Tag: manhattan
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Bess Freedman Breaks Down the Housing Affordability Challenge
Appearing on CNBC to discuss the state of U.S. housing affordability, Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman offered a clear-eyed assessment of why homeownership remains out of reach for so many Americans—and what it will take to fix it. “Affordability remains a real challenge in the United States. The average first-time homebuyer today is 40…
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Affordability Is Not a Pricing Problem. It’s a Supply Problem, and Policy Keeps Missing the Root Cause.
Affordability has become the dominant lens through which New Yorkers talk about housing. It shaped the most recent mayoral campaign, and it has been the stated objective of housing policy for decades. Yet despite sustained attention and repeated interventions, the cost of living, particularly rents, has continued to rise. That’s not because policymakers lack intent.…
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What Brown Harris Stevens Leaders and Agents See Ahead for New York Real Estate in 2026
As New York City heads into 2026, the housing market is settling into a familiar but evolving rhythm—competitive, selective, and increasingly shaped by buyers with significant financial flexibility. In Curbed’s recent look at broker predictions for the year ahead, Brown Harris Stevens executives and agents offered an unfiltered view of where the market stands now and where…
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NYC Real Estate Outlook for 2026: Lessons from 2025 and What’s Ahead
As 2025 comes to a close, New York City’s real estate market finds itself at an important inflection point. The past year was defined by recalibration — buyers and sellers adjusting expectations, interest rates remaining elevated, and inventory staying tight across many neighborhoods. But as we look ahead, the narrative is shifting. In a recent CityRealty…
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Is Manhattan Losing Residents? Separating Headlines From Reality
We’ve all seen headlines at various points warning of a mass “exodus” from Manhattan. Over the years, Manhattan has been counted out many times, only to reinvent itself time and again. Claims of an exodus may make for good clickbait, but they don’t reflect what’s actually happening. The reality is far more nuanced. Yes, New…
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Kitchen Confidential: 5 Kitchens Made for Gathering
We’re in that stretch of the year when the kitchen quietly becomes the center of everything. It’s where meals come together, and friends and family naturally gather. No matter what or how you celebrate, the kitchen always ends up as the star of the show. From hosting to everyday living, these five BHS listings highlight…
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How BHS is Giving Back this Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time for generosity, community, and connection—and at Brown Harris Stevens, the holiday season was spent giving back. Across our offices, agents and teams are coming together to support neighbors in need through coat drives, toy collections, and charitable partnerships. Here’s how BHS is making an impact this season. New York…
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What Yesterday’s Fed Cut Means for NYC Real Estate in 2026
Yesterday, the Federal Reserve issued a widely expected 25-basis-point rate cut — its third consecutive reduction — bringing the benchmark rate to its lowest level in three years. But while borrowing costs moved lower, the tone was unmistakably cautious. As CNBC previewed ahead of the meeting, this turned out to be a true “hawkish cut”— a…
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The Power of Choosing Yourself: A Powerful Conversation with Julia Haart
In Episode 108 of Simonsen Says, host Simonsen welcomes an extraordinary guest whose life story redefines the concept of reinvention: Julia Haart—entrepreneur, fashion icon, author, and fearless advocate for self-determination. From the very start of the conversation, it’s clear that Haart’s journey is not one of surface-level transformation, but of profound personal courage and resilience. What begins as…
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The Line: The Fed Cut Rates Another 0.25%
Today, The Line tries to fight through a nasty stomach virus to bring you the latest from the Fed. The Fed Cut Rates Another 0.25% By a 9-3 vote, the Federal Reserve approved a 25-basis point reduction in the federal funds rate. It’s worth noting that the last time 3 committee members dissented was September 2019. In case you’re curious, two of the dissenters were against…