The Saudi real estate market witnessed mixed performance during September 2026, with a decline in the value of real estate sales transactions coinciding with a notable growth in rental activity. The value of real estate transactions across its various sectors decreased to 27.76 billion riyals, while the value of rental transactions increased to 9.39 billion riyals, according to data from the General Authority for Real Estate .
Real estate transactions totaled 27.8 billion riyals.
The total value of real estate transactions in the Kingdom declined by 17% during September 2026, recording 27.76 billion riyals, compared to about 33.59 billion riyals in the same month of 2025.
This decrease came as a result of a decline in the value of residential real estate transactions by 19%, from 18.41 billion riyals to 14.94 billion riyals, in addition to a decrease in the value of non-residential transactions by 15%, from 15.18 billion riyals to 12.83 billion riyals.
The residential sector accounted for approximately 54% of the total value of real estate transactions during September, compared to 46% for the non-residential sector, equivalent to 12.83 billion riyals of the total transactions.
On a monthly basis throughout 2026, real estate transactions totaled SAR 28.48 billion in January, distributed between SAR 17.52 billion for the residential sector and SAR 10.96 billion for the non-residential sector. In February, the total value declined to SAR 24.04 billion, comprising SAR 14.65 billion for residential transactions and SAR 9.39 billion for non-residential transactions.
The decline continued in March, with the value of transactions reaching 19.37 billion riyals, with 12.03 billion riyals for the residential sector and 7.34 billion riyals for the non-residential sector, before rising in April to 29.31 billion riyals, of which 18.07 billion riyals were for the residential sector and 11.24 billion riyals for the non-residential sector.
In May, the market recorded deals with a total value of 22.61 billion riyals, distributed between 14.14 billion riyals residential and 8.47 billion riyals non-residential. Then the value rose in June to 23.67 billion riyals, of which 15.02 billion riyals were for the residential sector and 8.65 billion riyals for the non-residential sector.
July recorded the highest monthly value among the data presented, totaling SAR 35.54 billion, comprising SAR 19.82 billion for residential transactions and SAR 15.72 billion for non-residential transactions. In August, the value declined to SAR 24.41 billion, with SAR 17.90 billion for the residential sector and SAR 6.51 billion for the non-residential sector. Non-residential transactions then rose in September to SAR 12.83 billion, compared to SAR 14.94 billion for the residential sector, bringing the total to SAR 27.76 billion.
The number of sell transactions decreased by 13%
The decline wasn't limited to transaction value; it extended to the number of completed real estate deals, which fell by 131 TP3T in September 2026, reaching 21,991 transactions, compared to 25,196 transactions in the same month of the previous year. The residential sector recorded 19,911 transactions, compared to 22,794 in September 2025, a decrease of 131 TP3T. The number of non-residential transactions also declined, from 2,402 to 2,080, a drop of 131 TP3T.
Thus, the total number of transactions decreased by approximately 3,205 transactions on an annual basis, with activity in the residential and non-residential sectors declining at the same relative rate.
Land accounts for 6.4 billion riyals of residential transactions
Land topped the list of residential property types in terms of transaction value during September 2026, despite experiencing the largest decline among the main types. The value of its transactions decreased by 321 TP3T, from SAR 9.48 billion in September 2025 to SAR 6.42 billion, representing approximately 431 TP3T of the total value of residential transactions.
Apartments came in next, with their transaction value declining by 211 TP3T, from SAR 3.64 billion to SAR 2.89 billion. Villa transactions also decreased, by 51 TP3T, from SAR 2.78 billion to SAR 2.65 billion.
Conversely, residential properties saw a 421 TP3T increase in transaction value, rising from SAR 650 million to SAR 920 million. Duplex transactions, however, declined by 311 TP3T, from SAR 1.28 billion to SAR 880 million. Other real estate categories experienced the highest value growth, with transactions increasing by 1021 TP3T, from SAR 590 million in September 2025 to SAR 1.19 billion in September 2026.
With all these movements, the value of residential transactions decreased from 18.41 billion riyals to 14.94 billion riyals, an annual decrease of 19%.
Residential floors are driving the growth in the number of transactions.
Data on the number of residential transactions showed a disparity in the performance of property types during September 2026, with most categories declining, while activity increased in apartments, villas and other properties.
Land transactions totaled 10,219, compared to 13,186 in the same month of 2025, a decrease of 231 TP3T. Apartment transactions also declined by 131 TP3T, from 5,423 to 4,698, and duplex transactions decreased by 321 TP3T, from 1,098 to 751.
