I would like to introduce myself, my name is Marc Gerber and I have been with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (previously Tri-Crest Realty) for over 30 years. In that time, along with selling throughout Westchester, I have been fortunate enough to be the leader in single-family home sales in the Eastchester School District.
This article focuses on the current Eastchester housing market, which continues to defy expectations as it pushes further into 2026, a momentum that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to grow. Over the past several years, single-family home prices in the area have risen more than 30%, with an expected additional average increase of approximately 5% for homes marketed and waiting to close. For many observers, the reaction is simple: wow.
While other regions across the country have begun to level off or even cool, the Northeast—particularly Westchester County—remains an outlier. The reasons behind this sustained growth are less about regional pride and more about basic economics.
At the core of the issue is inventory—or rather, the lack of it.
During the pandemic, historically low mortgage rates, dipping to around 2.65% in 2021, encouraged a wave of home purchases and refinancing. Fast forward to 2024, and rates climbed to over 7%. That dramatic shift created a “lock-in effect,” discouraging current homeowners from selling. Instead of moving up, many Eastchester residents chose to stay put, investing in renovations and home expansions rather than entering a competitive and costly market and taking on significantly higher borrowing costs.
So, who is selling?
Current sellers in Eastchester largely fall into three categories:
- Downsizing Retirees (65+)
Many longtime homeowners are choosing to cash out of the market. Often “house rich but cash poor,” these sellers are unlocking equity to fund retirement or relocate to more affordable regions of the country.
- Tax-Conscious Movers
Some families are leaving Westchester for areas where property taxes are significantly lower—often around 1% of a home’s value compared to as much as 4% in some Westchester municipalities. The financial difference can be staggering: trading $35,000 in annual taxes for $3,500 is, for many, a life-changing decision.
- Life-Driven Sellers
Job relocation, career changes, or financial pressures continue to drive a smaller portion of home sellers to move to more affordable parts of the country where the cost of living is considerably less.
Despite these motivations, overall transaction volume has remained relatively steady. The number of homes sold in 2025 was not significantly different from 2024. Yet prices continue to rise. Why?
A major factor in 2026 has been a renewed migration out of New York City, expanding the buyer pool in suburban markets like Eastchester. Increased demand, combined with limited supply, has intensified competition to unprecedented levels. At my recent open houses, we are drawing close to 100 buyers, averaging 12 offers per property, and final sale prices reaching as much as 15% above asking. In some extreme cases across the county, homes have reportedly sold for up to $1 million over list price.
For sellers, it’s an extraordinary opportunity. For buyers, it’s a daunting challenge.
Meanwhile, other parts of the country are seeing more mixed conditions. Markets that once kept pace with the Northeast are now experiencing slower growth or stabilization, as increased inventory and shifting affordability open new opportunities elsewhere.
Will Eastchester eventually follow suit?
History suggests that no market stays elevated forever. A shift will likely occur when either selling becomes too attractive to ignore or when buyers begin to resist escalating prices. But as for when that turning point will arrive—no one can say for certain.
For now, the Eastchester market remains firmly in the seller’s favor, fueled by scarcity, strong demand, and continued migration trends. As 2026 unfolds, one thing is clear: it’s shaping up to be a year of intensity, opportunity, and rapid change.
Coming next: strategies for navigating this competitive market—and a closer look at what continues to make Eastchester such a desirable place to call home.
