Dubai’s Off-Plan Market Hits Record Highs; Apartment Sales Up 35%
Walking through Dubai’s skyline today is like watching a movie in fast-forward: cranes, new launches, families, investors, and global capital all converging on one stage. At Harpreet Real Estate LLC, we’ve seen first hand how the buzz around the Dubai real estate market has turned into something substantial. The latest numbers tell a clear story: the off-plan segment, especially apartments, is surging with apartment sales in the off-plan market rising about 35 % quarter-on-quarter in Q3 2025.
That’s more than just a headline it signals that the Dubai property boom is evolving. As global investors, NRIs, HNW investors in Dubai (including Saudi investors and Indian investors in Dubai) scan their options, this shift offers new pathways. However, for us at Harpreet Real Estate LLC, the message is clear: this is a moment of opportunity but one to approach with clarity, insight and realism.
The Numbers Behind the Surge
Let’s break down what’s really going on in the off-plan segment:
Off-plan apartment sales in Dubai soared by approximately 35 % quarter-on-quarter, recording about 37,980 units sold in Q3 2025.
Off-plan transactions accounted for around 70 % of total sales volume, the highest share seen in three years.
In terms of value, apartments reached around AED 93 billion in total transactions during Q3, up about 14 % quarter-on-quarter, with off-plan holdings at about 81 % of that figure.
Meanwhile, the secondary (already built) market for apartments saw a 17 % decline in value in the same period indicating many buyers are choosing new-launch models over resale.
These numbers tell us two things: one, the appetite for new-build projects is strong. Two, developers who are delivering on product, quality and timing are being rewarded. At Harpreet Real Estate LLC we view off-plan apartments not just as cheaper alternatives, but as strategic plays in a growing market.
Who’s Driving This – HNW Investors, Saudis & Indians in Play
When we talk to clients especially those from Saudi Arabia and India there’s something specific they’re seeking: high-quality assets in globally oriented cities. The appeal of Dubai for HNW investors in Dubai overseas lies in a mix of lifestyle, access, and growth.
High-Net-Worth Investors
Many HNW investors are shifting focus from purely residential homes to investment-oriented apartments in off-plan projects. Why? Because such projects often offer better payment plans, newer amenities, and potential for value uplift before hand-over.
Saudi Investors
For Saudi investors in particular, Dubai presents a nearby yet globally branded arsenal of real-estate opportunity. Cultural affinity, business connectivity, and the tax-friendly environment make Dubai an increasingly natural choice for investment and sometimes relocation.
Indian Investors in Dubai
Indian investors continue to be among the most active foreign buyer groups in Dubai real estate investment. For many, Dubai offers: international schooling for kids, a business gateway, lifestyle uplift and capital growth. The surge in off-plan apartments means more options for entry-level investment (or end-use) for Indian buyers who might previously have focused only on ready properties.
Together, these cohorts fuel the off-plan upswing but as always, quality, location and timing matter.
What’s Fueling Demand Beyond Just New Launches
The off-plan boom is not happening in a vacuum. Several underlying factors amplify its strength.
Visa Reforms & Residency Options
Dubai’s regulatory changes long-term visas, investor residency, resident-friendly policies mean that buying a new apartment isn’t just acquiring a property; it often ties into lifestyle, mobility and future-proofing. This adds an extra layer of appeal for international buyers.
Tax Benefits & Global Positioning
For global investors, the appeal of Dubai real-estate investment is rooted in its global-city credentials: minimal personal taxes, between-countries mobility, world-class infrastructure and political stability. This backdrop creates confidence for off-plan ventures.
Lifestyle and Community Developments
Newer apartment launches often belong to master-planned communities with amenities, green-space, connectivity, schools and entertainment. These lifestyle features increasingly matter to end-users and investors alike. The combination of living and investing appeals to a broader audience.
The Post-Expo Legacy & Infrastructure Growth
The legacy of events like Expo 2020 Dubai and the infrastructure built around them continues to uplift Dubai’s attractiveness. Better transport links, branded neighbourhoods, larger urban-planning schemes all play into the off-plan narrative.
Affordability & Payment Flexibility
Off-plan apartments often come with attractive payment plans lower initial payment, delayed hand-over, and developer-backed incentives. In a market where HNW investors and NRIs are weighing entry strategies, that flexibility matters.
The Scenarios: What the Future Holds for Dubai’s Property Market
At Harpreet Real Estate LLC we believe that this phase gives rise to several possible future scenarios, each with its own set of opportunities and caveats.
Scenario 1 – Sustained Growth in Off-Plan Apartments
If demand remains strong, and developers deliver on schedule, off-plan apartment values might continue upward. For global investors, especially those entering now via Indian or Saudi capital markets, this may remain a compelling entry window.
Scenario 2 – Cooling or Correction Begins in Some Segments
However, not all segments are equal. Villa/townhouse markets have already shown signs of natural moderation. Some analysts point to supply pipelines (especially of apartments) and caution around speculative buying. The message: choose wisely.
Scenario 3 – Shift in Investor Behaviour
Investors might increasingly favour ready-to-move stock or mixed-use developments where rental yield and hand-over risk are lower. For HNW investors in Dubai and beyond, the strategy might shift from “buy early-stage off-plan” to “buy near-handover or completed”.
For us at Harpreet Real Estate LLC, the core advice remains unchanged: focus on product quality, developer reputation, community infrastructure, and handover timelines especially when exploring off-plan deals.
Key Considerations for Investors
For those considering entry into the Dubai property market (off-plan apartment segment) here are some checklist items:
Developer track-record: off-plan means risk of delay stick with proven brands.
Location & connectivity: near metro/light-rail, good amenities, strong rental demand.
Payment plan and timeline: favourable terms matter, particularly if you’re investing overseas.
Exit / rental strategy: even if buying for capital growth, rental yield and liquidity are important.
Macro awareness: global interest rates, currency moves, regional geopolitics may affect returns.
Why Work with Harpreet Real Estate LLC?
As the Dubai division of Property Gallery, Harpreet Real Estate LLC brings an unwavering commitment to Credibility, Honesty and Loyalty. Whether you’re a Saudi investor seeking diversification, an Indian investor in Dubai, or a global HNW investor looking at off-plan opportunities, our team offers on-ground insight, market-depth knowledge and long-term guidance. We don’t just match you with a unit we help map your investment-strategy conversation.
Conclusion
The recent acceleration of off-plan apartment sales in Dubai underscores a deeply shifting real-estate landscape. With a 35 % quarter-on-quarter increase, record volumes and a dominant off-plan share of transactions, the stage is set for the next chapter of the Dubai property market. For HNW investors in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and India assessing Dubai real estate investment, the opportunity is undeniably real but so is the need for diligence, intelligence and timing. At Harpreet Real Estate LLC, we believe that well-advised entry into this market today could yield meaningful outcomes tomorrow. Let’s chart that journey together.
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