Dubai’s real estate landscape saw a notable shift in October 2026, as transactions for ready residential properties reached a monthly peak of Dh10.1 billion. According to data from Cavendish Maxwell, this represents a significant 20 percent increase in sales volume compared to September, totaling 3,702 completed unit transactions. While off-plan properties still hold the majority share of the market, ready homes accounted for 36 percent of all residential activity, signaling a resilient demand for move-in-ready units amidst a broader market cooling.

Despite this monthly uptick, the wider property sector is still navigating a period of adjustment. Total residential sales for the month—encompassing both ready and off-plan assets—dipped to Dh25.35 billion, with off-plan transactions specifically declining by 6.4 percent. Ronan Arthur, Director at Cavendish Maxwell, attributed this trend to a deliberate slowdown in new project launches as developers adopt a more cautious approach. While the long-term fundamentals of the Dubai property market remain robust, the combination of cyclical corrections and global uncertainty is expected to shape the industry's performance in the coming months.