Amy Schumer – comedian, actress, screenwriter – has just sold her home in Brooklyn Heights for $11 million. Sounds impressive? Well, not exactly. She bought it for more – losing over $1.25 million. And it’s not just any house. This is the townhouse whose facade appeared in the iconic “Moonstruck” from 1987, starring Cher and Nicolas Cage.
Why is this sale electrifying the media so much? First of all, Amy Schumer is a global star—her stand-up shows and movies (remember “Trainwreck”?) have been seen by millions. Secondly, the financial loss on such a prestigious property raises questions about the state of the New York market. And thirdly—the timing. The sale coincided with the announcement of Amy and her husband Chris Fischer’s separation. Rumors, speculation, headlines—the classic scenario.
Comedy star, iconic house, and a surprising loss
A historic townhouse, an 80s movie, a divorce, and a loss exceeding a million? It’s a combination that attracts the attention of both pop culture fans and real estate market watchers. In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look—both at the history of the building and at the numbers that explain how this surprising loss occurred.
From a tenement house from 1829 to the “House of the Influence of the Moon”
A townhouse from 1829 in the heart of Brooklyn Heights
Before Amy Schumer set foot there, the building at 19 Cranberry Street had already stood for nearly two centuries—each one adding something to its story. Built in 1829, it is one of the oldest houses in Brooklyn Heights, a neighborhood that emerged as New York’s first exclusive “suburb.” In 1965, the entire area was designated a National Historic District, which says a lot about the prestige of the location.
Style? Federal with a Greek twist – distinctive symmetrical windows, modest columns at the entrance, all very 19th-century. Basic parameters:
- 4 above-ground floors
- about 5,000 square feet (approx. 465 m²)
- 5 bedrooms
- private garden on the ground floor
- rooftop observation deck
How a Brooklyn house became the star of the film “Moonstruck”
Real fame came in 1987, when the facade of the townhouse played the Capra family home in “Moonstruck.” The film starring Cher and Nicolas Cage won three Oscars and grossed over $80 million — since then, the address has lived on in pop culture as “that house from Moonstruck.” Movie fans still take photos by the distinctive stairs to this day.
What else is a plus? Brooklyn Heights Promenade with a view of Manhattan is just a two-minute walk away, PS 8 school is considered one of the best public schools in New York, and the subway (lines 2, 3, A, C) takes you downtown in fifteen minutes. The neighborhood has attracted celebrities and wealthy merchants for years—neighbors aren’t surprised by famous faces. Now the question is: how much does such an honor cost?
Finance, market, and behind-the-scenes of the $11 million sale
Amy Schumer bought a townhouse in Brooklyn Heights in 2022 for $12.25 million—at a time when the New York market was on the rise after the pandemic. She hoped to make a profit by listing the house in March 2025 for $14 million. She ended up selling it for $11 million in November. That’s roughly a $1.25 million loss, not counting taxes and maintenance.
From an ambitious price of 14 million USD to a sale for 11 million USD
The timeline is brutal:
| Date / stage | Price / event |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Purchase for $12.25 million |
| March 2025 | Listed for 14 million USD |
| May–September 2025 | Discounts (including down to 12.95 million USD) |
| November 2025 | Sale for 11 million USD |
The property was on the market for about 8 months. Annually, just the tax alone was probably $90,000–$110,000, plus additional fees. A capital loss may help on the tax return, but that’s little consolation with numbers like these.
What does this transaction say about the luxury home market in New York?
The segment above 10 million in New York cooled down in 2025 – sales dropped by 10-15%, and in Brooklyn Heights even more (about 12% year-on-year). Interest rates still hovering around 6-7% are holding buyers back. The media linked the quick closing of the transaction to Amy’s announced separation on December 12, but there is no hard evidence that it was a forced divorce sale. Maybe she simply decided that waiting any longer didn’t make sense.
What’s next – conclusions for the market and the future of Amy Schumer
The story of Amy Schumer is a lesson for anyone who thinks of real estate as a quick profit. Even celebrities can overpay and sell at a loss — it’s not just a problem for ordinary people. It’s worth drawing some specific conclusions from this.
What lessons does the story of Amy Schumer’s house teach you?
First: timing is everything. Buying at the peak of a boom (like Schumer in 2022) means risking that prices will drop before you get a chance to sell. Second: a realistic asking price saves time and nerves — after a few reductions, the outcome was the same, but the stress was unnecessary. Third: even a prestigious location doesn’t guarantee profit if the market cycle is against you.
What does the future hold for the luxury home market in Brooklyn Heights?
Experts predict that if high interest rates persist, prices may drop by another 5-10% in 2026. On the other hand, historic properties in Brooklyn Heights continue to attract interest — there is demand, but buyers now have more time to negotiate and higher expectations.
Amy Schumer is reportedly considering renting in Manhattan, while her husband may return to Martha’s Vineyard. The comedian’s career—thanks to stand-up performances and streaming contracts—remains stable, so she will manage financially. And what about us? Let’s look at similar celebrity transactions as a market indicator and remember: real estate is an investment that carries risk. Regardless of status.
Minia Mi
real estate & investment editorial team
Luxury News
