Off-Plan or Ready? What Abu Dhabi Buyers Are Choosing in 2026

There is an expansion in the residential property market of Abu Dhabi, but there is one figure which says much more about the behavior of buyers than any transaction volume. In the first half-year of 2026, sales of residential units reached AED 70.4 billion. 89% of off-plan sales formed the total sales volume and 82% of all residential properties transactions. And it evidences the fact that today a significant part of the capital is being invested before construction is finished.

So, What Does the Ready Property Market Tell?

The ready property market is another story. Among the completed homes 61% of purchases were made in cash, and it clearly indicates the difference between the two segments regarding the needs of buyers. While the off-plan properties are bought by buyers who are willing to become the owners of a property before its completion through special payment plans, ready properties are attractive to buyers due to immediate ownership, renting, occupying or any other benefit from the already existing asset.

Off-Plan is Predominant but Concentrated

High Demand, but Very Concentrated

The high demand in off-plan purchases doesn't mean that all of the launches have the same demand. In the H1 of 2026, top ten developers have 90% off-plan sales volume of 51 billion AED, while only ten projects were responsible for 43% of residential units sales.

That level of concentration means that people buy off-plan properties, but also they invest their money in certain developers and projects with good reputation and location.

Now Comes the Question of Supply

At present, there are approximately 409,000 residential units in Abu Dhabi, and another 71,000 are forecasted till 2030. Deliveries are estimated to peak at 21,800 units in 2028. This supply pipeline makes the choice of real estate ever more significant. The off-plan purchaser today is purchasing not only a home, but the future supply landscape as well.

The better question then is not just: Off-plan or ready. Its What are you buying? When will it be competing? Who will want what you've got when you're ready to sell or rent it out?

The View of Almira real estate

Off-plan currently beats Abu Dhabi hands-down in terms of market share, but market share alone does not make the right investment decision.

Ready real estate provides certainty. Off-plan gives access to future supply cycles.

It all depends on how long you want to wait and for what purpose.

Source: ADREC.