Abu Dhabi home sales hit record $10.3bn in Q1
The emirate recorded 8,100 residential transactions in the first quarter, with off-plan sales driving activity.
Abu Dhabi recorded its strongest first quarter for residential property sales, with AED38.1 billion ($10.3 billion) worth of deals across 8,100 transactions between January and March 2026.
Total sales values rose more than 211 per cent compared with the same period last year, while transaction volumes climbed nearly 124 per cent.
The figures cover sales before and during heightened geopolitical tensions, with March recording around 2,500 sales, up 127 per cent year-on-year, according to recent data from Cavendish Maxwell.
Data released in the coming months is expected to give a clearer indication of any impact on demand.
Off-plan sales continued to dominate the market, rising 184 per cent year-on-year. Off-plan units accounted for around 90 per cent of sales values and more than 80 per cent of homes sold during the quarter.
The ready market also expanded, with transactions up nearly 15 per cent to 1,500 sales.
Abu Dhabi property market
Andrew Laver, Head of Abu Dhabi at Cavendish Maxwell said “After a record-breaking annual performance in 2025, Abu Dhabi’s residential market opened 2026 with equal momentum, with the best Q1 performance for both transaction volumes and values since records began. However, it is important to remember that it takes several weeks for sales data to be reflected in official figures. Q1 statistics indicate sustained strong market fundamentals, but the coming quarters will be crucial in assessing any impact of geopolitical developments on real estate demand,” Laver said.
“Abu Dhabi’s off-plan sector continues to go from strength to strength, with 6,600 sales in Q1, supported by new project launches and robust demand from domestic and international investors. March alone saw 2,100 off-plan sales – up 208% on March 2025 – despite the month coinciding with Ramadan and Eid, when, historically, market activity slows,” he added.
Around 2,400 new residential units were delivered in Abu Dhabi during the first quarter, taking total stock to 320,300 homes.
A further 13,500 units are expected to be delivered during the rest of 2026, followed by 16,700 homes in 2027 and 25,000 in 2028. Total inventory is projected to reach 373,100 homes by 2028.
Yas Island prices rise
Apartment prices in Abu Dhabi rose more than 17 per cent on average during the first quarter, while villa prices increased almost 11 per cent.
Yas Island recorded the strongest apartment price growth, at almost 20 per cent, followed by Al Reem Island at 19 per cent. Al Raha Beach recorded growth of 17.7 per cent, while Al Reef rose 15.4 per cent.
Villa prices on Yas Island increased more than 15 per cent year-on-year, while Saadiyat Island recorded growth of 12.2 per cent.
Apartment rents rose 10.5 per cent on average across Abu Dhabi, with Yas Island recording the largest increase at nearly 20 per cent. Villa rents rose 4.4 per cent, with Al Reef posting the strongest growth in annual rental fees.
Abu Dhabi apartment sales
Apartments accounted for more than 70 per cent of Abu Dhabi residential sales in the first quarter, with around 5,700 transactions.
That was up 130 per cent compared with the same period last year and 25 per cent higher than the fourth quarter of 2025. Growth was led by the off-plan segment, with apartments also accounting for most new launches.
Villa and townhouse sales reached 2,400 transactions in the first quarter, more than double the number recorded in Q1 2025.
Al Reem Island was the top location for apartment sales, with just under 2,000 transactions, up 224 per cent year-on-year.
Yas Island followed with 1,545 sales, ahead of Saadiyat Island with 720, Khalifa City with 339 and Fahid Island with 272.
Al Hudayriyat Island led villa and townhouse sales with 1,067 transactions.
It was followed by Ramhan Island with 173 sales, Ghantout with 143, Al Shamkhah with 129 and Zayed City with 126.
