A Seattle Broker in an 8-Degree New York: Architecture, History, Burgers, and the Conversations Shaping Real Estate in 2026
Earlier this month, I braved the headline-making frigid temperatures of New York City to attend the Inman Connect New York (ICNY) conference. The frosty weather made for quite the adventure, as I jetted off to the other side of the country to get insights from some of the top industry professionals.
Attending events like ICNY allows me to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to the real estate market, learning about the bigger picture topics, like National Association of REALTORS (NAR) policies, tech advancements, global buying and selling trends, and more. National and global trends affect our local markets, and it’s an important part of my role as an advisor to synthesize the latest news for buyers and sellers.
Work and play
Luckily, the trip wasn’t all business. With my home base at Park Lane New York, I was able to look out over the beautiful frozen landscape of Central Park from my room. Of course, no trip to New York City is complete without a foodie adventure, and I can confidently say I found the best burger in the city at The Burger Joint in Midtown. I soaked in the beautiful architecture and visited Darling, a rooftop buffet on the 42nd floor, offering incredible city views and a bit of history. Fun fact: Leona Helmsley, the famous American hotelier, once resided there in her opulent two-story penthouse.
The conference was led by some incredible thought leaders, including Nykia Wright, the CEO of NAR, who touched on the importance of keeping NAR relevant as we make our real estate moves going forward. Brad Inman, the founder of Inman, and Ryan Serhant, the Founder and CEO of SERHANT, discussed big-picture industry changes, and Sahil Bloom, a NYT bestselling author and entrepreneur, opined on the decision-making insights that provide a look into the wealth-building mindset of today’s buyers and sellers.
top themes of icny
As the conference progressed, I took note of the major topics that continuously came up during the discussions.
1. The Future of the MLS
With the MLS making major headlines over the past couple of years amidst lawsuits and policy changes, transparency and accuracy remain hot topics in the industry. NAR President Kevin Brown weighed in and spoke to the organization's desire to create rules that protect buyers and sellers while providing maximum marketplace exposure. As always, I am on top of any changes that occur in the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) and will guide you through the entire process of listing your home or purchasing one, so that we’re following the correct guidelines while ensuring a successful transaction for you.
2. The Role of AI
Artificial intelligence is shifting the way buyers search for homes, meaning that sellers need to be prepared to make changes as well. “Digital breadcrumbs” matter, so catering marketing content to how AI searches work within social posts, websites, and ads for a listing is imperative. These changes don’t mean that you’ll be collaborating less with an actual broker. In fact, I’m interested in the ways in which AI will allow me to spend more time connecting with my buyers and sellers as I utilize tech to handle other aspects of the listing or purchasing process.
3. Accurate Pricing Remains Crucial
With today’s buyers exercising caution during their home-buying journeys, taking their time to make offers and waiting for the right moment to “strike,” it’s important that sellers set themselves up for success before their listings hit the market. This means understanding that pricing their home appropriately and not overvaluing it in the hopes that a buyer will pay more than what it’s worth will be the best path forward. Overpricing a home can cause it to sit on the market for a longer period, and typically, a home becomes less desirable to the average buyer the longer it sits on the market. Although market conditions are out of our control and will affect the listing price, we can take steps to boost value, like making savvy repairs and renovations and staging it stylishly, to increase the value of your home.
the bottom line
Overall, it was a whirlwind trip, packed with incredible market insights, classic New York City views, and an exciting energy that makes me feel inspired to take on the 2026 market with our buyers and sellers. Big thank you to Katja and sweet Dolce for keeping business running smoothly back in Seattle while I jaunted over to the East Coast. Let’s use these market trends to your advantage and make 2026 the year you achieve your goals. Reach out to me today to take the first step.
