The February numbers are in, and Northwest Queens is officially shaking off the winter chill. Across Astoria, Long Island City, and Sunnyside, we are seeing a strategic rebalancing as we head into the peak spring season. From surging inventory to a massive spike in buyer commitment, the data reveals a market that is primed for a very active 2026.
Astoria: The Flight to Quality
The Astoria market in February was characterized by a push toward high-value inventory. While the total volume of closed sales softened slightly to $41.6M, the underlying metrics tell a story of growing confidence:
- Pricing Power: The average asking price for new listings jumped to $1,617,909, reflecting a 62% increase over January’s averages.
- Co-op Velocity: Co-ops have become the neighborhood’s fastest-moving asset class, with Average Days on Market (DOM) plummeting from 121 to just 54 days.
- The Condo Opportunity: While condos are taking a bit longer to sell (95 days on average), they currently offer a more accessible Average PPSF of $1,047 compared to last year’s peaks.
Long Island City: Inventory Rebound
LIC remains the region’s heavyweight, and February saw a dramatic influx of new options for buyers. This neighborhood continues to buck broader trends with its unique mix of luxury and efficiency.
- Inventory Surge: New listings jumped nearly 80% month-over-month, with 52 new homes hitting the market in February alone.
- Premium Pricing: The average sold price rose to $1,437,338, a 16.5% increase from January.
- Condo Demand: Despite the new inventory, high-end condos are moving faster, with DOM dropping to 65 days (down from 84 in January) at a strong $1,574 PPSF.
Sunnyside: The Buyer Response
If January was a month of “wait-and-see,” February was the month of “sign-on-the-dotted-line.” Sunnyside saw the most explosive growth in buyer commitment in the region.
- Contract Spike: Contracts signed skyrocketed by 900%, moving from just one in January to 10 in February.
- Value Play: Sunnyside continues to be the regional leader for value, with condos trading at $807 PPSF—offering a significant discount compared to LIC or Astoria.
- House Market Stability: Houses remain a rare and coveted commodity, trading in just 58 days at an average price of $1,450,000.
2026 Outlook: A Dynamic Spring Ahead
As we look toward the remainder of 2026, the massive influx of inventory in LIC, the high-value listings in Astoria and consistently high demand for single- and multi-family homes in Sunnyside suggest that sellers are feeling confident in the neighborhood’s long-term appreciation.
For buyers, the surge in contract activity in Sunnyside is a clear signal that competition is returning. With mortgage rates projected to stabilize and Northwest Queens offering a better value proposition than Manhattan or prime Brooklyn, we expect price floors to rise as we enter the summer.