Homebuyers in Abu Dhabi are increasingly targeting properties in projects nearing handover, as rising prices across several established communities and a sharp increase in resales point to continued demand in the capital’s housing market.
The estate agency recorded 883 off-plan secondary transactions during the quarter across 25,422 active units, up from 567 transactions in the first quarter of 2026.
Yas Island remained the center of activity, accounting for 366 transactions, or more than 40 percent of the quarterly total. Yas Island Apartments recorded 245 deals, while North Yas accounted for another 121. Gardenia on Yas Island was the busiest individual project, with 156 transactions.
Near-Handover Projects Attract Buyers
Some of the highest turnover rates were recorded in developments approaching completion. Sustainable City led with an annual turnover rate of 18.8 percent, followed by Yas Golf Collection at 17.9 percent, Reem Eleven at 16.1 percent and Manarat Living 1 at 15.4 percent.
Ben Crompton, Managing Partner of Crompton Partners, said buyers were becoming more selective, with stronger liquidity emerging in well-priced developments where completion was clearly visible.
Handover timing, product, pricing and the depth of the resale market were becoming increasingly important in determining performance.
Activity also broadened beyond Abu Dhabi’s main island communities. The outskirts recorded 235 off-plan secondary transactions, led by Al Reeman with 148 sales and Bloom Living with 80. Saadiyat Cultural District recorded 97 secondary off-plan transactions, while Saadiyat South posted 139.
Reem Island Leads Established Market
Across six established areas tracked by Crompton Partners, 483 properties worth Dh1.25 billion changed hands during the second quarter.
Reem Island remained the most active established residential market, with 223 transactions worth Dh399.3 million.
Prices also recorded strong annual gains across several Reem communities. Average prices per square meter rose 33.6 percent at Sun Sky Gate, 27.1 percent in Najmat, 25.7 percent at Marina Square, 20.2 percent in City of Lights and 19.8 percent across Shams Reem Island.
Al Reef recorded 108 transactions worth Dh183.7 million, with Al Reef Villas 2 posting a 59.3 percent annual increase in average prices. Al Reef Apartments rose 40.2 percent.
On Yas Island, average prices increased 57.6 percent at Yas Acres, 32 percent at Water’s Edge and 29.2 percent at Noya.
Saadiyat Island Commands Premium Values
Saadiyat Island remained the highest-value market among the areas tracked. Just 13 transactions generated Dh273.6 million in sales during the quarter, including Dh205.5 million from six transactions at HIDD.
Mamsha remained the highest-priced community in the report at Dh57,365 per square meter, while Saadiyat Beach Villas posted an 83.9 percent annual price increase.
Crompton cautioned that percentage movements in communities with very low transaction volumes should be treated carefully. He noted that Abu Dhabi was increasingly becoming a market where individual communities and projects perform differently, making transaction liquidity, buyer demand and proximity to completion more important than broad market trends.
The resale surge comes as Abu Dhabi property prices rose 17.8% year-on-year in Q2 2026, while total transactions doubled to $31.86 billion in the first half of the year. Meanwhile, Dubai recorded $9.5 billion in sales in July 2026 as buyers returned to the secondary segment.
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