Dubai Off-Plan Market Soars - Now 75% of Q3 Property Sales

Metropolitan Premium Properties (MPP), one of the UAE’s largest and most trusted real estate agencies, has reported another milestone quarter for Dubai’s property market, driven by exceptional off-plan performance and continued investor confidence.

Off-plan (primary) transactions accounted for 75.3% of all property sales, an increase of 26.4% compared to Q3 2024, reflecting the ongoing strength of developer-led activity across the city. Off-plan (primary) transactions reached AED 96 billion, marking a 21.9% increase year-on-year, while overall prices (off-plan and resale) climbed to a total of AED 134 billion.

Apartments accounted for the most off-plan transactions, with Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and Business Bay leading activity. Waterfront areas such as La Mer, Jumeirah, and Dubai Water Canal achieved the highest average price, underscoring investor appetite for premium, lifestyle-focused projects.

The Q3 off plan growth may have been driven by several incentivizing factors including the offering of limited-time discounts by developers, flexible payment plans, and higher agent commissions.

“Dubai’s off-plan sector continues to outperform expectations and remains a cornerstone of the city’s real estate momentum,” said Nikita Kuznetsov, CEO, Metropolitan Premium Properties. “Developers are responding with innovative projects and flexible payment structures that appeal to both international investors and local end-users. The sustained demand for off-plan apartments highlights growing confidence in Dubai’s long-term market fundamentals and its role as a global real estate hub.”

While the off-plan segment dominates, the resale market in Q3 2025 showed a different dynamic, with 84% of transactions for ready properties and 16% for off-plan resales. Overall, resale transactions fell by 10.7% year-on-year, while average prices rose 11.3% to AED 1,656 per sq. ft. a sign of a maturing, end-user-driven market. Buyers are increasingly holding onto properties longer as Dubai’s population grows, and ready homes in established communities gain value.

In Q3 2025, 97% of villa resale transactions were for ready-to-move-in properties, underscoring a strong preference among end users for immediate occupancy. Villas on the Palm Jumeirah saw resale prices per square foot jump 18.7%, while Arabian Ranches 3 rose 20% and The Springs saw a 17.4% increase. In emerging districts, Town Square apartments surged 25.1%, and Dubai South recorded an 18.8% rise in resale prices for apartments.

Nikita Kuznetsov added: “We’re seeing clear market segmentation with off-plan dominating new supply and investor activity, while ready villas and townhouses are becoming increasingly limited and valuable. This dual strength across sectors reinforces Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most resilient and diversified real estate markets.”

Average rental rates also continued to rise, increasing 8.8% year-on-year to AED 83 per sq. ft., even as total rental transactions eased slightly by 4.2%, suggesting longer lease durations and high tenant retention.