Strategic research & intelligence

Intelligence Before It Becomes News.

Independent research and intelligence for businesses, associations, organizations, and decision-makers.

Monitor. Analyze. Anticipate.

What we do

Turning information into strategic awareness.

Every engagement starts with your questions.

Market & Competitive Intelligence

Clear views of markets, competitors, and industry shifts.

Legislative & Regulatory Intelligence

Bills, rules, and local actions, tracked and explained.

Risk & Opportunity Assessments

Emerging issues assessed for exposure and opportunity.

AI-Powered Research & Automation

AI-assisted research workflows, with analyst review of the results.

Supporting service

How we work

Know what changed. Understand what it means.

  1. Monitor

    Define what deserves attention.

  2. Analyze

    Verify the facts and assess the implications.

  3. Anticipate

    Prepare for the decisions ahead.

SourcedEvery finding cites its source.
Confirmed vs. assessedFacts and judgments are labeled.
Human reviewAnalyst review is built into the process.

Who we serve

For organizations that need to see what’s coming.

Businesses

Markets, competitors, and regulatory exposure.

Associations & trade groups

Issue monitoring and member briefings.

Nonprofits & organizations

Policy research and stakeholder landscapes.

Executives & boards

Focused briefings before key decisions.

Selected work

Evidence over assertion.

An independent research demonstration built entirely from public sources. Not commissioned client work.

Explore the Research Briefing
Strategic Awareness Group · Regulatory intelligenceIndependent research demonstration
1 · Bottom line

Three years after booking platforms began verifying registrations, New York City’s legal short-term rental market is small, mostly owner-held, and actively enforced.1,2 Whether the law has improved housing affordability is not established by the evidence so far.1,4

2 · Key findings
3,500+registrations active during FY261
76%of active registrations held by unit owners1
67%reported share of 2025 violation locations controlled by corporate entities2
3 · Confirmed facts vs. analytical assessments
City data: 17 registrations revoked in FY261City data: $9.6M in 2025 penalties imposed, $0.6M paid at last report2City claim: illegal rentals linked to rising rents1Independent study: no statistically detectable first-year rent effect4Uncertain: effect on affordability
4–5 · Risks, opportunities and what to watch
Apr. 30, 2026Bill to ease rules for 1–2 family homes introduced5
Fall 2026First registration renewals expected1
OngoingRevocations and penalty collection1,2
6 · Sources
  1. NYC Office of Special Enforcement (OSE), Local Law 18 annual report, FY26 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
  2. OSE and NYC Dept. of Buildings, Local Law 87 report, 2025 (Sept. 1, 2026).
  3. NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, OSE press release, Sept. 1, 2026.
  4. A. Marsella, “Did New York City’s Airbnb Ban Lower Rents?” SSRN working paper, 2026.
  5. NYC Council, Int. 0879-2026 (in committee).

Independent Research Demonstration — Not Commissioned Client Work. Sources reviewed October 22, 2026. Not legal advice.

Read the full briefing

Built for decisions.

Every SAG briefing follows the same structure.

  1. 1
    Bottom line firstThe answer, up front.
  2. 2
    Sourced findingsEvery figure is cited.
  3. 3
    Facts kept separateConfirmed vs. assessed.
  4. 4
    What to watchThe signals that matter next.

Research tailored to your decisions

From emerging legislation to competitive developments, SAG delivers focused intelligence built around the questions that matter to your organization.

Ways to work together

Scoped to the question.

Research projects

One question, one finished report.

Ongoing monitoring

Regular briefings on what you track.

Advisory briefings

Focused sessions with your leadership.

About SAG

Awareness with a purpose.

Michael Regan, Founder and Principal of Strategic Awareness Group

Founder

Michael Regan

Founder & Principal, Strategic Awareness Group

Michael Regan is the Founder and Principal of Strategic Awareness Group (SAG), an independent research and intelligence firm helping businesses, associations, and organizational leaders navigate complex issues, emerging risks, and strategic decisions.

With more than three decades of entrepreneurial and executive experience, Michael has founded, financed, and managed businesses in the United States and internationally, spanning technology, business services, hospitality, and real estate. His background combines financial management, market research, business operations, and strategic planning.

More recently, Michael has focused on legislative and regulatory intelligence, public-policy research, and identifying developments that affect businesses, property owners, and communities. His leadership roles in civic and statewide industry associations provide firsthand experience in government affairs, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy.

Through SAG, Michael combines traditional investigative research, quantitative analysis, and AI-assisted intelligence tools to deliver evidence-based insights that help clients anticipate change, evaluate risks, and make informed decisions.

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