In Brooklyn, townhome living has seen a remarkable rise in popularity, reflecting a shift in buyer preferences toward more space, character, and community-oriented neighborhoods. We spoke with The Agency New York’s Ashlie Roberson to get an insider’s take on what’s driving the demand for townhomes in Brooklyn and the key features buyers are seeking.
What factors are driving the surge in demand for townhomes in Brooklyn?
Brooklyn as a whole has been more in demand since 2020. Buyers value tree-lined streets, a stronger sense of community, and more interesting architecture. In regards to townhouses specifically, the space is a huge piece of the draw as well as the historic charm. Depending on the neighborhood, many of these homes still have original crown moldings and architectural details.
How does townhome living differ from traditional full-service buildings?
The biggest factor would be the ability to fully customize the home. Do you want full building water filtration? That would be very rare to find in a full-service building, but more easily installed in a townhouse.
Are there specific neighborhoods where townhomes are especially popular?
Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Cobble Hill, and Clinton Hill are very well known for their townhouses. The Upper West Side of Manhattan has many “townhouse blocks” too.
What features do buyers look for most in Brooklyn townhomes?
Charm! We had a listing on one of the “fruit streets” in Brooklyn Heights that had original moldings with the different fruits incorporated into the moldings. Larger backyard space is big too. Having a 40-foot-long backyard is difficult to find in a full-service building, but exists in a lot of townhouses. Also, tall ceilings. A parlor floor of a townhouse can easily have 10+ ft ceilings. This makes the space feel much larger.
Do you foresee any shifts in the demand for townhomes versus other property types in Brooklyn?
I do not foresee a shift in demand as the demand is very high in these neighborhoods for all property types below $5M. Days on market are very low, in fact, for almost all of my listings this year, I had offers at or above the listing price within the first week on the market.
For more insight into current market trends and the world’s most dynamic real estate destinations, browse our other recent In the Knows:
Why Wellington, Florida is a Top-Rated Destination for Families;
An Essential Guide to Purchasing Equestrian Properties;
Why Millennials Are Moving to Bend, Oregon;
Who is Buying Property in Barcelona Now;
and Today’s Golf Course Home Market, Palm Beach to Palm Springs.
