In Q3 2026, Dubai recorded 37,429 property sales worth AED 92.9 billion, according to Dubai Land Department data analysed by Lucretia. Off-plan accounted for 25,441 sales, Dubai South kept the lead, and more than 67% of resales were paid in cash.
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Dubai property sales in Q3 2026 reached 37,429 transactions worth a total of AED 92.9 billion, according to data from the Dubai Land Department (DLD) analysed by Lucretia. The primary market, meaning sales made directly by developers and mostly off-plan, remains the main driver of activity. Resales, meanwhile, are drawing capital that largely pays in cash.
Our reading of the quarter is clear: new-build continues to carry volumes, and the resale market is attracting substantial cash investment. Over the full year, the rental market is on track to set an all-time record.
Key takeaways
- In Q3 2026, Dubai recorded 37,429 property sales worth AED 92.9 billion, according to Dubai Land Department data.
- Dubai's primary market completed 25,441 sales worth AED 52.6 billion in Q3 2026, around 68% of transactions.
- Resales in Dubai accounted for 11,988 transactions worth AED 40.3 billion in Q3 2026.
- Just over 67% of resales completed in Dubai in Q3 2026 were paid in cash.
- At the end of September 2026, Dubai South was Dubai's most active area for off-plan sales for the seventh month running.
Off-plan accounts for nearly seven sales in ten
With 25,441 transactions out of 37,429, the primary market represents around 68% of Dubai's Q3 2026 sales, and AED 52.6 billion of the AED 92.9 billion traded. The gap between share of transactions and share of value has a simple explanation: the average ticket differs. Divided by the number of sales, it comes to roughly AED 2.1 million for new-build versus roughly AED 3.4 million for resales (Lucretia calculation based on DLD data).
This difference reflects the structure of supply. New-build is concentrated in emerging districts, where entry prices are more accessible. Resales involve more completed properties in established neighbourhoods. The instalment plans developers offer during construction also support primary volumes: we explain how they work in our guide Payment plans in Dubai: staged payments for off-plan.
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Dubai South leads off-plan for the seventh month running
According to DLD data, Dubai South was once again Dubai's top area by off-plan sales volume in September 2026. It is the seventh consecutive time it has held that spot. This master-planned urban hub, built around Dubai World Central, attracts buyers looking for lower entry prices than in central districts, along with long-term development potential.
Such consistency points to demand that is settling in for the long run, not just the one-off effect of a launch. It also has a consequence: handovers will be concentrated in the same area. Before buying, compare each project's developer quality, construction timeline and positioning, including those from the developer Dubai South.
Resales: 67% paid in cash
More than two thirds of Dubai's Q3 2026 resales were paid without a mortgage. This segment therefore relies little on bank debt, making it less sensitive to rising rates or tighter credit. It is also less exposed to the forced sales that accompany credit-fuelled speculative cycles.
This finding needs some nuance, though. In new-build, the developer's instalment plan is itself a form of financing. The strength of each off-plan buyer therefore depends on their ability to meet payment calls through to handover.
What it means for investors
For investors, we draw three lessons from this quarter. First, new-build remains the market's busiest entry point: it offers more accessible tickets and payments spread over the construction period. Second, resales show solid demand, overwhelmingly cash-funded, which supports the liquidity of completed properties in established neighbourhoods. Third, the rental record expected for the year confirms the depth of occupier demand. That matters especially in Dubai, where individuals pay no tax on rental income or on property capital gains.
In a high-demand area such as Dubai South, the choice of project matters as much as the location. We examine the developer's strength, the handover schedule, competing supply due at the same time and the depth of the rental market at key handover. Our guide Buying off-plan in Dubai covers every step, from reservation to registration with the Dubai Land Department.
These volumes alone say nothing certain about future yields or capital gains. They do, however, describe an active and diversified market. Lucretia helps you choose between new-build and resale according to your horizon, your income needs and your exit strategy. See our overview in Investing in Dubai.
Source: Dubai Land Department (DLD), Q3 2026 transaction data — Lucretia analysis, October 2026
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