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The Pinpointe Post
January 2026 Edition
Rachel Fiegler
January 20, 2026
Welcome Message from Josh & Rachel
Hello from the Pinpointe team!
Happy January. New year, same NYC housing chaos, but the same need for clear, honest info about what’s actually happening in NYC housing.
January is usually a reset month. Renters are reassessing after the holidays, buyers are easing back in, and a lot of people are thinking ahead instead of reacting.
As we head into 2026, we’re continuing to grow and refine NYCbound, our relocation offering for startups and new hires, while staying deeply rooted in our core brokerage work supporting NYC renters and buyers. At the same time, we’re gearing up for our next phase of expansion, including a Q2 goal of bringing this work into New Jersey. Same expertise, broader footprint, more ways to help people land well.
As always, thank you for reading. Are you enjoying this? Anything you want us to add — or cut? And quick reminder: we offer a $100 gift card for any referral that results in a signed lease or buy/sell deal or for an intro to your HR team or any startup that could use our relocation program.
Happy reading!
Rachel & Josh
Cofounders, Pinpointe Group
Recent Highlights
📝 From our blog
🎙️ Podcast Feature
This episode is for anyone who’s moved to NYC, is thinking about it, or knows someone who has. Almost everyone has a friend, partner, coworker, or new hire who underestimated how disruptive a move here can be.
We break down the real cost of relocation — not just money, but time, productivity, and stress — and why it often becomes a much bigger deal than people expect.
It’s a great listen if you want to understand what moving to NYC really takes, or if you’re deciding whether this is something you (or your company) should be handling alone.
For the Ugly Talk competition (where the winner gets a Manhattan billboard), Rachel and Josh had toshared the ugliest moment of 2025.
Ours? The FARE Act. It was painful, disruptive, and forced a lot of hard conversations — but it also pushed us to rethink how we support people moving to NYC.
That moment directly led to NYCbound, our relocation offering for startups and new hires. Sometimes the ugliest moments end up changing everything.
🏙️ Neighborhood Highlight: Astoria, Queens
Astoria is one of those neighborhoods people move to “temporarily” and then never leave. It’s social, well‑connected, and feels like a real community — not just a collection of apartments.
What we love: the food scene punches way above its weight, the waterfront is underrated, and you get space without giving up access to Manhattan.
Median 1-bedroom purchase price: $456,600
Median 1-bedroom rent: $3,390
Hidden gem: grab a coffee and pastry from a small local café on Ditmars — fewer lines, better vibes.
💡 Renter’s Corner
If you’re renting and trying to build credit, your rent can actually help — if it’s being reported.
Use rent‑reporting platforms that share positive payment history with credit bureaus
Especially helpful for expats or anyone without US credit history
Consistent on‑time rent can strengthen future rental and purchase applications
Pro tip: services like Esusu and BoomPay can make your rent work for you instead of disappearing every month. If you want help figuring out what landlords actually care about, just reply.
📊 Market Pulse: December 2025
Winter slowdown, but not a freeze.
💸 Rental Rundown:
Manhattan rents remain elevated heading into 2026, with well-priced units — especially one-beds — still moving quickly despite the seasonal slowdown.
Brooklyn rents continue to hold firm, with competition concentrated in popular neighborhoods close to Manhattan and near major transit.
Queens is still the relative value borough, but steady demand means prices are climbing here too, particularly in transit-friendly areas.
🧾 Sales Snapshot:
Manhattan: Sales activity increased year‑over‑year in December, with stronger movement in lower‑priced apartments and well‑maintained co‑ops compared to higher‑end inventory.
Brooklyn: Demand remains concentrated in mid‑market price points, where co‑ops and smaller condos continue to see steady buyer interest.
Queens: Inventory growth is giving buyers more choice, though well‑priced units are still moving faster than sellers expect.
🔑 What It Means for You:
Renters: expect continued pricing pressure as we move closer to peak season, so renew early if you can or be ready to move fast.
Buyers: more inventory helps, but strong demand means value and condition still matter more than list price.
📰 News You Can Use
Hip young locals are flocking to live in FiDi — 2026’s hottest new nabe, for the first time ever
FiDi is attracting renters who want newer buildings, full-service amenities, and some of the best transit access in the city. As more office workers return downtown, the neighborhood is feeling livelier outside of traditional work hours. Increased inventory has also given renters more options than in years past. If you’ve written FiDi off before, it might be worth another look. Read more here.
The pros and cons of renting in a NYC condo or co-op building
Renting in a condo or co-op isn’t the same as renting in a standard rental building. Approval timelines, application requirements, and board rules can vary widely and catch renters off guard. Understanding the differences upfront can save weeks of frustration — and prevent deals from falling apart. This is required reading before applying. Read more here.
Here are the 10 NYC neighborhoods where housing inventory is rising fastest
Some NYC neighborhoods are seeing inventory grow faster than the citywide average. More listings can mean more negotiating room and less competition, especially for renters and first-time buyers. That said, not all inventory is created equal — pricing and condition still matter. Use this as a starting point, not a shortcut. Read more here.
🤝 Connect With Us
Have questions about buying or renting in NYC? We're here to help!
And don’t forget: you’ll get a $100 gift card for any referral that turns into a closed deal, or for connecting us with your HR team or a startup that needs relocation support.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 917-633-6935
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