Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-09-08

Top developments

Dubai sees first annual price drop since 2021

Data released on September 8, 2026, confirms that Dubai’s residential sales prices fell by 1.7% year-on-year in August, marking the first annual decline since 2021. Transaction values dropped 24% in the first eight months of the year, signaling a shift from a boom phase to a more measured market. This cooling trend is attributed to a combination of increased supply and regional geopolitical uncertainties, which have tempered investor enthusiasm despite strong fundamental demand.

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Emaar founder Alabbar predicts "nice balance" for 2027

Speaking at the AIM Congress on September 7, 2026, Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar forecasted that Dubai’s property market would reach a "nice balance" in 2027. He noted that while prices could fall an additional 5–10% due to the ongoing Iran war uncertainty and increased supply, the market fundamentals remain intact. Alabbar emphasized that Emaar remains strong without offering discounts, focusing instead on completing its pipeline of projects to meet demand without triggering a crash.

DAMAC hits 50,000 home handover milestone

DAMAC Properties announced on September 4, 2026, that it has achieved the handover of over 50,000 homes, with more than 55,000 units currently in its pipeline. The developer awarded $2.72 billion in construction contracts in the first half of 2026, underscoring its commitment to delivering its targeted 8,800-plus handovers for the full year. This massive delivery volume contributes significantly to the supply pressure observed in the Dubai market this quarter.

Saudi Arabia adjusts foreign ownership ceilings

Saudi Arabia is moving into a new phase for its real estate market by raising ownership ceilings, according to reports from September 7, 2026. This regulatory adjustment aims to boost foreign investment appetite while ensuring that foreign ownership stakes remain within strategic limits. The move is part of broader efforts to stabilize the housing market in Riyadh and other major cities, balancing local affordability needs with international capital inflows.

Local view

Local media outlets are closely monitoring the impact of the new supply wave on transaction volumes. Al-Bayan reported that Dubai Land Department transactions reached AED 9.8 billion in a single week (ending early September), driven by 3,374 deals. Meanwhile, Masdarak highlighted that developer sales in Dubai totaled $4.4 billion in August 2026, indicating that despite the price correction, liquidity remains high among developers like DAMAC and Emaar.

Context & numbers

• Dubai Residential Prices: Down 1.7% YoY in August 2026; first annual decline since 2021.
• Transaction Values: Fell 24% in the first eight months of 2026 compared to previous periods.
• Weekly DLD Data: AED 9.8 billion in transactions across 3,374 deals in one week of early September.
• Developer Sales: August 2026 new project sales reached $4.4 billion.
• Saudi Mortgage Securities: The Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company is preparing to issue SAR 431.3 million ($114.9 million) in mortgage-backed securities.

On the radar

• City Walk Crestlane Construction: Meraas awarded a $160.8 million contract on September 7, 2026, for the third phase of City Walk Crestlane, adding 394 apartments to the pipeline.
• Abu Dhabi Launch: Aldar Properties unveiled "Sei Saadiyat" on September 7, 2026, introducing new residential offerings in the Saadiyat Cultural District.
• Luxury Segment Resilience: Despite the broader cooling, the ultra-luxury segment remains robust, evidenced by a Dh260 million villa sale on Palm Jumeirah at the start of September.