Manhattan Real Estate Market Q2 2025: Click here to access the report
What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
The Manhattan real estate market demonstrated its resilience in Q2 2025, with a solid 14.5% quarter-over-quarter increase in closed sales and a 5.2% year-over-year rise in sales. This strong performance comes amid economic uncertainty and is largely fueled by cash-ready buyers and long-term investors capitalizing on lifestyle-driven real estate opportunities.
Ultra-Luxury and Condo Markets Drive Growth
One of the most notable trends this quarter was the 66.7% surge in sales for the $10 million+ segment. High-net-worth buyers, many of whom are relocating from California and Florida, are flocking to New York for its long-term value, premium amenities, and global prestige. Unlike rate-sensitive buyers, these purchasers are largely unaffected by interest rates, thanks to their high liquidity and the transfer of wealth across generations.
Condos continued to outshine co-ops, with a 13.7% year-over-year sales increase. The appeal? Flexibility, simplified ownership, and strong rental potential. New development condos with luxury amenities remain particularly attractive, signaling ongoing demand for turnkey properties. In contrast, co-ops saw a 1.5% sales decline, hindered by stricter subletting policies and slower board processes.
Inventory & Buyer Behavior: What's Changing
Although overall inventory rose 4.4% year-over-year to just under 6,700 active listings, new listings fell by 14.1%. Many homeowners remain reluctant to sell, as they are locked into low mortgage rates. This has led to limited supply across all price points, intensifying competition for well-priced, move-in-ready properties.
Contract activity dropped 4.9% year-over-year, reflecting buyer hesitancy and policy-related uncertainty. Yet, there's strong interest in the $3–$5 million bracket, where contract activity rose 18.4%, driven by younger, move-up buyers seeking more space.
By the Numbers: Key Q2 2025 Stats
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Average Sales Price: $2,148,691
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Median Sales Price: $1,210,000
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Average Price/SF: $1,531
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Average Days on Market: 208
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Condos Average Price: $3,022,675
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Co-ops Average Price: $1,358,353
Neighborhood Highlights
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Downtown Manhattan led with 27.5% market share and 11.2% YoY growth.
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Upper West Side and Midtown East posted double-digit gains in condo contracts.
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Midtown West saw a 23.6% surge in inventory and higher price-per-square-foot averages.
What This Means for Buyers
If you're shopping for a Manhattan home, competition is fiercest in the turnkey segment. Be ready to move quickly—especially in the $3M–$5M range, where inventory is limited and demand is strong. Favor condos if you want flexible ownership and easier rental potential. With interest rates still elevated, cash buyers hold a distinct advantage.
What This Means for Sellers
Manhattan remains a globally desirable market; however, pricing strategically is crucial. Well-priced, updated homes are drawing multiple offers, while overpriced or dated listings are stagnating. If you're holding out due to low mortgage rates, consider the long-term value of upgrading or downsizing in this strong market.
Condo vs. Co-op: A Clear Divide
Condominiums led the charge this quarter, posting a 20.5% quarter-over-quarter increase in closed sales and a 13.7% year-over-year growth, fueled by demand for flexibility, ease of subletting, and rental potential. In contrast, co-op sales grew just 9.6% since Q1 and declined 1.5% year-over-year, as stricter board approvals and subletting limitations continue to curb demand.
Here's how the numbers break down:
Q2 2025 Condo Sales:
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Closed Sales: 1,285
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Sales Volume: $3.88B
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Median Price: $1,705,568
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Average Price: $3,022,675
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Average Price per Sq Ft: $1,766
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Average Size: 1,436 SF
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Average Discount: 7%
Q2 2025 Co-op Sales:
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Closed Sales: 1,421
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Sales Volume: $1.93B
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Median Price: $865,000
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Average Price: $1,358,353
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Average Price per Sq Ft: Reported where available
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Average Discount: 8%
Buyer & Seller Takeaways
Buyers: The market remains competitive, particularly for move-in-ready condos in the $1.5 million to $5 million range. With new listings down 14.1% year-over-year, it's essential to act decisively when the right opportunity arises.
Sellers: Condos continue to attract a larger buyer pool, especially younger professionals and investors. Co-op sellers should focus on staging and pricing strategically to counterbalance longer approval timelines and stricter policies.
Looking Ahead
While June ended on a slower note due to geopolitical events and election-year uncertainty, Manhattan's fundamentals, including limited land, global cachet, and high lifestyle demand, continue to support long-term growth. With a potentially pivotal mayoral race on the horizon, policy shifts may influence future market dynamics. Nevertheless, Manhattan remains one of the most stable and sought-after real estate markets worldwide.
