If Abu Dhabi’s property market were a Netflix series, 2025’s first half has definitely been the season where “ready homes” stole the spotlight. Forget waiting around for off-plan promises—buyers are clearly craving instant gratification, and honestly, who can blame them?
According to Cavendish Maxwell, about 3,300 residential sales went down between January and June. Of these, a whopping 2,300 were ready properties, while just over 1,000 were off-plan. Translation? Fewer “coming soon” projects and way more “here are the keys, enjoy your balcony view” moments. Off-plan sales dipped nearly 50% from late 2024 and an eyebrow-raising 70% from early 2024. Ouch. But hey, fewer launches mean limited choices—and buyers flocked to what’s already standing tall.
Dh8.9 Billion Worth of Homes Later…
Even with slower off-plan action, Abu Dhabi still saw transactional values hit Dh8.9 billion in the first half of 2025. Sure, that’s a 33% drop compared to the same time last year, but here’s the twist: ready homes got pricier. The average deal jumped from Dh2.1 million to Dh2.5 million. Basically, while there were fewer sales, the “sold” stickers slapped on apartments and villas were definitely heavier on the wallet.
As Andrew Laver from Cavendish Maxwell put it (with slightly less sass than us): “Demand for completed projects remains robust.” Translation: investors and families aren’t shy about paying a premium for a move-in-ready home with shiny amenities.
Supply’s Catching Up—Slowly
So far, 2,400 new units were delivered in Abu Dhabi city this year. Developers are aiming to hand over about 10,400 more by year-end, plus another 11,000 in 2026. But let’s be real: construction timelines are like gym memberships—optimistic on paper, slower in practice. That means supply could stay behind demand for a while, keeping ready homes in their hot streak.
The big picture? Vision 2030 is turbo-charging economic growth, international migration is bringing in more residents, and families want modern, community-driven homes. Toss in steady GCC-wide economic momentum, and Abu Dhabi’s property scene isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving, even with fewer cranes dotting the skyline.
What’s Next?
Laver hints that upcoming launches will add some sparkle back into the off-plan game. But for now, ready homes are the main character in Abu Dhabi’s real estate drama—less “waiting for season two,” more “press play now.”
So, if you’ve been on the fence about investing, consider this your nudge: Abu Dhabi’s ready properties aren’t just holding their ground—they’re setting the pace.