Conversely, the number of villa transactions increased by 121 TP3T, from 1,756 to 1,965, while residential floor transactions jumped by 731 TP3T, from 697 to 1,207. Similarly, the number of other property transactions rose by 691 TP3T, from 634 to 1,071.
Despite the increase in the number of transactions in these three categories, the total number of residential transactions decreased by 13%, from 22,794 transactions in September 2025 to 19,911 transactions in September 2026.
Mecca leads in the value of deals, while Riyadh leads in the number.
Real estate sales liquidity during September 2026 was distributed unevenly among the administrative regions, with three main regions accounting for the largest share of transaction value.
The Makkah region topped the list of regions in terms of transaction value, with a total of SAR 10.47 billion, representing 37.71 TP3T of the total value in the Kingdom. The Riyadh region came in second with SAR 9.06 billion and a share of 32.61 TP3T, followed by the Eastern Province with SAR 4.72 billion, equivalent to 171 TP3T of the total.
Madinah recorded deals worth 1.32 billion riyals, representing 4.7%, while the value of deals in the Qassim region amounted to 520 million riyals, with a share of 1.9%.
In terms of the number of transactions, Riyadh ranked first with 6,447 transactions, representing 291 TP3T of the total transactions recorded in the Kingdom. Makkah came in second with 4,667 transactions, representing 211 TP3T, followed by the Eastern Province with 3,362 transactions, representing 151 TP3T.
The Qassim region recorded 1,747 transactions, with a share of 8%, while the transactions in Madinah amounted to 1,204 transactions, equivalent to 5% of the total real estate transactions.
Rental transactions rise to 9.39 billion riyals
In contrast to the decline in real estate sales, rental transactions recorded growth during September 2026, as their total value increased by 18% year-on-year, reaching SAR 9.39 billion, compared to SAR 7.94 billion in the same month of 2025.
The growth was driven by a 19% increase in the value of residential rental transactions, from SAR 4.45 billion to SAR 5.30 billion, representing approximately 56% of the total value. The value of non-residential rental transactions also rose by 17%, from SAR 3.49 billion to SAR 4.09 billion.
Thus, the total value of rental transactions increased by approximately 1.45 billion riyals during the year, with growth in both the residential and non-residential sectors.
The number of rental transactions jumps 37%
The leasing activity witnessed a greater expansion in terms of the number of transactions, as the number of rental deals in the Kingdom increased by 37% during September 2026, reaching 413,835 deals, compared to 301,708 deals in the same month of the previous year.
The residential sector recorded 314,985 rental transactions, compared to 230,973, representing an increase of 361 TP3T. The non-residential sector saw a rise in transactions of 401 TP3T, from 70,735 to 98,850.
These figures reflect an overall increase of 112,127 rental transactions on an annual basis, with the non-residential sector recording a higher growth rate than the residential sector in the number of transactions.
Leasehold contracts rise by 36% during September
In parallel with the growth in the number of rental transactions, the number of registered rental contracts in the Kingdom increased by 36% during September 2026, reaching 353,089 contracts, compared to 259,273 contracts during the same month of 2025. The number of residential contracts increased by 36%, from 209,482 contracts to 284,272 contracts, while non-residential contracts increased by 38%, from 49,791 contracts to 68,817 contracts.
The market thus added approximately 93,816 rental contracts compared to the same period of the previous year, driven by an increase in contracts in both sectors, with the non-residential sector showing relative progress in the growth rate.
At the level of administrative regions, Riyadh ranked first in terms of the value of rental transactions during September 2026, with a total of 3.90 billion riyals, representing 42% of the value of transactions in the Kingdom.
Riyadh accounts for 42% of the value of rental transactions
Makkah came in second place with a value of 2.43 billion riyals, and a share of 26%, followed by the Eastern Province with a value of 1.38 billion riyals, representing 15% of the total.
The value of rental transactions in Madinah amounted to 440 million riyals, with a share of 5%, while the Asir region recorded 310 million riyals, equivalent to 3%.
These data show that a large part of the rental activity is concentrated in Riyadh and Makkah, which together accounted for approximately 68% of the total value of rental transactions during the month.
Riyadh leads in the number of rental transactions
Riyadh region maintained its first position in terms of the number of rental transactions, after recording 133,835 transactions during September 2026, representing 32% of the total transactions in the Kingdom.
The Makkah region came in second with 107,101 transactions, representing 26%, while the Eastern region came in third with 65,737 transactions, representing 16% of the total.
Madinah recorded 23,069 rental transactions, with a share of 6%, followed by the Asir region with 19,854 transactions, representing 5% of the total transactions.
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