Key takeaways
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Resale market surge: Dubai's residential resale market recorded 9,491 transactions worth approximately AED 25 billion ($6.8 billion) in Q3 2026, marking an 18.5% increase from the previous quarter.
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First quarterly rise: The third-quarter figures represent the first quarterly increase in resale transactions since late 2025, according to ValuStrat's Q3 Real Estate Review.
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Affordable homes lead: Homes priced below AED 1 million accounted for about a third of all resale transactions during the period.
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Top performing locations: Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) led resale activity, capturing 12.8% of sales, followed by Business Bay (6%), Dubai Marina (5.3%), and Downtown Dubai (3.8%).
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Off-plan contraction: Sales of off-plan properties fell 10.1% quarter-on-quarter to 24,375 transactions, marking a fourth consecutive quarterly decline and dropping 45.7% year-on-year.
How is Dubai's resale market performing compared to off-plan sales?
Dubai's residential real estate sector is exhibiting a shifting dynamic, with buyers increasingly returning to the ready-home resale market while off-plan demand continues to cool. According to ValuStrat’s Q3 2026 Real Estate Review featured on Zawya, the secondary resale market rebounded during the July-September period with 9,491 transactions totaling approximately AED 25 billion ($6.8 billion). This 18.5% quarter-on-quarter increase marks the first positive quarterly momentum since late 2025.
In contrast, the off-plan segment experienced a prolonged deceleration. Off-plan sales dropped by 10.1% from the second quarter to 24,375 transactions—representing a fourth consecutive quarterly decline and sitting 45.7% lower than the same period in 2025. This divergence points to an uneven recovery, with end-users and investors actively capitalizing on ready properties while off-plan activity contracts.
What key segments and locations are driving secondary market transactions?
The Q3 data highlights specific price points and communities capturing the bulk of buyer interest in the resale market. Properties priced below AED 1 million remained highly sought after, accounting for roughly one-third of all secondary transactions.
Geographically, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) cemented its position as the most active community, driving 12.8% of total resale activity. Business Bay followed with 6%, Dubai Marina with 5.3%, and Downtown Dubai with 3.8%. Despite the rise in transaction volumes, average sale prices in the resale market dipped 4.4% quarter-on-quarter to AED 1,627 per square foot, offering a more accessible entry point for buyers navigating the current market environment.
