Year-End Momentum Surfaces as Inventory Tightens Across NYC

The final full reporting week of 2025 delivered a notable late-season push across both Manhattan and Brooklyn. While inventory continued to contract sharply as sellers stepped back for the holidays, buyer activity accelerated, driving meaningful gains in pending sales and signed contracts. Manhattan posted a particularly strong surge in consumer sentiment, while Brooklyn closed the year with resilient momentum and broad-based demand. Reflecting this shift, the Howard Hanna NYC Consumer Sentiment Index increased from +13% to +36%, signaling a strong year-end release of pent-up demand ahead of the January reset.

Outlook: Closing 2025 with Tight Supply and Active Buyers

With inventory now firmly constrained and most new listings delayed until January, the remainder of December will be defined by motivated buyers competing over limited opportunities. Manhattan and Brooklyn are both entering 2026 with lean supply pipelines and renewed buyer engagement, setting the stage for a more active first quarter once listings return post-holidays.

Manhattan Supply: Inventory Compression Defines Year-End Conditions

Manhattan’s active inventory declined for the fifth consecutive week, falling to 5,501 homes (–6.4% WoW, –3.5% YoY). New listings dropped to 82 units (–28% WoW, –31% YoY), reinforcing the traditional December pattern as sellers pause until the new year. Tight supply is now the defining feature of Manhattan’s year-end market.

Brooklyn Supply: Sharp Holiday Pullback Confirms Seasonal Close

Brooklyn supply decreased to 3,118 homes (–4.4% WoW, +4.6% YoY), marking its seventh straight weekly decline. New listings fell to 82 units (–33% WoW, –19% YoY), reversing last week’s brief uptick and confirming that most sellers have effectively closed out 2025.

Manhattan Pending Sales: Pending sales jumped 5.8% to 3,054 units, signaling strong buyer follow-through even as inventory reaches year-end lows. This late-season activity reflects urgency among buyers positioning ahead of January pricing dynamics

Brooklyn Pending Sales: Brooklyn pending sales rose 4.79% to 1,861 units, pointing to a more active close to 2025 than typical for mid-December and reinforcing the borough’s relative strength

Photo by Rihards Gederts | Howard Hanna NYC

Manhattan Consumer Sentiment: Pent-Up Demand Releases Before Year-End

Contracts signed surged to 242 (+21% WoW, +13% YoY), pushing the Manhattan Consumer Sentiment Index from +3% to +24%. This spike reflects a late-fall release of pent-up demand and likely represents the final high-activity window before holiday quiet fully sets in.

Brooklyn Consumer Sentiment: Strong Finish Caps 2025

Brooklyn recorded 132 signed contracts (+29% WoW, +11% YoY), lifting the Sentiment Index from +32% to +71%. The data points to a notably strong finish for Brooklyn, supported by local demand, competitive pricing, and limited resale supply.

New Development Insights 

Marketproof tracked 50 new development contracts across 39 buildings. Top performers included:

• The Strathmore (Yorkville) signed 4 deals

• The Greenwich By Rafael Vinoly (Financial District) signed 3 deals.

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feel free to contact us at [email protected] or connect with one of our Advisors.

Howard Hanna NYC brings the nation’s largest independent and family-owned brokerage to New York City, uniting the strength of a national network with the insight and sophistication of a local firm. Formed through joining forces with Elegran Real Estate, Howard Hanna NYC delivers a seamless, full-service experience backed by more than 15,000 agents across 500 offices in 14 states. The firm’s forward-thinking, agent-first culture continues to shape the future of real estate across Manhattan and the Tri-State area.Learn more at www.howardhannanyc.com.