Abu Dhabi to deliver 8,000 homes this year as real estate sales hit AED20.5bn

A further 12,800 new homes are scheduled for handover in Abu Dhabi in in 2026
Average apartment prices rose nearly 15 per cent year on year in Q3, with Yas Island and Al Reem Island recording the biggest gains. 

Abu Dhabi’s residential market is set for a significant supply boost, with 8,000 new homes scheduled for delivery by the end of 2025, according to the latest report from real estate consultancy Cavendish Maxwell. Strong demand has continued to push property prices and rents higher, reinforcing the emirate’s resilient real estate outlook.

The consultancy added that a further 12,800 homes are planned for handover in 2026, though actual completions may fall below projections based on historical delivery patterns. In the first nine months of 2025, around 2,700 apartments, villas and townhouses were completed.

Supply Pipeline Expands as Developers Pace Handovers

Beyond 2026, Abu Dhabi has 12,400 units planned for 2027 and 21,400 for 2028, although developers are expected to stagger delivery timelines to avoid oversupply.

“Recent trends show that completed units may be lower than planned over the next few years,” said Andrew Laver, Associate Director at Cavendish Maxwell. “A phased delivery strategy ensures the market can absorb new stock without disruption.”

Off-Plan Transactions Continue to Dominate Market Activity

Residential sales remained strong in Q3 2025, with more than 6,400 transactions recorded across apartments, villas and townhouses.

Key highlights:

5,100 apartment sales driven largely by young professionals and smaller families

8.3% quarterly increase in villa and townhouse sales

0.3% annual rise in villa/townhouse transactions despite limited new launches

AED20.5bn total sales value between July and September

AED16.3bn generated from off-plan deals

Off-plan activity continues to outpace ready-unit sales, reflecting strong investor confidence and attractive payment plans.

Prices and Rents Record Double-Digit Growth in Key Zones

The report shows:

Apartment prices up nearly 15% YoY in Q3

Strongest price gains recorded on Yas Island and Al Reem Island

Villa prices up nearly 12% YoY, led by demand on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island

Apartment rents up 14.2% on average, reaching 25% growth on Yas Island

Villa rents up 5.1% amid stable demand and limited supply

Market Supported by Investor Appetite & Economic Expansion

Laver noted that Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector continues to benefit from:

Robust investor demand

Expanding population

Diversified economic growth

Rising popularity of large master-planned communities

“The market is expected to remain resilient,” he said. “Both sales and rental prices are likely to rise further, though the pace will vary by location as new supply enters.”
Source: ArabianBusiness