30 October 2026
Dubai recorded about AED 141.4 billion in property sales and mortgage transactions in the third quarter of 2026, according to the UAE Market Research Report Q3 2026 by Windmills Group. Of this, AED 93 billion came from sales across 37,450 transactions and AED 48.3 billion from mortgages, which the report rounds to AED 49 billion and describes as matching the same quarter of 2025. Ready properties accounted for 63.4% of transactions, apartment rental yields reached 7.7% and office yields 8.2%. Windmills published the report in October 2026, and Khaleej Times reported its findings on 29 October 2026.
The headline numbers for Q3 2026
The AED 141.4 billion total combines two streams: sales registered in the quarter and mortgage transactions. Sales of AED 93 billion break down by segment as follows, according to the report:
- residential: 35,236 transactions worth AED 73.2 billion;
- land: 680 transactions worth AED 13.3 billion;
- commercial: 1,484 transactions worth AED 5.6 billion.
By property type, apartments led with 31,101 transactions worth AED 48.6 billion, followed by villas and townhouses with 4,161 transactions worth AED 24.6 billion. Windmills notes that market activity moderated during the quarter and that year-on-year performance declined, while land and commercial transactions grew compared with the second quarter of 2026.
Mortgage activity held steady. The report counts about 12,000 mortgage transactions in Q3 2026, the same as in Q3 2024 and slightly below the 13,000 recorded in Q3 2025. For a broader picture of the year, see our earlier reports on ready apartment sales in Q3 2026 and commercial property sales in 2026.
Ready properties lead the market
Ready properties accounted for 63.4% of property transactions in the Windmills dataset, against 36.6% for off-plan, a gap of 26.8 percentage points. The report links this to demand for immediate occupancy and rental income, while off-plan projects kept their appeal through flexible payment plans.
Prices explain part of the shift. According to Windmills, the average price of ready property rose by 81% between 2020 and 2026, from AED 813 to AED 1,471 per square foot. Off-plan prices grew by 25% over the same period, from AED 1,431 to AED 1,791 per square foot. As a result, the off-plan premium narrowed to AED 320 per square foot in 2026, down from a peak of AED 618 in 2020.
Rental yields by property type
The report puts gross rental yields in Dubai for 2026 at the following levels:
| Asset | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Apartments | 7.7% | 7.5% |
| Villas | 7.0% | 6.8% |
| Shops | 8.5% | n/a |
| Offices | 8.2% | n/a |
Bilal Moti, Chairman and CEO of Windmills Group, said that with apartment yields at 7.7% and commercial yields above 8%, Dubai offers income returns that few global cities can match, and that the conversation is shifting from quick gains to sustainable, long-term income.
Where the deals happened
Five communities led the quarter by activity. Together they accounted for 12,786 transactions worth about AED 20 billion:
- Dubai South: 5,219 transactions worth AED 6.4 billion;
- Business Bay: 2,533 transactions worth AED 3.6 billion;
- Wadi Al Safa 4: 1,978 transactions worth AED 4.3 billion;
- Al Barsha South Fourth: 1,540 transactions worth AED 3.4 billion;
- Palm Jumeirah: 1,516 transactions worth AED 2.3 billion.
Deal size: mass market and ultra-luxury
Excluding mortgages, properties priced below AED 3 million made up 84% of cash sales: 40% below AED 1 million, 31% between AED 1 million and AED 2 million, and 13% between AED 2 million and AED 3 million. Properties from AED 3 million to AED 5 million made up 9% of deals and those above AED 5 million 7%.
At the top end, deals above AED 30 million represented about 1% of non-mortgaged transactions but generated AED 36.5 billion, or 26% of the AED 141.4 billion total value.
Beyond residential: industrial and hospitality
The report also covers other segments. Industrial rents stayed above 2025 levels through the year, supported by logistics, e-commerce and a shortage of modern warehouse space. Hotel occupancy rose from 36% in March to 66% in August 2026, and Dubai welcomed 6.97 million international overnight visitors between January and August.
What this means for buyers and companies
For a business owner or investor in the UAE, the report gives a set of reference points rather than a rule change. Nothing in the registration, financing or visa process changed with this publication. Before a purchase it is worth checking:
- whether the property is ready or off-plan, and what that means for rental income and payment schedule;
- the actual rent and service charges for the specific unit, not the market average yield;
- financing: down payment, bank requirements and loan term, which our guide to mortgages in the UAE for residents and non-residents explains step by step;
- a UAE bank account for payments and rent collection, if you do not have one yet;
- whether the purchase price reaches AED 2 million, the threshold for a property based Golden Visa application;
- whether to hold the property personally or through a company, which affects documents, banking and accounting.
How Atlant Capital can help
We help clients with the corporate and banking side of a property purchase in Dubai. We prepare mortgage applications and work with banks through our mortgage assistance service. We set up holding or operating companies through our company setup service, open personal and corporate accounts with bank account opening support, and prepare residence applications, including the UAE Golden Visa for property owners. We do not act as a real estate broker and do not give investment advice on specific units.
Conclusion
Windmills Group puts Dubai’s Q3 2026 sales and mortgage transactions at AED 141.4 billion, with AED 93 billion in sales and about AED 49 billion in mortgages. Ready properties took 63.4% of transactions, apartment yields reached 7.7% and office yields 8.2%, while deals above AED 30 million generated 26% of total value. Dubai South, Business Bay and Palm Jumeirah were among the most active communities.
Source: Khaleej Times, Windmills Group, UAE Market Research Report Q3 2026.
FAQ
What was the value of Dubai real estate transactions in Q3 2026?
According to Windmills Group, Dubai recorded about AED 141.4 billion in sales and mortgage transactions in Q3 2026. Sales accounted for AED 93 billion across 37,450 transactions and mortgages for AED 48.3 billion, which the report rounds to AED 49 billion.
What are rental yields in Dubai in 2026?
Windmills Group puts gross apartment yields at 7.7% in 2026, up from 7.5% in 2025, and villa yields at 7.0%, up from 6.8%. Commercial yields are higher: 8.5% for shops and 8.2% for offices.
Do ready or off-plan properties dominate Dubai sales?
In Q3 2026 ready properties accounted for 63.4% of transactions in the Windmills dataset and off-plan for 36.6%. Ready prices rose 81% since 2020 to AED 1,471 per square foot, which narrowed the off-plan premium to AED 320 per square foot.
Which Dubai areas had the most property deals in Q3 2026?
Dubai South led with 5,219 transactions worth AED 6.4 billion, followed by Business Bay with 2,533 transactions. Wadi Al Safa 4, Al Barsha South Fourth and Palm Jumeirah completed the top five, with 12,786 transactions worth about AED 20 billion in total.
