Dubai recorded AED 150.15bn in registered mortgage transactions since the beginning of 2026
Dubai’s property market is demonstrating resilience beyond off-plan sales, with registered mortgage transactions reaching AED 150.15bn during the first nine months of 2026, compared with AED 132.21bn during the same period in 2025.
Representing an increase of approximately 14% year-on-year, the figures highlight the continued importance of property financing despite a sharp decline in off-plan sales activity.
The figures highlight changing transaction patterns across the emirate, with Holo, a UAE-based mortgage platform, pointing to the continued importance of property financing as buyers navigate an evolving market.
Changing dynamics
The changing dynamics are particularly visible in Dubai’s off-plan segment. Sales declined from 14,044 transactions worth AED 28.8bn in September 2025 to 7,157 transactions valued at AED 14.3bn in September 2026, representing a 49% decline in transaction volumes and a 50.5% decrease in value.
Meanwhile, approximately 30,170 mortgage transactions were registered during the first nine months of 2026, with September alone accounting for AED 16.79bn in registered mortgage value.
While off-plan sales have moderated, the continued scale of mortgage activity highlights the importance of financing within Dubai’s property market and suggests that activity across different segments is evolving at different rates.
Assessing affordability
For buyers, these developments place greater emphasis on assessing affordability and long-term financial commitments rather than focusing solely on property prices or market momentum. Mortgage rates, repayment structures and the overall cost of borrowing remain important considerations, particularly as buyers evaluate opportunities across different property segments.
“For buyers, the focus should remain on affordability, financing options and the long-term commitments involved in homeownership, rather than making decisions based on market momentum alone,” noted Michael Hunter, CEO & Co-Founder, Holo.
