains at 9.4%, while Mudon fell 9.2% and Palm Jumeirah villas 8.5%.

What does the 2027–2028 handover wave mean for investors?

S&P Global expects the number of homes in Dubai to rise by about 20% over two years, mostly apartments. In its view, 2027–2028 deliveries could accelerate the price correction where investors bought apartments to resell or let. Our review of the S&P Global outlook.

The quarterly market review counted about 34,000 residential deals worth AED 72.6bn in Q3 2026, down 47% by value and 38% by number on Q3 2025. S&P sees enough cushion at rated developers: Damac, Emaar, Omniyat and Sobha Realty.

Separately, S&P Global Ratings affirmed Emaar at BBB+ with a stable outlook. The developer’s revenue backlog stood at AED 164.9bn, or $44.9bn, at 30 June 2026, up 13% on a year earlier. More on the Emaar rating.

What does the IMF forecast for the UAE economy?

A 3.9% contraction in 2026 and 7.7% growth in 2027, the latter 2.4 percentage points above the April forecast. The fund blames the closed Strait of Hormuz and ties the rebound to a gradual reopening from March 2027. Our IMF forecast review.

The UAE’s downturn is milder than most neighbours’: Kuwait faces a 16.7% fall in 2026 and Qatar 15.6%. In the summer the UAE Central Bank forecast 1.7% growth for 2026 and 9.8% for 2027.

Launches: Aldar near Dubai Silicon Oasis and Ritz-Carlton on Al Maryah

Aldar and Dubai Holding plan to launch a large villa and townhouse community near Dubai Silicon Oasis, above the Blue Line metro extension, before the end of 2026. It will be Aldar’s fourth Dubai project; prices are not yet public. What we know so far.

In Abu Dhabi, SAAS Properties launched The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Al Maryah Island: 165 homes from one to four bedrooms, duplexes and a penthouse. Killa Design is the architect, handover is due in Q2 2030, and prices come on request. Details of the tower.

Abu Dhabi infrastructure: networks, bridges and tunnels

Abu Dhabi will invest AED 250bn over ten years in power, water and district cooling networks. A separate AED 55bn PPP pipeline covers 24 projects, AED 35bn of them roads, bridges and tunnels. Our infrastructure breakdown.

On 8 October 2026 the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre signed an agreement with The Boring Company to study underground transport and utility tunnels. There are no routes, dates or budget: it is a study, not a construction contract. More on the agreement.

How long is the visa grace period for UAE property owners?

90 days if your residence visa was issued as a property owner, and 180 days for Golden Visa holders. After that, the overstay fine is AED 50 a day, and tourist visas get no grace period at all. Our guide to the ICP rules.

New Dubai schools for 2026/27: Harrow, Rugby and Queen Elizabeth’s

KHDA announced 26 new private education institutions for 2026/27, including seven schools with 16,846 places. Among them are Harrow on Hessa Street, Rugby School in Nad Al Sheba and Queen Elizabeth’s School in Dubai Sports City. What the new schools mean for districts.

Frequently asked questions

What share of Dubai sales comes from the resale market?

In Q3 2026, 29% by number of deals and 37% by value: 10,055 deals worth AED 27.1bn.

Are Dubai property prices falling in autumn 2026?

Barely: ValuStrat’s September index fell 0.1% on the month. Prices are 4.5% lower than a year ago.

How much will Dubai housing supply grow?

S&P Global expects about 20% more homes over the next two years, mostly apartments.

What growth does the IMF expect for the UAE?

A 3.9% contraction in 2026 and 7.7% growth in 2027, assuming the Strait of Hormuz starts reopening in March 2027.

Own an apartment handing over in 2027–2028? Start with our handover-wave review: what to decide before the keys and how to gauge competition in your district.