The 2018 Abu Dhabi Property Market Report revealed prices have continued to decrease in the residential sector.

Villas and townhouses are now 6.2 per cent cheaper than a year ago. 

Apartment prices in Abu Dhabi Investment Zones also declined by 5.8 per cent over the same period.  Investors have shown growing interest toward lower-priced inventory, due to higher expected yields and flexible payment plans offered by developers.

However, many potential buyers continue to wait for the market to soften further in H1 2019.

“Abu Dhabi’s real estate market continued to face challenges in 2018. As flight-to-quality and market corrections continue, we expect activity to remain subdued in H1 2019," Manika Dhama, Head of Strategic Consulting and Research at Cavendish Maxwell said.

"Meanwhile, investor interest is expected to shift from off-plan products to mid-market ready-to-move stock and residential plots in investment zones, which allow both UAE nationals and expatriate buyers to custom-build homes within their budgets.

"A recent example of this was Aldar, selling over 800 vacant plots to Emiratis and expatriates in its Alreeman project, located in the investment zone of Al Shamkha.”

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