Updated November 2026. Quick answer: Dubai recorded about 11,610 property sales worth AED 34.1 billion in October 2026, according to Dubai Land Department (DLD) data, up about 15% in value on September. From January to October, all real estate transactions, including mortgages and gifts, reached about AED 625 billion across 181,866 deals. Below: the latest numbers, how a property transaction works step by step, what it costs and how to check transaction data yourself.
Dubai property transactions: latest numbers
| Period | Sales | Value |
|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | About 11,610 | AED 34.1 billion |
| September 2026 | About 11,430 | AED 29.7 billion |
| January to October 2026, all transactions (sales, mortgages, gifts) | 181,866 | About AED 625 billion |
| Full year 2025, all transactions | n/a | About AED 919 billion |
Off-plan sales were still the larger share of the market in October, at a little under 60% of sales. Ready apartment sales rose about 26% on September to AED 5.28 billion across 2,988 deals, with Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) leading by number of sales and Business Bay by value.
Monthly totals differ between sources because some count only residential sales and others include land, commercial units and mortgages. The figures above are DLD sales as reported in early November 2026.
Types of real estate transactions in Dubai
| Type | What it is | Registered as |
|---|---|---|
| Off-plan sale (primary market) | Buying from the developer before or during construction, usually on a payment plan | Oqood (interim register) |
| Ready sale (secondary market) | Buying a completed property from its current owner | Title deed transfer |
| Mortgage | Registering a bank loan against a property | Mortgage registration |
| Gift or inheritance | Transfer between family members or to heirs | Gift or inheritance transfer, at a reduced fee for close relatives |
| Off-plan resale | Selling an off-plan unit before handover | Oqood transfer, needs developer approval |
How a ready property transaction works, step by step
- Agree the price. Buyer and seller agree the price and terms, usually through a RERA-registered agent.
- Sign the MOU (Form F). The standard DLD contract of sale. The buyer normally pays a 10% deposit, held by the agent or the trustee.
- Get the developer NOC. The seller asks the developer for a no-objection certificate, which confirms there are no unpaid service charges.
- Mortgage approval (if the buyer is borrowing). The bank values the property and issues a final offer letter. If the seller has a mortgage, their bank issues a liability letter and is paid off at transfer.
- Transfer at a Real Estate Registration Trustee office. Both parties, or their representatives with a power of attorney, attend. The buyer hands over manager’s cheques for the price and fees.
- New title deed. The DLD issues the title deed in the buyer’s name, usually the same day, as a digital deed.
A cash purchase usually takes 2 to 4 weeks from MOU to transfer. With a mortgage, allow 4 to 8 weeks.
How an off-plan purchase works
- Book the unit with the developer and pay the booking amount.
- Sign the sale and purchase agreement (SPA).
- The developer registers the sale in Oqood and the buyer pays the 4% DLD fee.
- Pay the instalments into the project’s escrow account, following the payment plan.
- At handover, pay the final instalment and receive the title deed.
Read our guides to 1% payment plans and browse off-plan projects in Dubai.
What a property transaction costs in Dubai
| Cost | Typical amount | Who usually pays |
|---|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of the price, plus admin fees | Buyer (negotiable) |
| Title deed issue | About AED 580 | Buyer |
| Trustee office fee | AED 2,000 + VAT (price under AED 500,000) or AED 4,000 + VAT | Buyer |
| Agent commission | Usually 2% + VAT | Buyer (sometimes seller too) |
| Developer NOC | About AED 500 to 5,000, depending on the developer | Seller |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan + about AED 290 | Buyer |
| Bank valuation and arrangement | About AED 2,500 to 3,500 valuation, up to 1% arrangement fee | Buyer |
As a rule of thumb, budget about 7% of the price on top for a cash purchase and about 8 to 9% with a mortgage. Our property calculators work out the numbers for a specific price.
How to check property transactions in Dubai
- DLD open data and the Dubai REST app: search recent sales and rents by area and building, free.
- DXB Interact and similar portals: daily transaction lists, price per square foot and trends, based on DLD data.
- Viewit area pages: each area page shows live average prices per square foot for sale and rent, for example JLT, JVC and Business Bay.
Before you make an offer, compare the asking price with recent sales of similar units in the same building, not just the area average.
Protecting yourself in a transaction
- Deal only with RERA-registered agents and check the broker card number.
- Check the title deed and the seller’s identity, or for off-plan, that the project is registered and has an escrow account.
- Never pay the full price before the transfer. The balance is paid by manager’s cheque at the trustee office.
- Read the SPA or MOU carefully for penalty clauses and deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
How many property transactions were there in Dubai in October 2026?
About 11,610 sales worth AED 34.1 billion, according to DLD data reported in early November 2026.
How long does a property transfer take in Dubai?
The transfer itself happens in one appointment at a trustee office. From signing the MOU, a cash purchase usually takes 2 to 4 weeks and a mortgage purchase 4 to 8 weeks.
What is the DLD fee in Dubai?
4% of the purchase price plus admin fees. It is usually paid by the buyer, but buyer and seller can agree to split it.
Where can I see Dubai property transactions?
On the Dubai Land Department open data pages and the Dubai REST app, which list recent sales and rents by area and building.
What is the difference between Oqood and a title deed?
Oqood is the interim registration for off-plan property. The title deed is issued when the property is completed and handed over.
Figures checked on 9 November 2026. Fees can change, so confirm the current amounts with the Dubai Land Department or your trustee office. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.