I hope you’re staying warm. Between the snow and the cold, it’s been an interesting week of winter weather! Hopefully this newsletter gives you a chance to put the shovel down and catch up on what’s been happening across the city over the past month.
In this edition, I recap recent market activity and share research, articles, and events I hope you’ll find interesting.
On to the market...
Manhattan & Brooklyn Residential Real Estate
As we move through the early weeks of 2026, Manhattan and Brooklyn are showing very different market dynamics, shaped less by macro shifts and more by where demand is concentrating.
Manhattan
In Manhattan, activity has reset seasonally following a strong 2025 finish, while market conditions remain broadly stable. Inventory increased in January as sellers returned after the holidays, and transactional activity reflected the seasonal timing of deals negotiated late last year. Together, these signals are consistent with a normal seasonal shift, with underlying pricing power largely unchanged.
Well-located, well-priced apartments continue to attract demand, with buyers proceeding thoughtfully rather than urgently. Manhattan also remains comparatively homogeneous in behavior across neighborhoods, which is reflected in its steady liquidity and consistent deal flow.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn, by contrast, behaves less like a single market and more like a collection of distinct micro-markets.
In core brownstone neighborhoods, including Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens, Fort Greene, and Prospect Heights, supply remains extremely limited, and buyer demand continues to concentrate around quality product. Many listings in these areas are trading quickly and, in some cases, attracting multiple offers and prices above asking.
At the same time, other parts of Brooklyn that account for a larger share of total transaction volume have seen more new inventory, less traffic, and greater buyer negotiating leverage. That divergence pulls down borough-wide activity metrics, even as prime brownstone areas remain highly competitive.
The result is a two-speed Brooklyn market: one defined by scarcity and competition in established brownstone neighborhoods, and another where buyers have more leverage and negotiations are more common.
Park Slope Market Snapshot
Park Slope continues to operate as a scarcity-driven market. In early 2026, Park Slope listings, particularly townhouses and well-renovated condos, are seeing strong buyer engagement, quick absorption, and, in some cases, multiple offers and prices above asking. Supply remains extremely limited relative to demand, insulating the neighborhood from broader volatility seen elsewhere in Brooklyn.
While borough-wide Brooklyn metrics suggest a slower pace of activity, the Park Slope market continues to be quite strong. Outcomes remain highly sensitive to pricing and presentation, but well-positioned homes are still being rewarded with competitive bidding and decisive action.
Implications
Across both boroughs, outcomes are increasingly property- and location-specific. The difference between a fast sale and a prolonged marketing period is less about the broader market and more about pricing strategy, condition, and neighborhood context.
For buyers, opportunities exist, but patience and selectivity matter.
For sellers, success depends on understanding which market your property is actually competing in, not simply relying on borough-wide averages.
Summary
The market continues to function in an orderly way. Buyer behavior has become more differentiated by neighborhood and product type, and outcomes are increasingly influenced by pricing discipline and execution.
I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter and find the research, articles, and local events helpful. As always, I’m here if I can be a resource.
Thank you, as always, for your trust, continued confidence, and the opportunity to work with many of you.
If you’re considering a move, or simply curious about your options, feel free to reach out for a no-pressure conversation tailored to your goals.
All the Best,
Steve
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