The first call came before breakfast. Then five more by noon. By the end of the day, Greenwich, Connecticut, real estate agent Joy Metalios had fielded so many inquiries from New York City families that she stopped counting.
As Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani surges ahead in New York City’s mayoral race, residents are racing to secure homes in the leafy, affluent enclaves of Connecticut and Westchester County — driven by anxieties over potential policy shifts that could reshape the city’s economic and social fabric.
Real-estate brokers in these suburban markets report a frenzy reminiscent of the early pandemic exodus, with properties vanishing in days amid fierce competition and all-cash deals that push prices far beyond expectations.
In Greenwich, long home to the well-heeled, available listings have dwindled to historic lows, hovering around 117 from more than 800 a few years earlier. It has fueled intense rivalries even for multimillion-dollar estates.
Metalios, a veteran agent with Houlihan Lawrence, recently navigated a sale at 10 Old Forge Road — a five-bedroom colonial on 2 acres with a sunlit kitchen and an expansive deck — that drew 10 offers after listing at $2.39 million in late July. It closed in September for $2.96 million, entirely in cash.
A renovated five-bedroom at 156 Old Church Road, with a sauna, a bar and indoor-outdoor flow, fetched $4.82 million in the summer — more than double its 2016 price — in another all-cash contest.
“We’ve been seeing bidding wars, and we’ve been seeing people come out of New York City,” Metalios told The Post, citing the prospect of a Mayor Mamdani as a concern.
The pace has accelerated, unusual for autumn, a season typically slowed by holidays and school calendars. Metalios’ team, which sold $227 million worth of property last year across Fairfield County, has already surpassed $260 million in pending and completed transactions through the third quarter.
“I haven’t had a day off in a while,” she said.
Indeed, Greenwich medians reflect the heat: September sales hit $2.1 million, up 11.9% year-over-year, though volume dipped slightly to 49 homes amid scarcity.
In Westchester, Zach and Heather Harrison, Compass’ residential duo, listed a four-bedroom colonial at 21 Springdale Road in Scarsdale for $1.49 million on an October Thursday. By Sunday, it had attracted more than 75 viewings and 24 bids, ultimately contracting for more than $700,000 above ask.
The 2,638-square-foot home, with its open kitchen-family room flowing to a wood-burning fireplace and oversize deck, epitomizes the spacious, family-oriented appeal drawing city escapees.
At a recent open house in Scarsdale, Zach Harrison watched SUVs double-park down the block.
“It’s like the Knicks at the Garden right now,” he told The Post. “Our open houses are the hottest ticket in town.”
“It is even crazier than it was during COVID,” Heather added.
County-wide data underscores the momentum. Single-family contracts above $1 million rose 15.4% from August through late October compared with the prior year, escalating to a 225% jump for homes over $5 million, per OneKey MLS.
Showings per listing climbed 28.1% this fall versus midsummer.
“Many buyers are mentioning concerns about the mayoral election as a key driver,” Zach said.
Buyers repeatedly voice worries about rising levies, public safety and urban livability under a Mamdani administration.
“One of the great things about Westchester County is we don’t have a resident income tax in most of our towns,” Zach said.
Keyan Sanai, a Douglas Elliman broker in Manhattan, described one prospective purchaser who demanded a price cut dubbed the “Mamdani discount.”
“They told me, ‘Prices are going to drop when he gets in. We’ll either do the deal now or wait. We’re not in a rush,’” he said. Days later, the buyer suspended his search entirely — planning to leave the city.
Another developer paused a building acquisition, fearing a 20% value drop.
“One told me, ‘If I buy now and this guy gets elected, it’s going to be a raw deal,’” Sanai said. “Everyone’s either holding off or saying, ‘Let’s be out by Jan. 1, even if we sell at a loss.’”
Frances Katzen, also at Douglas Elliman, sees affluent clients reassessing portfolios amid proposals for steeper progressive taxes and expanded social programs.
“I definitely think there’s a lot of emotion around this process,” Katzen said. “People are very concerned.”
Some are decamping to the Hamptons or beyond, unwilling to risk school environments or investment stability.
“They’re going to leave the city,” she added, noting plans for universal child care, fare-free buses and municipal groceries funded by hikes targeting corporations and high earners.
In Southport, Connecticut, Libby McKinney Tritschler of William Raveis is seeing a similar rush, with a harbor-side village drawing renters and buyers seeking breathing room.
Her $12 million listing at 260 Willow St. — a seven-bedroom waterfront compound with a guest house, a pool and bespoke millwork — has generated brisk interest, far outpacing pre-pandemic norms. The property logged four showings in three weeks, versus one every quarter previously.
Meanwhile, a six-bedroom Fairfield property at 971 Hulls Farm Road had a contract signed with a portion down less than 24 hours after the buyer saw it, hoping to mitigate a bidding war. They paid $3.87 million, and there were many backup offers. It had initially listed for $3.75 million.
“It’s feeling a little bit as it did when COVID first came about,” Tritschler said. “There’s been a lot of rumors over the last few months about the mayoral race in New York. I think there really will be a little bit of an exodus if the mayoral race goes the way they’re claiming it will.”
Tritschler added that because of the low supply of homes, New Yorkers are finding other alternatives.
“I’m seeing some people even rent temporarily until they can find a home here,” she said. “That’s been a big piece of the puzzle lately.”
Agents emphasize that while political jitters amplify long-standing grievances over crime and costs, the suburbs’ allure — lower taxes, yards and perceived security — predates this election cycle.
“A lot of it has to do with safety. And just not wanting to raise our kids there,” Metalios said.