Dubai ready-home sales climb 16% in Q3 as buyers favour completed properties

Sales of ready residential properties in Dubai rose 16 percent in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous three months, as buyers increasingly chose completed homes over off-plan developments, according to the latest market report by betterhomes.

Secondary market transactions reached 10,055 during the quarter, lifting the share of such sales in total residential transactions from 24 percent in the second quarter to 29 percent in the third quarter. The value of secondary sales also grew, accounting for 37 percent of total residential sales value, up from 30 percent in the previous quarter, with a total of Dh27.1 billion.

Shift towards completed homes

The shift comes as Dubai’s residential property market enters what the report describes as a more selective phase. Buyers are increasingly prioritising homes that offer immediate occupancy, rental income and clearer visibility on established community performance.

Overall, Dubai recorded 34,615 residential sales during the third quarter, a figure broadly unchanged from the second quarter.

Apartments drove much of the growth in secondary market activity, with transactions rising 22 percent to 7,879 units during the quarter. In contrast, secondary sales volumes for villas and townhouses remained broadly unchanged.

The report noted that completed properties are becoming more attractive because they offer immediate use or rental returns, alongside clearer pricing comparisons based on recent transactions.

Richard Waind, CEO of betterhomes, said the market is becoming increasingly selective as buyers reassess their priorities.

“Q3 tells us the market is moving into a more selective phase. Buyers are showing a clear preference for ready homes they can use or let straight away, while record leasing enquiries show that rental demand remains strong,” Waind said.

He added that the strongest activity during the final quarter of 2026 is expected to remain concentrated in competitively priced homes within established communities.

Property prices ease

Despite stronger demand for ready properties, residential prices softened during the third quarter.

In September, the median apartment price stood at Dh1,404 per square foot, a decline of 2.4 percent compared with June. Villa and townhouse prices declined 2.3 percent over the same period to Dh1,638 per square foot.

However, prices remained higher on an annual basis, with apartment prices increasing 2.2 percent and villa and townhouse prices rising 4.1 percent compared with September 2025.

According to the report, approximately three-quarters of the communities surveyed recorded lower prices per square foot than in the previous quarter, while around two-thirds remained above their levels from a year earlier.

The findings indicate that buyers are becoming more price-sensitive, placing greater importance on recent comparable transactions when evaluating properties.

Rental enquiries hit record high

Dubai’s rental market also recorded strong activity during the quarter, with betterhomes reporting its highest-ever quarterly level of leasing enquiries.

Rental enquiries increased 45 percent compared with the second quarter and 15 percent year-on-year. September was the busiest month, with enquiries rising 31 percent compared with the same month in 2025.

The report linked underlying housing demand to Dubai’s expanding population, which reached 4,807,185 residents on September 29, an increase of 226,885 since the beginning of the year, according to figures from the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment.

However, betterhomes noted that its enquiry figures do not distinguish between new arrivals and existing residents looking to move homes.

Despite strong rental interest, rents became more competitive across several Dubai communities. Between June and September, median apartment rents per square foot declined 3.8 percent, while villa and townhouse rents fell 2.3 percent.

Jacob Bramley, Leasing Manager at betterhomes, said the combination of rising enquiries and easing rental prices reflects changing market conditions.

“September brought the highest level of leasing enquiries we have recorded, while rents became more competitive in parts of the market,” Bramley said.

He added that landlords need to price properties realistically to attract tenants, while renters have greater opportunities to compare available homes before renewing or relocating.

Buyer enquiries rebound

Betterhomes also recorded a 27 percent increase in sales enquiries in September compared with August, significantly exceeding the 5 percent month-on-month increases recorded during the same period in both 2024 and 2025.

Although overall quarterly sales enquiries remained below the previous year’s levels, the September increase indicated renewed buyer interest towards the end of the third quarter.

Looking ahead, the brokerage expects pricing, property type and location to play an increasingly important role in determining market performance. The report suggests that well-priced properties in established communities are likely to attract stronger interest as Dubai’s residential market moves into the final quarter of 2026.