By Jacques Ambron, Licensed Real Estate Broker | Brown Harris Stevens
After 45 years in this business, I've watched Queens get overlooked, underestimated, and underpriced — and then quietly outperform every prediction. We're in one of those moments again right now.
If you're thinking about buying, selling, or investing in 2026, here's what you need to know about the Queens market.
The Numbers Tell the Story
The median house sale price in Queens hit $820,000 — up 4.8% year-over-year. Co-ops, which remain one of the most affordable entry points into homeownership in the borough, are holding steady at around $335,000.
Inventory is tightening. There are currently 6,652 homes available for sale compared to 7,205 a year ago, while the average number of homes selling each month has actually increased to 772 from 760. That's the classic setup for a seller's market: fewer homes, more buyers.
Queens Is NYC's Most Dynamic Market Right Now
That's not my opinion — it's what the data shows. Queens had a standout performance recently, with 396 homes entering contract — a 17.5% increase — boosted in particular by strong co-op activity in Forest Hills, Jackson Heights, and Rego Park.
Neighborhoods like Forest Hills, Bayside, Astoria, and Sunnyside continue to benefit from solid local demand and relative affordability compared to Manhattan and Brooklyn, with family-oriented neighborhoods seeing stronger competition for single-family homes.
I've been selling in Forest Hills for decades. The demand for well-maintained co-ops and single-family homes there is as strong as I've seen it in years.
What's Driving It
Three things are fueling Queens right now:
Value relative to Manhattan. In outer boroughs like Queens, price growth may outpace the citywide average due to increasing interest from first-time buyers and investors seeking value in emerging neighborhoods. When buyers get priced out of Brooklyn and Manhattan, they discover Queens — and they don't look back.
Inventory is still historically tight. Despite a year-over-year increase of nearly 15% in Queens listings, the most desirable properties are still selling at or above asking price, reflecting continued competition. More inventory doesn't mean easier pickings — it means buyers finally have something to choose from, but well-priced homes are going fast.
Strong investment fundamentals. Queens neighborhoods currently offer gross rental yields of 4% to 5.5%, supported by growing tenant demand and expanding infrastructure. For investors, that's hard to find anywhere else in the five boroughs.
What This Means for Sellers
If you've been sitting on a property in Forest Hills, Rego Park, Jackson Heights, or surrounding neighborhoods, this is your window. Buyers will get choice in 2026, not bargains — and finding a deal will get more difficult. The best-priced properties continue to dominate showing traffic.
Price it right, present it well, and you will sell. Overprice it, and it sits. I've seen that story play out thousands of times in this borough.
What This Means for Buyers
Stop waiting for rates to drop to 4%. It's not happening anytime soon. Mortgage rates are expected to stabilize, and buyers who paused during rate volatility are returning to the market. The buyers who act now lock in today's prices. Those who wait risk chasing a market that's moved above them.
Queens remains one of the few places in New York City where a first-time buyer can realistically get into the market, build equity, and actually live well. That window doesn't stay open forever.
Jacques Ambron is a licensed real estate broker at Brown Harris Stevens with over 45 years of experience and 450+ transactions across Queens, Manhattan, and Nassau County. He grew up in Forest Hills and has been selling there his entire career.
📧 jambron@bhsusa.com | 🌐 realtorjacques.com
Thinking about buying or selling in Queens? Let's talk.
Want me to also draft a short version for social media (LinkedIn/Instagram caption), or write a second post targeting Forest Hills specifically?