Weekly Market Pulse: February Cooling After Early Strength

The market moderated this week following early February momentum. Contract activity pulled back across both boroughs, reflecting typical mid-month normalization rather than structural weakness.

The Howard Hanna NYC Consumer Sentiment Index softened from +33% to +4%, indicating buyers are recalibrating but not exiting. Financing conditions remain stable, and absorption remains active in core submarkets.

Outlook: Expect a measured acceleration into early March as spring inventory expands.

Strategic Takeaways

• Supply remains controlled across both boroughs

• Signed contracts softened but remain within healthy ranges

• New development activity is strengthening in well-priced projects

• March inventory expansion will determine short-term trajectory

For buyers: selective leverage opportunities are emerging before competition intensifies.
For sellers: precision pricing remains the single most important strategy.

Manhattan Supply: Inventory Stable, Pipeline Still Below 2025

Manhattan active inventory held steady at 5,350 homes (0.7% WoW | –5.3% YoY). Supply remains structurally below last year despite minor week-over-week growth. New listings rose to 274 units (+5.4% WoW | –23% YoY). While weekly additions improved, the annual comparison shows sellers are still cautious.

This indicates controlled supply conditions heading into spring. Without a meaningful surge in listings, pricing stability should persist in well-located segments.

Brooklyn Supply:  Gradual Expansion, Orderly Growth

Brooklyn inventory increased modestly to 2,960 homes (+1.4% WoW | +3.3% YoY), maintaining an orderly growth trajectory. New listings climbed to 190 units (+19% WoW | +2% YoY), suggesting sellers are beginning to test the market ahead of peak season. Brooklyn continues to show balanced expansion rather than oversupply. Liquidity remains borough-specific and highly neighborhood-driven.

Manhattan Pending Sales: Decreased -0.4% WoW to 2,741 units

Brooklyn Pending Sales: Increased -0.1% WoW to 1,659 units

Manhattan and Brooklyn pending sales remained essentially stable week over week, with only marginal declines indicating steady buyer engagement rather than a shift in market sentiment.

Photo by Rihards Gederts | Howard Hanna NYC

Manhattan Consumer Sentiment: Pullback Into Neutral Territory

Manhattan recorded 191 signed contracts (-16.2% WoW | +2% YoY). Weekly volume declined as February progressed, softening near-term momentum.

The Howard Hanna NYC Manhattan Consumer Sentiment Index moved from +13% to -5%. While slightly negative week over week, the year-over-year increase in signed contracts confirms underlying demand remains intact. Expect sentiment to stabilize as new inventory enters in March.

Brooklyn Consumer Sentiment: Still Elevated, But Cooling

Brooklyn logged 112 signed contracts (-16.4% WoW | -7% YoY). The Howard Hanna NYC Brooklyn Sentiment Index declined from +82% to +52%, reflecting moderation rather than reversal.

Brooklyn continues to show relative resilience versus historical averages, though momentum has slowed into late February. Spring supply will be the next directional catalyst.

New Development Insights: Selective Demand Continues

According to Marketproof data, new development activity recorded 28 signed contracts across 23 buildings during the week of 2/16/26. While deal flow moderated from earlier February levels, buyers remain active in well-positioned, competitively priced projects.

Top-performing developments included:

• 608 Ocean Ave (Prospect Park South) – 3 contracts

• The Strathmore (Yorkville) – 2 contracts

Transaction volume continues to concentrate in strong locations where pricing aligns with today’s financing environment. The takeaway is not expansion, but disciplined absorption. Buyers are transacting, but underwriting remains selective.

If you would like to chat about the most recent market activity,

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.