Majority of Dubai Homes Under Construction Already Sold as Demand Keeps Pace with Supply

The majority of residential properties currently under construction in Dubai have already been sold, highlighting continued demand for homes ahead of completion, according to a new market analysis by fäm Properties.

The report found that 564,072 residential properties are currently under construction across Dubai, with most expected to be handed over by 2028. Of these, 425,863 properties, or 75.5 per cent, have already been sold.

Apartments account for the largest share of the pipeline, with 367,514 of 495,775 units sold, representing an absorption rate of 74.1 per cent. Villas recorded an even higher rate, with 58,349 of 68,297 units sold, equivalent to 85.4 per cent.

Strong Demand for Homes Due in 2026

The report also points to particularly strong demand for properties scheduled for completion this year.

Of the 96,585 homes due to be delivered in 2026, 80,127, or 82.9 per cent, have already been sold. Apartments have recorded an absorption rate of 82 per cent, while villas have reached 95 per cent.

Data from DXBinteract shows that some communities have achieved complete absorption for homes scheduled for handover this year.

Apartments in Al Wasl, comprising 637 units, have recorded a 100 per cent absorption rate. Villas scheduled for delivery in Wadi Al Safa 5, Nad Al Sheba First and Al Hebiah Sixth, comprising 854, 235 and 476 units respectively, have also reached 100 per cent absorption.

Demand remains strong in some of Dubai's established residential destinations. Of the 2,397 apartments due for delivery on Palm Jumeirah this year, 93.5 per cent have already been sold, while 92.8 per cent of 2,324 apartments scheduled for handover at Jumeirah Lakes Towers have been sold.

Investors Continue to Buy Before Completion

Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, said the high absorption rates demonstrate that demand is continuing to keep pace with development.

He said the willingness of investors to purchase properties before completion reflects confidence in Dubai, its regulatory framework and the quality of projects being delivered by developers.

Al Msaddi also highlighted Dubai's population, which he said has surpassed 4.58 million, as well as the city's population of more than 80,000 millionaires, as factors supporting its appeal as a destination for residents and investors.

Downtown Dubai and Business Bay Record Strong Absorption

Several major Dubai communities are also recording high sales rates among properties currently under construction.

In Downtown Dubai, 92.2 per cent of 6,248 apartments under construction have already been sold. Among the 3,981 apartments scheduled for handover in 2026, the absorption rate is even higher at 96.6 per cent.

In Business Bay, 82.8 per cent of 30,317 apartments under construction have been sold. The proportion rises to 88.7 per cent among the 16,938 apartments due for delivery this year.

Other communities with high absorption rates for apartments under construction include Ras Al Khor, where 93.5 per cent of 6,950 units have been sold, and Al Barsha South 2, where 85 per cent of 12,655 units have been sold.

Villa Demand Remains Particularly Strong

Villas continue to record some of the highest absorption rates across Dubai's residential development pipeline.

Al Hebiah Fifth has recorded an absorption rate of 98.7 per cent across 2,060 villas under construction, followed by Nad Al Sheba First at 98.2 per cent of 1,569 villas.

Other communities recording strong villa absorption include Wadi Al Safa 5, at 96.4 per cent of 8,216 units; Dubai South, at 94.5 per cent of 5,698 units; and Al Yufrah, where 94.7 per cent of 6,429 villas have already been sold.

The figures indicate that a substantial proportion of Dubai's future residential supply is already committed to buyers before completion, suggesting that demand continues to remain strong across both apartment and villa segments.