The Conversation I Keep Having

The conversation I'm having most often with Brooklyn sellers this spring goes something like this: they've been watching their neighborhood carefully, they know what a home two blocks away sold for in 2022, and they want to know why I'm not recommending a similar price.

The short answer is that the 2022 market was an anomaly. Low inventory, compressed rates, and pandemic-era demand created a pricing environment that hasn't been replicated. Sellers who price to 2022 benchmarks in 2026 are setting themselves up for a difficult experience.

For the data behind what Brooklyn inventory actually looks like right now, see Brooklyn inventory and days-on-market data.

What's Working for Sellers Right Now

The sellers I'm seeing succeed in spring 2026 have a few things in common. They priced based on the last 90 days of comparable sales — not last year, not 2022, not what their neighbor thinks. They prepared the home carefully: fresh paint, clean floors, decluttered spaces, real photography.

They also had realistic expectations about timeline. A well-prepared, well-priced Brooklyn home is still moving. But "moving" in this market means two to four weeks under the right conditions — not two days with ten offers.

For a full breakdown of what sellers should expect this season, see what sellers should expect this spring.

The Manhattan and Westchester Comparison

Some Brooklyn sellers are also evaluating whether to make a move themselves — to Manhattan or out to Westchester. That conversation is more common than it used to be, especially for families whose Brooklyn space needs have outgrown the current home.

What I tell those sellers: the equity they've built in Brooklyn is real and meaningful. The question is whether the next move makes financial sense in the current environment. For a fuller treatment of how the three markets compare, see how Brooklyn compares to Manhattan and Westchester.

Frequently Asked Questions