75.5% of Dubai's under-construction properties sold amid strong demand for villas

Recent data reveals the continued strong demand for off-plan properties in Dubai, with 75.5% of the units under development already sold, indicating the market's ability so far to absorb a large portion of new residential projects before their completion.

According to a market analysis by fäm Properties, around 564,072 residential units are currently under construction across Dubai, most of which are scheduled for delivery by 2028, while 425,863 units have already been sold.

Villas record a sales rate exceeding 85%

The data shows variation in absorption rates between types of properties, with villas seeing higher demand compared to apartments. This provides an important indicator for buyers comparing villas for sale in Dubai with other residential projects.

Out of 68,297 villas under construction, 58,349 have been sold, raising the absorption rate to 85.4%.

As for apartments, which make up the largest portion of the supply under development in Dubai, their number stands at 495,775, with 367,514 units sold, resulting in an absorption rate of 74.1%.

These figures indicate that the increase in new projects does not necessarily mean an accumulation of unsold inventory, as a large percentage of units have been absorbed while still under development.

82.9% of Dubai properties scheduled for delivery in 2026 are sold

Sales rates appear higher when looking at projects closer to delivery.

Out of 96,585 residential units expected to be delivered in 2026, 80,127 units have been sold, equivalent to 82.9% of the supply.

The percentage is even higher in the villa sector, with about 95% of 5,376 villas scheduled for delivery during the year already sold, compared to an absorption rate of 82% for about 91,209 apartments.

The high percentage of units sold before delivery reflects the continued interest of buyers in this type of property, especially with the phased payment plans and the possibility of entering at an early price before completion. These factors are among the most prominent advantages of investing in off-plan properties in Dubai that investors consider when evaluating such opportunities.

Downtown and Business Bay record high absorption rates

Demand is not limited to Dubai as a whole, as the data shows high sales rates in several key real estate areas.

In Downtown Dubai, about 92.2% of 6,248 apartments under construction have been sold, while the percentage rises to 96.6% for units scheduled for delivery in 2026.

In Business Bay, the percentage of units sold reached about 82.8% out of 30,317 apartments under construction, rising to 88.7% for projects expected to be delivered this year.

Villa communities also recorded high rates, including Dubai South, where the absorption rate of villas under construction reached about 94.5%.

The differences in absorption rates from one area to another highlight the importance of looking at the location's performance itself when evaluating an opportunity, in addition to price, property type, and developer. These are key factors when comparing the best areas in Dubai for real estate investment.

What do these numbers mean for the off-plan property market in Dubai?

The data provides a more accurate picture of the relationship between supply and demand in Dubai's market. The emirate has a large residential development pipeline exceeding half a million units, but more than three-quarters of this supply has already been sold.

The high sales rates in projects closer to delivery, reaching even higher levels in some areas and property types, reflect the continued interest of buyers in acquiring property before construction is complete.

However, high absorption rates do not mean that all projects or areas offer the same investment opportunity. The decision to buy an off-plan property in Dubai remains linked to factors such as project location, purchase price, developer reputation, payment plan, delivery date, and expected return.

For buyers studying available options, comparing off-plan real estate projects in Dubai according to these criteria helps move from reading general market indicators to choosing the project and unit most suitable for their goals and budget.

Read also: Top 10 off-plan projects in Dubai