Abu Dhabi property buyers are shifting to luxury and off-plan homes even as sales volumes decline, according to a Savills Middle East report cited by Khaleej Times. The emirate recorded 6,085 residential transactions worth Dh21.5 billion in the third quarter of 2026.
Abu Dhabi property sales: volume down, value up
Transaction volumes fell 19% from the previous quarter and 7% from a year earlier. However, sales value rose 32% year on year. Savills’ research director said buyers are becoming more selective about location, quality and long-term value.
Luxury and off-plan homes lead the market
Homes priced above Dh10 million recorded 582 transactions, up 104% from a year earlier and 35% from the previous quarter. Off-plan properties made up 95% of those deals. Overall, off-plan sales accounted for 81% of all transactions.
The average off-plan transaction was Dh5 million, up 15% on the quarter and 40% on the year. Ready properties averaged Dh2.8 million.
Prices, foreign buyers and rentals
Average apartment prices reached Dh22,700 per square metre, up 9% year on year. Villas and townhouses averaged Dh18,200 per square metre, up 8%. In addition, resident expatriates and non-resident investors accounted for 70% of residential sales value in the first half of 2026, up from 64% in the same period of 2024.
The rental market also grew. Abu Dhabi recorded 50,500 rental transactions in the third quarter, up 29% from the second quarter, and lease renewals made up 68% of activity.
Looking ahead, about 68,000 more residential units are expected by 2030, mainly on Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, Yas Island and in Zayed City. Savills expects demand to stay supported by economic fundamentals and infrastructure investment.
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