Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-09-19
Dubai’s real estate market demonstrated robust weekly activity with AED 14.05 billion in transactions, driven by a surge in retail off-plan sales and continued strength in branded residences. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s residential sector showed signs of recovery with a 9% quarter-on-quarter increase in transaction values, as new foreign ownership rules begin to take effect.
Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-09-19
Top developments
Dubai retail property sales jump 177% in H1 2026
Dubai’s retail property sales value surged 177% year-on-year to AED 3.8 billion ($1.03 billion) in the first half of 2026, with Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) leading the off-plan boom. While transaction volumes rose by 56%, new lease agreements declined, indicating a market where investor appetite for ownership outpaces immediate tenant demand. This divergence highlights the continued dominance of off-plan investment vehicles in Dubai’s commercial sector.
Dubai weekly transactions hit AED 14 billion
Dubai Land Department records show that real estate transactions reached AED 14.05 billion across 3,705 deals in the week ending September 19, 2026. Sales accounted for AED 6.71 billion of this total, reflecting sustained momentum despite earlier concerns about regional tensions. The data underscores the liquidity of the Dubai market, with daily averages remaining well above historical norms for this time of year.
Saudi residential transactions rebound 9% in Q2
Saudi Arabia’s residential property market recorded 45,740 transactions worth SAR 41.9 billion in Q2 2026, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous quarter. This recovery follows a period of adjustment as the Kingdom implements its new framework for foreign property ownership, which officially began accepting applications in June 2026. The uptick suggests that the initial regulatory uncertainty is easing, with local and foreign investors re-engaging in key urban centers like Riyadh.
Abu Dhabi introduces new off-plan mortgage framework
Abu Dhabi has implemented a revised off-plan mortgage framework designed to enhance transparency and bolster investor confidence in the emirate’s property sector. The new regulations aim to provide clearer guidelines for both developers and buyers, addressing previous ambiguities in payment schedules and escrow management. This move is expected to stabilize the Abu Dhabi market, which has been closely tracking Dubai’s growth but seeking distinct regulatory advantages.
Local view
Knight Frank Report Highlights Dubai’s Branded Residence Dominance Local Arabic business outlets, including Masdarak and CNN Business Arabic, are focusing on Knight Frank’s latest data showing Dubai leads the world with 175 active branded residence projects. Of these, 107 are in the pipeline, reinforcing Dubai’s status as the global hub for luxury lifestyle real estate. Stakeholders note that this segment remains resilient against broader market fluctuations, attracting high-net-worth individuals seeking asset diversification beyond standard residential units.
Developers Dismiss Regional Tensions Impact In response to recent geopolitical headlines, major Dubai developers have publicly affirmed that ongoing projects remain unaffected. Al Khaleej newspaper reports that developers emphasize the market's structural strength and continued delivery schedules, countering narratives of a potential slowdown. This messaging aims to sustain buyer confidence in off-plan purchases, which constitute the majority of current sales volume.
Context & numbers
- Dubai Weekly Volume: AED 14.05 billion total transactions; 3,705 deals (Week ending Sept 19, 2026).
- Retail Sales Growth: +177% YoY in value; +56% YoY in volume (H1 2026).
- Saudi Residential Q2: SAR 41.9 billion value; 45,740 transactions (+9% QoQ).
- Branded Residences: Dubai holds 175 active projects globally leading the market.
On the radar
- IPS 2026 Aftermath: Following the International Property Show in mid-September, several mid-tier developers like Dugasta Real Estate have announced new residential launches in Dubai Industrial City and Liwan, targeting the growing demand for larger community layouts.
- Q3 Data Release: Market analysts are awaiting ValuStrat and DLD Q3 2026 indices to confirm if the "moderation" seen in Q1 persists or if the Q2/Q3 momentum indicates a full recovery from the early-year dip.
- Saudi Foreign Ownership Uptake: Early data on the number of approved applications under the new Saudi foreign ownership law is expected to trickle in later this month, providing the first concrete metric on international interest in Riyadh and other eligible zones.
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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