In Q4 2025, co-op listings are lingering on the market for significantly less time than they were just a year ago: year over year, co-op listings in New York City have seen a 20% decrease in average days spent on the market. Yet, for sellers who are generally anxious to turn around their properties as quickly as possible, even the current 106-day average can feel far too long to wait. One sure way to attract more potential buyers and close a deal under the current average number of days is to list your property under market rate from the start. But is this a strategic move for sellers or their co-op communities?
In this article:
The Benefits of Listing Your Property Under Market Rate
While it may seem counter-intuitive, there can be distinct advantages to listing a property slightly under market rate. While it is a decision that should only be made in consultation with an experienced real estate professional who understands the dynamics of New York City’s residential real estate market, under some circumstances, a highly competitive listing price may even pay back. Key benefits include the potential to:
1. Attract More Potential Buyers
Everyone loves a bargain, and if your unit is just slightly below market rate for the neighborhood or building, potential buyers will take notice. If you undercut the price too steeply, however, you may risk creating a false red flag and push potential buyers away. For this reason, it is important to keep any slight price cuts modest enough to attract more buyers but not so steep that the deal looks too good to be true.2. Close More Quickly
A competitively priced unit is not only likely to attract more potential buyers but to result in a serious offer more quickly. If a potential buyer is worried that someone else might swoop in and bid on the unit due to its competitive pricing, the time from listing to close may even be shorter.3. Potential to Generate a Bidding War
While there is no guarantee, in some cases, pricing a unit slightly under market rate can attract multiple bids, enough to create a bidding war. If this happens, the seller may not only end up selling their property at market rate but even over market rate.4. Reduced Risk of Creating a Stale Listing
In the current market where co-ops units are lingering on the market for over three months and most condos and townhouses are lingering on the market even longer, competitive pricing is also one way to avoid ending up with a stale listing—that is, a listing that remains on the market well beyond the current average.The Risks of Listing Your Property Under Market Rate
While there is no doubt that under-cutting one’s listing price can be advantageous, there are notable risks that may not only impact sellers but also their co-op or condo communities. The most common risks include:
1. Low Return on Investment
Unless speed to sale is more important than any other factor (e.g., in some cases, this may be true in an estate sale), if you list a property under market rate, there is always a notable risk that you’ll be cheating yourself out of a strong return on your initial investment.2. Weaker Bargaining Position
If you list a property below the market rate, buyers and their representatives will assume you’re highly motivated to sell and may, as a result, also attempt to further erode the price on the property or ask for additional contingencies (read more about contingencies here).3. Appraisal Issues
In some cases, a listing under market rate will lead to a bidding war, which drives the price back up to market rate or even pushes it over market rate. If this happens, it should be good news, but it can backfire. If the buyer’s mortgage appraisal uses the original listing price as a factor, and subsequently appraises the property at the original price, this may either push the closing price back down or, worse yet, kill the deal. Remember that most offers will include an appraisal contingency.4. Lower the Value of Other Units in the Building
While there are many factors that impact the value of a unit, in a co-op and condo, the value of one unit will impact the value of other units in the building. If one shareholder or owner lists their unit well below market rate because they are highly motivated to sell, it may inadvertently lower the value of other units in the building. As a result, this strategy can also create tensions with one’s co-op or condo board. If one’s unit doesn’t sell, the earlier under-market-rate listing may also impact the ability to relist the unit at market rate later.Bottom Line
The bottom line is that while listing a unit under market value can be strategic, it is also risky, and nearly always tends to work better in a market already favoring sellers versus buyers.
In a seller’s market, listing a property 1-5 percent below market rate can generate a bidding war and lead to a fast turnaround and even higher return. In a buyer’s market, this strategy may further erode the value of one’s property and even negatively impact the value of units in one’s building.
In a seller’s market, listing a property 1-5 percent below market rate can generate a bidding war and lead to a fast turnaround and even higher return. In a buyer’s market, this strategy may further erode the value of one’s property and even negatively impact the value of units in one’s building.
Select listings priced to sell for a loss
While Manhattan real estate is widely viewed as a resilient long-term investment, a small subset of sellers are currently listing their homes below their prior purchase price. Of nearly 6,000 active sale listings across Manhattan, fewer than 400 are asking less than what they last sold for, often due to financial pressures, rising carrying costs (such as in land lease buildings) strategic exits, overpaying at peak pricing between 2014 and 2017, or owning in buildings or neighborhoods that have not fully rebounded from pandemic-era shifts.
Certain segments, including some Trump-branded properties and more generic or dated new development units, have seen sharper pullbacks, while Brooklyn has very few underwater listings amid strong long-term appreciation. For buyers, these rare discounts may present opportunity in a high-rate, slower market, particularly in well-run buildings with strong fundamentals that remain best positioned for long-term value retention.
