Abu Dhabi’s residential property market recorded a strong October, with homebuyers spending nearly AED 13 billion on housing as demand for villas, townhouses and premium communities continued to rise.
A total of 2,809 residential properties were sold for AED 12.97 billion during the month, representing a 30 per cent increase in sales value compared with September and a 35 per cent rise year-on-year, according to Springfield Properties’ latest report, based on data from the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).
The figures point to growing interest in the emirate’s residential market, particularly in newly developed communities offering waterfront living, spacious homes and lifestyle amenities.
Across the broader property sector, including land and commercial assets, transactions reached AED 14.31 billion in October.
Hudayriyat Island Leads Abu Dhabi’s Off-Plan Market
Hudayriyat Island emerged as Abu Dhabi’s leading off-plan destination in October, recording 603 property sales worth AED 4.46 billion.
The island’s Hudayriyat Golf Estates development was the month’s top-performing residential project, generating AED 3.64 billion across 542 transactions.
Al Reem Island followed with 260 off-plan transactions, narrowly ahead of Yas Island, which recorded 259 sales.
Other high-value destinations included Al Rahah (Yas Canal), where sales reached AED 1.17 billion, and Ramhan Island, which recorded AED 897 million.
Among developers, Modon led the off-plan market with AED 4.53 billion in sales, followed by Aldar with AED 1.50 billion and Ohana Development with AED 1.15 billion. Together, the three developers accounted for more than 70 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s developer off-plan residential sales value.
Villas and Townhouses Drive Buyer Demand
Larger homes were a significant force behind October’s market performance, with villas and townhouses accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the value of developer off-plan home sales.
Of the 1,980 developer off-plan transactions recorded during the month, 1,142 involved villas and townhouses.
Demand for higher-priced properties also strengthened. Homes priced above AED 5 million accounted for 29 per cent of developer off-plan transactions, compared with 19 per cent a year earlier.
The average developer off-plan sale reached AED 5.04 million, an increase of 44.53 per cent year-on-year, reflecting the growing share of premium properties in the market.
For apartment buyers, average off-plan prices stood at AED 2,337 per square foot, up 10 per cent from October 2025. However, prices declined 4 per cent compared with September.
Farooq Syed, CEO of Springfield Properties, said Abu Dhabi’s diverse residential communities were attracting buyers looking for both lifestyle benefits and long-term investment opportunities.
“Abu Dhabi’s residential market is evolving alongside the emirate’s growing international appeal. Its distinctive combination of waterfront destinations, cultural experiences and family-oriented communities is attracting buyers who value both quality of life and long-term investment,” he said.
Luxury Property Sales Reach AED 1.75 Billion
The emirate’s high-end property segment also recorded significant activity, with 44 residential transactions valued above AED 25 million each, generating a combined AED 1.75 billion.
Nearly all of these transactions involved villas or townhouses, with 43 of the 44 sales falling into those categories.
The most expensive property sold during October was a home at Bada Al Jubail – Phase 2 on Al Jubail Island, which changed hands for AED 100 million.
Nine properties were sold for more than AED 50 million during the month.
Hudayriyat Island led the luxury segment with 25 transactions above AED 25 million, followed by Ramhan Island with seven and Al Jubail Island with four. Forty of the 44 luxury transactions involved off-plan homes sold directly by developers.
Off-Plan Homes Remain the Preferred Choice
Off-plan properties continued to dominate Abu Dhabi’s residential market by sales value.
Developer off-plan sales reached AED 9.99 billion across 1,980 transactions, accounting for 77 per cent of the total value of residential unit sales.
The resale market also recorded substantial growth. Transactions involving existing properties reached AED 2.69 billion across 722 sales, compared with AED 1.63 billion in September and AED 1.55 billion in October 2025.
Of the resale total, AED 1.64 billion came from off-plan resales, while completed homes accounted for AED 1.05 billion.
The figures indicate that market activity extended beyond new developer launches, with existing property owners also benefiting from stronger transaction volumes.
Abu Dhabi’s Residential Market Looks Ahead to 2027
As Abu Dhabi moves towards 2027, buyers are expected to have a wider selection of residential developments and communities as new projects enter the market.
However, the expanding supply of homes is likely to make location, pricing, construction quality and delivery timelines increasingly important considerations for buyers and investors.
Syed said continued investment in infrastructure and well-planned communities was helping strengthen the emirate’s appeal.
“Abu Dhabi’s continued investment in infrastructure, connectivity and thoughtfully planned communities is strengthening its position as a destination to live, work and invest,” he said.
He added that buyers were increasingly considering the wider quality of communities and lifestyles, rather than focusing solely on individual properties.
October’s figures highlight a market increasingly shaped by premium homes and emerging residential destinations. The pace of future growth, however, will depend on how effectively new supply meets buyer demand.
