With 2025 behind us, we now have some perspective on how the market is starting to shake out, and we begin to look ahead with some educated ideas of where 2026 may be heading in terms of real estate.
To look back: The year wrapped up with many legislative policy changes. Merrill Lynch’s implementation of tax plans included a mix of permanent extensions of 2017 tax cuts and new, temporary provisions that Governor Hochul and Albany sought to block. There was a lot to digest — and even more to chew on in the coming months.
Standard deductions increased, and in particular, SALT itemized deductions were temporarily raised.
But something even more notable happened: Despite predictions of slowdowns, the NYC real estate market achieved astronomical volumes and sales prices in the typically quieter summer “off-season.” This resilience reflected continued investor confidence in New York as a capitalist hub, even amid the socialist-leaning policies in city government.
To me, one of the things that sets New York City apart — from many other cities, countries, or regions—is its core capitalist drive. Love it or hate it, it’s a fundamental motivator of human ambition. Think: Darwin’s the survival of the fittest.
What is amazing as well is that anyone from anywhere on the planet can come here and reinvent themselves, building wealth and forging a new identity, including a family legacy. Real estate has proven to be one of the most effective vehicles for generating strong, long-term wealth, so why wouldn’t it also become one of the biggest commodities to trade in the world? Spoiler alert: It has.
I, too, was an immigrant who came to this country with little more than a dream and a drive — which were everything. Like many, I’ve transformed my life through the American Dream, recreating myself in a place with no preconceived history and glass ceiling.
While I can’t predict what will unfold in NYC with our incoming mayor (Zohran Mamdani, who takes office on January 1, 2026), I can emphasize how important the dream of bettering oneself with hard work, gumption, and heart remains. The American Dream should stay at the forefront of all our city and state policies, regardless of who is in office. Whether capitalist or socialist in outlook, countless immigrants like me have come to NYC from far-off places to build something lasting. We have integrated and rallied through periods of discord and disconnection, finding equilibrium in our adopted home.
In a spirited way, these vignettes create a very rich tapestry for the year ahead.
One of the key predictions I see for 2026 is: Gone are the days of “listing gatekeeping.” The ‘Tokenization of 2026’ refers to a widely anticipated inflection point (not tied to a single law or event) in which real-world assets, including real estate, move at scale onto blockchain platforms, functioning like digital securities.
Tokenized assets are traded on open yet regulated (permissioned) platforms, providing qualified buyers with direct access to offerings. As a result, fractional ownership lowers barriers, removing the question of “who can afford it.”
This year favors a broker who can interpret data like an analyst, negotiate like a diplomat, and market property like a tech entrepreneur.
Our buyers expect real-time valuations, AI-powered negotiations, 3D-visualizations that vary by time of day, and predictive due diligence — all before they ever view a property in person.
In that vein, tokenized title transfer and instant cross-border settlement will speed up transactions. Crypto and other blockchain technologies free transactions from the limitations of “bankers’ hours.” Additionally, fractional ownership makes luxury properties accessible to different forms of acquisition.
The traditional 90-day closing process will become obsolete in 2026. Brokers who are unable to deliver a 10-year ROI, carbon efficiency commentary, or local political risk assessment in under 30 seconds will be left behind. Closing within seven days (or less) will be the new standard; anything lower will be considered outdated.
Merely keeping pace will be as if you are lagging behind. So, here’s to a dynamic, fast-paced, and prosperous year ahead!
I would like to acknowledge all the people in our sphere who have trusted us with their transactions — some laughing, much learning, and definitely growing together along the way. Each one of you has made a profound impact! Thank you to each deal which has been an opportunity for us to expand and cultivate more knowledge and reach by you.
As we enter 2026 and beyond, I would like to wish you a meaningful year filled with empathy, momentum, and joy — forward, together.
