Dubai: Dubai developers have largely maintained off-plan property prices in 2026, with only a small share of projects recording significant price reductions as sales volumes and absorption rates adjust, according to an analysis by fäm Properties.
Most Projects Retain Original Launch Prices
Of the 717 off-plan projects launched since July 2023, 44 have reduced prices by at least 5 per cent since the end of February. Only 28 projects, equivalent to around 4 per cent, are currently selling below their original launch prices.
The first price reductions identified in fäm Properties’ analysis were recorded in June. The company said pricing decisions have been influenced by conditions in individual areas, while Dubai’s property market has remained resilient despite geopolitical developments in recent months.
Among 574 projects launched since 2025, the median project was priced 4.2 per cent above the median price in its local area and had sold 73.8 per cent of its units.
By comparison, projects priced at least 20 per cent above their local area median recorded median sales absorption of 60 per cent.
Studio Apartment Sales Rise
Registered developer apartment sales during the first eight months of 2026 reached 62,147, representing a 6 per cent decline compared with the same period in 2025.
However, sales trends differed significantly by apartment type. Studio sales increased 26 per cent to 21,728, while one-bedroom sales declined 18 per cent. Two-bedroom sales fell 16 per cent and three-bedroom sales decreased 13 per cent.
Dubai South was a major contributor to the rise in studio transactions, with sales increasing 185 per cent to 11,147 during the first eight months of the year.
Pricing Increasingly Influences Sales
Firas Al Msaddi, Founder and CEO of fäm Properties, said pricing is becoming increasingly important in determining how quickly projects sell out.
“Developers have generally been reluctant to reduce their headline prices,” Al Msaddi said, adding that a project’s position relative to comparable properties is increasingly affecting its sales performance.
He said more than nine out of 10 projects have retained their original launch pricing, suggesting that market adjustments have been more visible through sales volumes and absorption rates rather than widespread price cuts.
Location and Pricing Matter
As developers compete across a growing number of projects and locations, the relationship between pricing and sales absorption has become more significant.
According to fäm Properties, projects priced closer to prevailing market levels are recording higher median sales absorption than developments carrying a substantial premium over comparable properties in their local areas.
