Saudi real estate transactions fall 17% in September

Riyadh city

The value of real estate transactions in the Saudi market declined 17% in September 2026 to around SAR 27.8 billion, compared with around SAR 33.6 billion in September 2025.

This followed a 19% decline in residential transaction value to SAR 14.9 billion from around SAR 18.4 billion in September 2025, in addition to a 15% drop in non-residential transaction value to SAR 12.8 billion, according to data from the Real Estate General Authority (REGA).

Residential transactions accounted for around 54% of total real estate transaction value in September 2026, while non-residential transactions represented around 46%.

The number of real estate transactions executed in September 2026 fell to around 22,000, down 13%, with residential and non-residential transactions declining 13% each.

Land accounted for the largest share of residential transaction value in September 2026 at SAR 6.4 billion, or around 43% of total residential transaction value, followed by apartments at SAR 2.9 billion and villas at SAR 2.6 billion.

Land transactions value was the biggest decliner, down 32%, followed by duplex at 31%.

Data showed that the number of residential real estate transactions declined YoY across most property types in September 2026, except for villas and floors, which rose 73% and 12% YoY, respectively. Other property types rose 69%.

According to the data, real estate liquidity was concentrated in the major regions, with Makkah accounting for 38% of total transaction value, followed by Riyadh at 33% and the Eastern Province at 17%.

Riyadh led real estate market activity by transaction volume, accounting for 29% of the total number of transactions executed in the Kingdom, followed by Makkah at 21% and the Eastern Province at 15%.

Rental transaction value up 18% to SAR 9.4B

Rental transaction value rose 18% to SAR 9.4 billion in September 2026, compared with around SAR 7.9 billion in the same month a year earlier.

This was driven by a 19% increase in the value of residential rental transactions to around SAR 5.3 billion, compared with SAR 4.5 billion in September 2025, accounting for 56% of total rental transactions.

The number of rental contracts in the Kingdom increased 37% in September 2026 to 413,800, compared to 301,700 transactions in the same period a year ago.

Residential rentals increased by 36%, compared to a 40% rise for the non-residential sector.

The number of rental contracts in Saudi Arabia rose 36% YoY in September 2026 to 353,100, driven by growth in both residential and non-residential leases.

Residential rental contracts increased 36% YoY to 284,300, while non-residential rental contracts grew by 38% to 68,800.

Riyadh ranked first among administrative regions by rental transaction value at SAR 3.9 billion, followed by Makkah at SAR 2.4 billion.

Riyadh also ranked first among administrative regions by number of rental transactions, recording 133,800 transactions, representing 32% of the Kingdom’s total.

Makkah ranked second with 107,100 transactions and a 26% share, followed by the Eastern Province with 65,700 transactions, representing 16%.