Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-09-17
Dubai’s property market demonstrated strong momentum this week with daily transaction volumes exceeding AED 3.7 billion and a 177% surge in retail off-plan sales in H1 2026. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s residential sector recorded a 9% quarter-on-quarter rebound in transactions, signaling a selective recovery despite broader economic headwinds.
Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-09-17
Top developments
Dubai daily transactions surge to AED 3.75bn on Monday
On Monday, September 14, 2026, Dubai’s real estate market recorded AED 3.75 billion in total transactions across 1,077 deals, according to the "Dubai Rest" application data reported by Al Khaleej. This figure highlights the sustained high-velocity activity in the emirate’s secondary and off-plan markets. The volume underscores the robustness of the Dubai Land Department’s records, showing that despite global volatility, local demand remains resilient and transaction density is maintaining peak levels observed earlier in the year
Retail off-plan sales jump 177% to AED 3.8bn in H1 2026
Data released this week reveals that Dubai’s retail real estate sales surged by 177% year-on-year to reach AED 3.8 billion in the first half of 2026, with transaction volumes rising by 56%. While buyer sentiment remains bullish, particularly for off-plan commercial units, new lease agreements fell sharply, indicating a divergence between investment appetite and operational tenant demand. This trend suggests that capital is flowing into ownership structures rather than immediate occupancy, a key metric for developers like Emaar and Damac assessing future retail supply absorption
Saudi residential transactions rebound 9% in Q2 2026
Saudi Arabia’s residential property market showed signs of recovery in the second quarter of 2026, with transaction values rising by 9% quarter-on-quarter to SAR 41.9 billion. The number of deals increased to 45,740, driven by renewed momentum in housing units and land sectors. This "selective recovery" indicates that while affordability pressures persist, the market is stabilizing from previous corrections, with Riyadh and other major hubs seeing renewed investor confidence following regulatory clarifications on foreign ownership
New off-plan launches: Binghatti Starfall and Dugasta projects
Developer activity continued this week with Binghatti launching "Starfall," a 543-unit residential tower in Jaddaf, Dubai, aimed at expanding its portfolio in mid-market segments. Simultaneously, Dugasta Properties unveiled two new projects, "Al Haseen 6" in Dubai Industrial City and "Garden Living" in Liwan, comprising 456 apartments with delivery dates extending to 2028. These launches reflect the ongoing pipeline pressure as developers compete to capture demand in affordable and mid-tier segments amidst rising construction costs
Abu Dhabi introduces new off-plan mortgage framework
Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector received a boost with the introduction of a new off-plan mortgage framework designed to enhance clarity for buyers and developers. This regulatory update aims to strengthen investor confidence and streamline transactional activity, aligning Abu Dhabi’s financial instruments more closely with Dubai’s mature lending environment. The move is expected to stimulate secondary market liquidity and support the completion of large-scale developments in the capital
Local view
Local Arabic media outlets such as Al Khaleej and Al Bayan have focused heavily on the daily transaction records provided by the Dubai Land Department, highlighting the consistency of multi-billion dirham daily volumes. Al Bayan reported on a new study by "Deluxe Avenues" research, which mapped the shifting geography of luxury residential sales, noting that while Palm Jumeirah remains dominant, new luxury corridors are emerging in areas like Dubai Creek Harbour. Meanwhile, Al Youm featured opinion pieces analyzing the International Property Show (IPS) 2026, noting that developer announcements at the event signaled a shift towards quality over quantity in new launches, with a focus on sustainable and community-centric designs
Context & numbers
- Dubai Daily Volume (Sept 14): AED 3.75 billion across 1,077 transactions
- Dubai Daily Volume (Sept 16): AED 2.0 billion across 570 transactions, indicating a typical mid-week slowdown
- Retail Off-Plan Sales (H1 2026): AED 3.8 billion (+177% YoY)
- Saudi Residential Transactions (Q2 2026): SAR 41.9 billion (+9% QoQ); 45,740 deals
- Ajman Exhibition Deals: AED 226 million recorded on the third day of the Ajman Real Estate Investment Exhibition 2026
On the radar
- Knight Frank Saudi Market Report: Local media are closely watching Knight Frank’s latest analysis, which suggests a slowdown in residential buying but an acceleration in land sales in KSA, potentially signaling a shift in developer strategy toward land banking ahead of Vision 2030 milestones
- Q3 Data Release: Investors are awaiting the ValuStrat Price Index update for Q3 2026, which will clarify whether the "moderation" seen in Q1 has evolved into a price correction or stabilized growth.
- Golden Visa Thresholds: Market chatter continues regarding potential adjustments to the AED 2 million Golden Visa threshold, with some analysts suggesting a move toward "value-added" criteria rather than just price-based entry, though no official policy change has been announced this week.
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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