Brooklyn and Manhattan Real Estate See Strongest Start to Fall Since 2021

The fall 2025 home-buying season in New York City is off to a lively start. According to StreetEasy, September marked the highest volume of contracts for the month since 2021, and particularly in Brooklyn, where buyers are facing increasing competition and bidding wars.    

Let’s break down what this means for buyers, especially those looking in Brooklyn, and how to approach the market smartly.

What’s Driving the Momentum

• Home-shopping picked up accordingly: NYC saw about 1,721 homes enter contract in September, a y-o-y rise driven by improving affordability and a surge in new listings.  

• Listings rose as sellers returned to the market: New listings in the fall market increased by nearly 9.6% compared to last year, giving buyers more choices.  

• Homes are selling faster: Days on market declined, meaning the listings that do come up are moving more quickly than in recent months.  

Brooklyn Buyers Should Be Prepared for Competition

• High premiums: In Brooklyn, about one in four homes sold for more than the asking price in September — a strong indication of bidding-war activity.  

• Hot ZIP‐codes: Neighborhoods like Prospect Heights (47% sold above ask) and Park Slope (44% over ask) are especially competitive.  

• Fast pace, fewer seconds: With strong demand and limited time between listing and contract, buyers must act decisively and strategically if they want to win in these markets.

How Buyers Can Stay Ahead

• Get pre-approved and locked in: With competition intense, a clean pre-approval shows sellers you’re a serious contender.

• Be ready to move quickly: Have your criteria, budget, and neighborhood priorities defined so you can jump when the right listing hits.

• Expect to stretch a bit: Especially in Brooklyn, you might need to be flexible on price or concessions (if remodeling or waiting is off the table).

• Lean on agent expertise: A broker familiar with Brooklyn’s neighborhoods and bidding dynamics can make the difference in identifying value before others get wind.

• Keep long-term perspective: Even in competitive markets, buying with a 5- to 10-year horizon reduces pressure and helps you pick well.

Why This Moment Matters

New York’s strong fall start is more than seasonal. It reflects shifting conditions such as improving affordability, more sellers, and returning buyer confidence. But the increased competition, especially in Brooklyn, signals that the window of opportunity may be narrower than it seems.

For buyers who are prepared, now may be a strategic moment to act rather than wait. With the right tactics and guidance, you can position yourself well in a market that’s heating up.

If you’re looking to explore Brooklyn or Manhattan listings this fall, I’d be glad to walk you through the current inventory, neighborhoods, and what it takes to succeed at today's pace.

Serj Markarian