Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-09-18
Dubai’s real estate market continues to show resilience with strong weekly transaction volumes exceeding AED 3.7 billion and a surge in retail property sales. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s residential sector recorded a 9% quarterly rebound in transaction values, signaling a gradual recovery despite lingering affordability pressures.
Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-09-18
Dubai retail sales surge 177% driven by off-plan demand
In the first half of 2026, Dubai’s retail real estate sales volume jumped 177% to reach AED 3.8 billion, while the number of transactions increased by 56%. This growth was largely fueled by off-plan purchases, although new lease signings fell sharply, indicating that while investors remain bullish on capital appreciation, end-users are adopting a cautious approach to leasing commitments. This divergence highlights a market where investment appetite outpaces immediate operational demand.
Dubai weekly transactions hit AED 3.75 billion
Dubai’s property market maintained robust momentum in mid-September, recording AED 3.75 billion in transactions across 1,077 deals on Monday, September 14, according to data from the "Dubai Rest" app. This strong start to the week follows a similar trend from earlier in September, where daily transactions exceeded AED 2.7 billion. The consistent high-volume activity suggests sustained buyer interest, particularly in off-plan segments, which continue to dominate the sales mix.
Saudi residential transactions rebound 9% in Q2
Saudi Arabia’s residential real estate sector saw a 9% quarter-on-quarter increase in transaction value, reaching SAR 41.9 billion in Q2 2026. The number of deals rose to 45,740, marking a gradual recovery from earlier lows. While this represents a positive quarterly shift, analysts note that annual figures still reflect a decline, driven by ongoing affordability challenges and regional economic uncertainties.
Prestige One plans eight new projects in Dubai
Developer Prestige One Developments announced plans to launch up to eight residential and commercial projects in Dubai during 2026 and 2027, with total investments exceeding $1 billion. This expansion aligns with broader developer confidence in the emirate’s long-term demand, despite warnings about rising supply. The projects aim to cater to both local and international investor segments, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a hub for large-scale private development.
Local view
Local Arabic media highlights a narrative of resilience amidst global tensions. Al Khaleej reported that developers maintain that regional tensions have not shaken Dubai’s property market, with projects continuing uninterrupted and strong levels of activity recorded.
Emarat Al Youm noted that the recent International Property Show (IPS 2026) served as a bellwether for market sentiment, with developers announcing new projects and signaling continued momentum. The outlet emphasized that market movement often tells a clearer story than raw numbers alone, suggesting a healthy pipeline of launches.
Context & numbers
The Dubai Land Department’s open data portal continues to be a primary source for real-time transaction tracking, reflecting the emirate's digital-first approach to real estate governance.
In Saudi Arabia, the "Amlak" platform reported that while Q2 saw a seasonal improvement, the underlying trend shows a year-on-year decline in residential transactions, with prices rising modestly by 3%. This indicates a market stabilizing at higher price points but with reduced liquidity compared to previous years.
On the radar
- IPS 2026 Post-Mortem: Industry watchers are closely monitoring follow-up announcements from developers who unveiled new masterplans at the recent International Property Show in Dubai.
- Saudi Foreign Ownership Rollout: Stakeholders are awaiting further clarifications on the implementation of the new foreign ownership laws in Riyadh, which are expected to impact high-end luxury segments specifically.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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