Dubai off-plan property sales hit record high as developers fast-track projects

Off-plan property sales in Dubai rose to an all-time high in the third quarter of 2025, with 42,000 units sold and transaction values reaching AED 138 billion, according to consultancy Cavendish Maxwell.

The figure marks a 24 per cent increase year-on-year and means off-plan properties now make up three-quarters of all residential transactions in the city. The surge comes as developers shorten construction timelines to meet surging demand, with the average project cycle falling to 880 days from 1,340 in 2023, the report said.

“Developers are responding to the market by compressing build times and launching more projects at every price point,” the report noted. “This pace of activity underlines strong demand but also raises questions about delivery capacity and long-term sustainability.”

Cavendish Maxwell said 9,400 new homes were completed in Q3, slightly below earlier forecasts, but the delivery pipeline through 2028 has expanded to 366,000 units.

The report added that average home prices rose 16 per cent year-on-year, while rents climbed 11 per cent, with signs that rental inflation is starting to ease after two years of steep increases.

Sales of luxury homes worth over AED 50 million reached AED 5.9 billion during the quarter, reflecting continued appetite from ultra-wealthy buyers.

The strong off-plan momentum underscores investor confidence in Dubai’s real estate sector, which continues to benefit from population growth, long-term visa reforms and strong inflows of foreign capital.

Cavendish Maxwell said demand is expected to remain firm into 2026, although a large pipeline of upcoming projects could gradually balance supply and pricing over the next two years.

This article was originally published in Arabian Business.