What is going on with New York Real Estate: Buy or sell ?
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The Billionaires are leaving New York in Perpetration of Zohran's Housing plan to combat Affordability Crisis
On December 9, 2025, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani convened a closed-door meeting with approximately two dozen real estate executives, including developers, investors, and lenders, to address the city's housing crisis.
Zohran Mamdani's Recent Meeting with Real Estate Executives:
The gathering, held in Lower Manhattan, focused on strategies to increase affordable housing supply while discussing potential policy measures like rent freezes and delays in new housing approvals. Participants included members from the Partnership for New York City and real estate industry groups, marking an early engagement between the incoming administration and business leaders. Mamdani emphasized collaborative approaches to cut red tape and boost production, though specifics on timelines remained vague.
The NY Affordability Crisis Driving Mamdani's Housing Agenda
New York City's housing market faces persistent affordability challenges maximum rents at 80 percent AMI.
Manhattan rents hit record highs in November 2025, exacerbating the crisis where production is geographically uneven and affordable units comprise only a fraction of new builds. The city completed 27,620 affordable units in 2024 through capital programs, including new construction and preservation, according to the New York Housing Conference's 2025 Tracker Report. Mamdani's plan aims to tackle these disparities by prioritizing equitable distribution across neighborhoods.
Billionaires' Responsed Threating Exodus from NYC Amid Mamdani Policy Uncertainty
Wealthy New Yorkers have voiced concerns over potential tax increases under Mamdani's administration, with some threatening relocation to lower-tax states. However, data from 2020-2021 indicates the city gained about 10,000 millionaires during similar periods of uncertainty, countering claims of a mass departure.
Affluent residents highlight the arduous process of avoiding state and city taxes, including audits and residency requirements, as a deterrent to leaving. While some high-earners relocate to suburbs or other regions to mitigate costs, overall trends show resilience in New York's wealthy population.
Buy or Sell NYC Real Estate in 2026?
Inventory and Mortgage Rate Factors
The U.S. housing market in 2026 is expected to see slowly cooling prices with rising inventory, according to Ramsey Solutions' forecast. In New York, home sales dipped 0.7 percent year-over-year, but NYC bucked the trend with increased activity. Experts recommend buying in December 2025 for better deals, as per a Yahoo Finance analysis from December 8.
The week of October 12-18, 2025, was highlighted as prime buying time by NAR, with surrounding weeks offering advantages. Manhattan's record rents in November underscore selling opportunities in luxury segments.
Mamdani's Housing Plan: Rent Freezes and Production Delays Discussed
During the December 9 meeting, Mamdani outlined potential rent freezes and delays in approving new housing, aiming to address affordability gaps where new units exceed AMI thresholds for most New Yorkers.
Overall, the market shows resilience, but affordability remains a key concern.








