Manhattan Market Intelligence

After a strong start to fall, New York City’s housing market shows no signs of cooling as we head into winter. Manhattan’s luxury segment, in particular, continues to outperform expectations—buoyed by resilient buyer demand, limited supply, and renewed optimism from Wall Street. Luxury sales in Manhattan jumped 13.6% in the third quarter , marking one of the strongest performances since 2021. As we move toward year-end, that momentum could continue—especially with Wall Stre

NYC’s fall housing market is off to its strongest start since 2021, with rising sales and renewed buyer demand—but Brooklyn buyers should brace for bidding wars.

A recent analysis from The Real Deal took a close look at Manhattan’s condo market and found that many investors who purchased between 2016 and 2020 haven’t seen the returns they expected. According to the report, roughly one in three condo resales over the past year sold at a loss, with new development buyers hit the hardest. But that doesn’t mean the market is in trouble—it just means the numbers need context. What’s Been Happening Timing matters. Buyers who entered d

Manhattan’s real estate market held strong in Q3 2025, with sales up 7% year-over-year and mortgage rates at an 11-month low. Read the full report.

Wondering how to sell your home in NYC? This step-by-step guide from NYC real estate broker Serj Markarian covers 10 essential tips for New York City home sellers—from setting the right listing price and staging your apartment to marketing, negotiating offers, and closing. Learn how to navigate the NYC real estate market with confidence.

The recent acquisition of Anywhere by Compass marks one of the largest consolidations in the history of the U.S. brokerage landscape. On paper, it’s the kind of deal that signals strength: more agents, more offices, more scale. But as Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, reminds us that “ bigger doesn’t always mean better ,” especially when it comes to serving sellers. Her message cuts through the noise of consolidation to underscore what matters most for clients—tra

This week, New York’s casino race dealt two high-profile proposals a losing hand. Both Silverstein Properties’ Avenir project on the West Side and the Caesars/SL Green bid for Times Square were rejected by the Community Advisory Committee . On paper, these weren’t just casinos—they were ambitious mixed-use visions promising thousands of new apartments, hotels, cultural venues, and jobs. In practice, community opposition and cultural pushback proved stronger than the develope

Markets are nearly unanimous that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its September meeting, with odds close to 90% for a reduction. In fact, Brown Harris Stevens Chief Economist Greg Heym noted that the August jobs report shows a softening labor market with weak hiring and rising unemployment—leaving the Fed with little choice but to cut rates by at least 25 basis points , as of his write-up on September 5. As of this morning, the odds of a 50-basis-point cut sta

According to a recent Zillow analysis , “a median-income family would either need home values to fall by 18% or mortgage rates to drop from June’s 6.74% to 4.43% in order to afford a typical U.S. home.” In other words, waiting for both rates and prices to tumble is unrealistic. The New York Times goes further, pointing out the U.S. metros where a median-income household has the highest affordability for a median-priced home. But while those national headlines may sound...

While New York is still dominated by older housing stock—83% of all sales in the past year—newer homes (built after 2015) are commanding a significant premium, selling for 58% more than older inventory . Renovated homes that have been upgraded since 2015 generally track closer to older properties, but in some neighborhoods, the premiums can be dramatic. This “newness premium” plays out differently across the city. In some neighborhoods, new construction and gut renovations

Downtown Brooklyn’s housing market is booming. More than 3,700 new units were completed in the first half of 2025 alone—a record-breaking surge that eclipses the borough’s last major growth spurt in 2002, when just 2,925 units were delivered over the entire year. Roughly 30% of this year’s additions include affordable housing. Jonathan Miller, CEO and President of Miller Samuel, draws a comparison to Manhattan’s Financial District during its transformation years ago, when

An age-old debate among New Yorkers is whether pre-war apartments outshine new developments when it comes to buying in the city. The truth is, both have their strengths and drawbacks—and the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference. As one NYC broker put it, “pre-war apartments attract someone who values history, craftsmanship, and architectural charm.” In other words, these are buyers who choose soul over the sleekness that many new developments offer . Timele

A dramatic shift is underway in New York City’s real estate market, particularly in Manhattan, where a record number of buyers are closing deals without financing. According to a recent PropertyShark report, nearly 60% of Manhattan home purchases were all-cash deals in the second quarter of 2025—the highest proportion across the five boroughs. In many cases, these buyers are coming in strong with no contingencies, reshaping expectations on both sides of the transaction.

When it comes to home renovations in New York City, there’s no ideal season—projects happen all year long. Unlike in the suburbs, seasonal fluctuations don’t affect renovation costs or scheduling here, which is why I like to revisit this topic annually as a helpful check-in for anyone considering or currently navigating a renovation. For some, home improvement can be a rewarding process; for others, it can feel like a major undertaking. Either way, it’s important to steer c

When the FARE Act officially took effect in NYC this summer , eliminating most broker fees for renters, the reaction was mixed—tenants largely rejoiced, while many in the real estate industry warned of ripple effects. Now that we’re a few weeks in, are those fears being realized—or were they overblown? A New York Times analysis of 1.3 million listings on StreetEasy suggests that some unintended consequences are already beginning to surface. A number of landlords appear to

Foreign buyers and sellers continue to play an active role in NYC real estate, despite past slowdowns and shifting regulations. While their presence hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic highs, they remain a steady—and in some cases growing—force in the market, particularly in the luxury segment. Since the second quarter of 2022, the U.S. dollar has sharply declined, making New York City condos appear significantly cheaper to international buyers. That decline hasn’t let up—the d

I’ve talked before about navigating renovations, managing building policies, and even negotiating with neighbors—but one question that’s come up repeatedly over the years is … What happens when your neighbor won’t grant you access for a project? Whether you're installing scaffolding, inspecting a shared wall, or making rooftop repairs, chances are you’ll need temporary access to a neighboring property. And while these situations have become more common over the years, the l

Despite a rocky start to the second quarter—fueled by new tariffs, rising mortgage rates, and escalating tensions in the Middle East—Manhattan’s residential real estate market managed to hold its ground, thanks largely to the strength of the luxury sector. In her letter accompanying the newly released Q2 2025 Manhattan Market Report , Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman notes, “Even with the rising level of uncertainty, the Manhattan apartment market had a decent second

Luxury developments have long relied on standout amenities to attract buyers and renters—but as lifestyles shift, so do expectations. While staples like pools and gyms still matter, today’s residents are looking for curated experiences that support wellness, convenience, and connection. Developers are responding with lifestyle-focused offerings that go far beyond the basics. Think spa facilities, yoga studios, green spaces—and, in some of Manhattan’s most exclusive buildin

I’ve covered home renovation quite a bit since launching this blog seven years ago—from budgeting and value-boosting upgrades to timing and getting started. If you’ve followed along, you might consider yourself a renovation pro by now. But one question I haven’t tackled—though it’s come up with clients—is this: How soon after buying a home should you start renovating? The answer depends, first and foremost, on the condition of the home. If you bought a fixer-upper, renova