Abu Dhabi home sales reach AED 21.5 billion in third quarter, up 32% by value

Residential property sales in Abu Dhabi reached AED 21.5 billion across 6,085 transactions in the third quarter of 2026, Gulf News reported on 21 October. The number of deals fell 19% from the second quarter and 7% from a year earlier, but total value rose 32% year on year.

Off-plan homes made up 81% of all residential transactions. The average off-plan deal was worth AED 5 million, up 15% on the quarter and 40% on the year, while the average ready home sold for AED 2.8 million.

Luxury sales grew fastest. There were 582 transactions above AED 10 million, up 35% from the previous quarter and 104% from a year earlier, and 95% of them were off-plan. Average apartment prices rose 9% year on year to AED 22,700 per square metre, and villa and townhouse prices rose 8% to AED 18,200 per square metre. On Saadiyat Island, apartments averaged AED 43,100 per square metre, up 21%.

The rental market was busy too, with 50,500 lease registrations in the quarter, 29% more than in the second quarter; 68% were renewals. Foreign buyers, including expatriate residents and overseas investors, accounted for 70% of sales value in the first half of the year.

About 68,000 additional homes are expected by 2030, mainly on Saadiyat, Al Reem and Yas islands and in Zayed City. A property worth AED 2 million can qualify a buyer for a renewable 10-year residence visa.