Abu Dhabi's Off-Plan Resale Market: The Projects Buyers Are Choosing in 2026

Abu Dhabi recorded 825 off-plan resale transactions in Q3 2026, with Yas Island and Al Reem Island accounting for more than half of the activity tracked in our latest research. 

Our Q3 2026 Off-Plan Secondary Market Report examines resale transactions across 35 developments, covering a combined stock of 27,297 units between July and September. 

Unlike primary off-plan sales, where buyers purchase directly from developers, off-plan resales involve properties being sold by existing purchasers before completion. These transactions provide an additional measure of activity within Abu Dhabi's growing off-plan market. 

Over the twelve months ending September 2026, the projects covered in our report recorded 2,616 resale transactions, representing an annual turnover of 9.6% of their combined unit stock. 

Yas Island Leads Abu Dhabi's Off-Plan Resale Activity 

Yas Island recorded the highest number of off-plan resales in Q3, with 228 transactions across its apartment developments and North Yas communities. 

Gardenia Bay was the busiest individual project in our report, recording 121 transactions during the quarter and 366 over the preceding twelve months. 

Other Yas Island developments also recorded resale activity. Sustainable City registered 40 transactions, followed by Yas Park Gate with 18, Yas Park Views with 17 and Sea La Vie with 17. 

Sustainable City was particularly active relative to its size, with an annual turnover rate of 19.9%, one of the highest recorded across all 35 projects. 

The figures show considerable differences in resale activity between developments on the same island, making individual project performance an important consideration for buyers and investors. 

Al Reem Island Follows With 216 Transactions 

Al Reem Island was the second-busiest area in Q3, recording 216 off-plan resale transactions, with the majority concentrated in Reem Hills. 

Reem Hills Apartments accounted for 119 transactions, while Reem Hills Villas recorded another 91. Reem Eleven contributed six sales. 

Reem Hills Apartments also recorded a quarterly turnover equivalent to 12.1% of its total unit stock. 

However, our report notes that some of the unusually high transaction activity at Reem Hills may reflect previously completed sales being registered during the quarter, rather than all transactions taking place within those three months. 

This is an important distinction when assessing resale demand, particularly for developments reporting unusually high activity over a short period. 

Saadiyat Island and Abu Dhabi's Outskirts Also Record Significant Activity 

Beyond Yas and Al Reem, Saadiyat Island recorded 168 transactions across the Cultural District and Saadiyat South. 

Saadiyat Lagoons led the island with 48 sales, followed by Saadiyat Grove with 38. 

Meanwhile, developments on Abu Dhabi's outskirts recorded 133 transactions during Q3. Bloom Living registered 66 sales, closely followed by Al Reeman with 64. 

Over the preceding twelve months, Al Reeman recorded 341 transactions and Bloom Living recorded 278, placing both among the most actively traded individual projects covered in our research. 

Why Resale Activity Matters When Buying Off-Plan 

For buyers considering an off-plan property, resale activity provides useful information beyond developer launch prices and payment plans. 

A project with regular resale transactions may offer more opportunities to compare prices and assess what other buyers are willing to pay before handover. 

It can also help existing owners understand how actively properties in their development are being traded. 

However, higher transaction volumes do not automatically mean stronger investment returns or higher property values. 

The number of units within a development, its construction progress, original purchase prices and the timing of transaction registrations can all affect the figures. 

Our report also highlights substantial differences in annual turnover rates between projects, even within the same location. 

For investors considering a future resale, these differences deserve attention alongside the property's purchase price, payment obligations and expected completion date. 

Explore Our Q3 2026 Off-Plan Secondary Market Report 

With 825 transactions recorded during the quarter, Abu Dhabi's off-plan secondary market remains an active part of the wider residential property market. 

Yas Island and Al Reem Island accounted for the largest share of transactions, but activity varied significantly between individual developments. 

Our Q3 2026 Off-Plan Secondary Market Report provides a detailed breakdown of transactions, unit stock, and annual turnover rates across 35 projects in Abu Dhabi. 

Download the full report to see how individual developments performed and compare resale activity across Abu Dhabi's off-plan market.