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Let's call it a creative workaround to capitalism. Or maybe The Golden Girls effect? In a city where rents never seem to stop rising, New Yorkers are getting clever when it comes to buying property.
According to a new report from StreetEasy, one of the real estate trends to look for in 2026 is groups pooling their money and resources to purchase homes together. This goes beyond the usual couple dynamic to include friends, siblings and extended family looking to snag a foothold in the five boroughs.
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This shift is more than a workaround for mortgage rates. StreetEasy’s report found that 56% of prospective buyers are planning to purchase with a co-buyer. Out of that number, 9% will team up with friends and 6% with relatives. That “third way” of co-ownership—neither solo nor coupled—is about to help reshape how homes are bought and how life is lived in NYC’s tight market.
It’s not just about splitting a down payment. Many of these buyers are eyeing multi-family properties with separate units that support both independence and cooperation. Shared ownership lets co-buyers trade individual financial burdens for a community-oriented lifestyle, sharing closing costs, maintenance and mortgage payments. For families with aging parents or siblings looking to stay close, it also opens the door to multigenerational ownership. With this model, older adults can downsize within the city without giving up their routines and access to all that NYC has to offer.
StreetEasy's forecast also calls for the 2026 housing market to be both faster and tighter, with sales expected to hit their highest levels since 2022 and homes moving quickly. Renters won’t catch much of a break (surprise): high costs and a slow labor market will keep many put, pushing rents higher and vacancies lower. And look for new developments to emerge as the more affordable rental option, as pre-war apartments continue outpacing them in rent hikes. With renters opting not to purchase, buildings with communal spaces like rooftop decks, party rooms and basketball courts are poised to become the new standard rather than a luxury perk.
In 2026, more New Yorkers may find that the path to owning a piece of the city may look a bit differently. But it's New York City, the nexus of reinvention. Why should home ownership be any different?
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