As we enter a new year, I’m filled with gratitude for the trust, partnership, and conversations that shaped 2025. Every deal, every challenge, every moment of collaboration reminded me how much this work depends on relationships, and how fortunate I am for the people I get to share it with.

Thank you for being a meaningful part of this journey. I’m excited for what’s ahead—for the opportunities we’ll create, the homes we’ll help shape, and the new chapters waiting in 2026.

Wishing you a healthy and joyful New Year, and one rich with possibility.

With gratitude,

Bahar

Thank you for joining me in the first newsletter of 2026. Here’s what I’m covering today:

I’ve spent the past few weeks in places that stay with you: magical Oaxaca, with its warm colors, craft, and extraordinary food; Cabo, with its vast ocean, brilliant light, and peaceful calm; India, where the Taj Mahal and the palaces of Rajasthan feel almost unreal in their beauty; and Hong Kong, alive with energy yet framed by mountains and stunning water vistas. Each destination had its own magic.

But returning to New York is always a homecoming. I'm grateful to call this city my own. It's a place where culture, curiosity, pace, and possibility come together in a way unlike anywhere else.

And 2026 promises to bring even more into the fold. New York will help lead the country’s 250th-birthday celebrations, welcome the FIFA World Cup with New York at the heart of the U.S./Canada/Mexico co-hosted spectacle, eight matches and the final staged in this region, and start the year under new leadership with Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration on January 1.

It’s a moment where global events, cultural milestones, and political change converge. I'm excited for this new chapter.

Manhattan enters 2026 with steady momentum at the top of the market. Contract activity strengthened meaningfully in 2025, pricing remained disciplined, and buyers continued to prioritize quality, location, and turnkey condition over everything else. Inventory is slowly rebuilding, which will create more opportunity. The best homes will continue to command attention.

Bahar's Take: In 2026, the market rewards preparedness. The best opportunities go to buyers who act decisively when the right home appears & sellers who price realistically to stay ahead of the market.

For anyone planning a move, clear momentum across key housing metrics signals greater opportunities next year and beyond. If you’re curious how early 2026 trends may affect your home or your search, I’m here for a conversation anytime.

2025 ended with 1,436 luxury contracts signed — up 11% from the year before.

$11.98 Billion: total dollar volume reached, up from $11.16 billion last year.

2025: the second-strongest year for luxury sales since tracking began in 2006.

2021: the benchmark - the pandemic rebound year- when sales totaled nearly $16 billion

The uptick in activity was likely driven in part by more favorable pricing. Average asking prices declined 4% year over year, and improved value has consistently proven to be a powerful catalyst for demand.

Market momentum was further supported by a strong year on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 reaching multiple record highs.

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What I’m Watching in 2026:

• Continued demand for turnkey, high-quality product in prime locations

• Shifts in buyer behavior with lower mortgage rates

• Sellers becoming more realistic with pricing

A small selection of the homes we had the privilege to represent in 2025.

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