The 21–25 September Mortgage Spike Did Not Last

Dubai real estate transactions totalled AED 11.28 billion between 28 September and 2 October 2026, according to Dubai Land Department (DLD) data published by Arabian Business on 4 October. That is almost the same as the AED 11.185 billion recorded in the week of 21–25 September (Arabian Business, 26 September), but the mix changed: mortgages fell back and sales recovered.

In the week of 21–25 September, mortgages made up about 35% of total transaction value. In the week of 28 September – 2 October, their share dropped to about 27%, close to the roughly 26% recorded in the week of 7–11 September (The Week, 12 September). The 21–25 September jump therefore looks like a one-week spike rather than a new trend.

Dubai Real Estate Transactions: 21–25 September vs 28 September – 2 October

Metric21–25 September28 September – 2 OctoberChange
Total transaction valueAED 11.185 billionAED 11.28 billionUp 0.8%
Sales valueAED 6.41 billionAED 7.58 billionUp 18.3%
Number of sales transactions2,4262,871Up 18.3%
Mortgage transaction valueAED 3.86 billionAED 3.05 billionDown 21.0%
Gift transfer valueAED 915 millionAED 648 millionDown 29.2%
Mortgage share of total value34.5%27.0%Down 7.5 percentage points
Average saleAED 2.64 millionAED 2.64 millionDown 0.1%

Sources: 21–25 September figures: Arabian Business, 26 September 2026. 28 September – 2 October figures: Arabian Business, 4 October 2026. Percentage changes, mortgage share and average sale calculated by Dubai Index. Average sale = sales value ÷ number of sales transactions.

Sales Recovered in Both Number and Value

The number of sales rose 18.3%, from 2,426 in the week of 21–25 September to 2,871 in the week of 28 September – 2 October. Sales value rose at the same rate, from AED 6.41 billion to AED 7.58 billion. The average sale stayed at about AED 2.64 million in both weeks, so the increase came from more deals, not more expensive ones.

Gift transfers fell 29.2%, from AED 915 million to AED 648 million.

The Most Expensive Deals of 28 September – 2 October

Among the most expensive sales listed by DLD that week (Arabian Business):

  • An office in AHS Tower, Trade Centre Second, sold for AED 33 million.
  • An office in Lumena Alta by Omniyat, Business Bay, sold for AED 30.75 million.
  • An apartment in Citywalk Residential Building 13B, City Walk, sold for AED 29.5 million.

In the week of 21–25 September, the three most expensive deals were all apartments at Como Residences on Palm Jumeirah (Arabian Business). In the week of 28 September – 2 October, they were spread across offices and a City Walk apartment. DLD's weekly data does not say whether these are first sales from the developer or resales, so they are best read as a snapshot of the top of the market, not a price benchmark.

What Does This Mean for Israeli Investors?

One Week Is Not a Trend

These two weeks show how quickly weekly figures can swing: the mortgage share moved from 35% to 27% in seven days. Weekly DLD data is best read alongside monthly and quarterly figures, and alongside price data such as the Dubai Index property price index.

Prices Are Still the Bigger Question

Transaction volumes held steady, but price forecasts point lower. Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar expects an average 5% fall in Dubai property prices this year (Gulf Times), as we covered in our article on Emaar's 2026 price forecast. In our view, steady volumes alongside softer prices may give buyers more room to negotiate.

Financing: Check Before You Decide

If you plan to finance a purchase, check what financing is actually available to you as a non-resident buyer. Terms, required down payment and eligibility criteria vary from bank to bank. For more, see our mortgage and financing service.

Weighing a Mortgage or a Cash Purchase in Dubai?

The Dubai Index team can help you compare financing options and test a specific deal against the latest transaction and price data. Leave your details and we'll get back to you: contact us or message us on WhatsApp.

Sources