Certain segments, including some Trump-branded properties and more generic or dated new development units, have seen sharper pullbacks, while Brooklyn has very few underwater listings amid strong long-term appreciation. For buyers, these rare discounts may present opportunity in a high-rate, slower market, particularly in well-run buildings with strong fundamentals that remain best positioned for long-term value retention.
-24% off from 6/28/2006 closing price of $495,000
155 East 49th Street, #2B
$375,000
Midtown East | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath
-24% off from 6/28/2006 closing price of $495,000
155 East 49th Street, #2B
$375,000
155 East 49th Street, #2B (Compass)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
-6% off from 6/13/2016 closing price of $410,000
345 East 52nd Street, #7B
$385,000
Midtown East | Cooperative | Studio, 1 Bath | 525 ft2
-6% off from 6/13/2016 closing price of $410,000
345 East 52nd Street, #7B
$385,000
345 East 52nd Street, #7B (Serhant)
-15% off from 6/8/2018 closing price of $615,000
415 East 85th Street, #8G
$525,000
Yorkville | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath
-15% off from 6/8/2018 closing price of $615,000
415 East 85th Street, #8G
$525,000
415 East 85th Street, #8G (Corcoran Group)
-30% off from 11/16/2016 closing price of $710,739
Aurum, #603
$499,000 (-9.3%)
Harlem | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 650 ft2
-30% off from 11/16/2016 closing price of $710,739
Aurum, #603
$499,000 (-9.3%)
Aurum, #603 (Compass)
-8% off from 9/26/2017 closing price of $780,000
The Clare, #2C
$715,000
Lenox Hill | Condominium | Studio, 1 Bath | 563 ft2
-8% off from 9/26/2017 closing price of $780,000
The Clare, #2C
$715,000
The Clare, #2C (Compass)
-33% off from 4/28/2022 closing price of $825,000
Liberty Terrace, #10F
$549,000
Battery Park City | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 401 ft2
-33% off from 4/28/2022 closing price of $825,000
Liberty Terrace, #10F
$549,000
Liberty Terrace, #10F (Corcoran Group)
-20% off from 2/29/2016 closing price of $875,000
The Croft, #6B
$700,000
Financial District | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 685 ft2
-20% off from 2/29/2016 closing price of $875,000
The Croft, #6B
$700,000
The Croft, #6B (Compass)
-3% off from 7/26/2018 closing price of $878,500
Bridgeview Tower, #10A
$850,000
Downtown Brooklyn | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths | 733 ft2
-3% off from 7/26/2018 closing price of $878,500
Bridgeview Tower, #10A
$850,000
Bridgeview Tower, #10A (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
-21% off from 6/11/2007 closing price of $1,050,000
929 Park Avenue, #8A
$825,000 (-1.8%)
Carnegie Hill | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 800 ft2
-21% off from 6/11/2007 closing price of $1,050,000
929 Park Avenue, #8A
$825,000 (-1.8%)
929 Park Avenue, #8A (Corcoran Group)
-22% off from 4/16/2017 closing price of $1,272,813
100 Norfolk Street, #1A
$999,000
Lower East Side | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths | 1,160 ft2
-22% off from 4/16/2017 closing price of $1,272,813
100 Norfolk Street, #1A
$999,000
100 Norfolk Street, #1A (Compass)
1% off from 11/16/2016 closing price of $1,300,000
340 East 80th Street, #17D
$1,295,000
Yorkville | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
1% off from 11/16/2016 closing price of $1,300,000
340 East 80th Street, #17D
$1,295,000
340 East 80th Street, #17D (Nest Seekers LLC)
-17% off from 6/1/2018 closing price of $1,385,000
265 West 122nd Street, #C
$1,150,000
Harlem | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,122 ft2
-17% off from 6/1/2018 closing price of $1,385,000
265 West 122nd Street, #C
$1,150,000
265 West 122nd Street, #C (CORE Group Marketing LLC)
-29% off from 5/18/2017 closing price of $1,400,000
Windows on 123, #6D
$995,000
Harlem | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1 ft2
-29% off from 5/18/2017 closing price of $1,400,000
Windows on 123, #6D
$995,000
Windows on 123, #6D (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
-3% off from 2/2/2016 closing price of $1,500,000
Worldwide Plaza, #6G
$1,450,000
Midtown West | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,010 ft2
-3% off from 2/2/2016 closing price of $1,500,000
Worldwide Plaza, #6G
$1,450,000
Worldwide Plaza, #6G (Compass)
-17% off from 9/18/2007 closing price of $1,558,855
The Plaza, #1202
$1,299,000
Midtown West | Condominium | Studio, 1 Bath | 695 ft2
-17% off from 9/18/2007 closing price of $1,558,855
The Plaza, #1202
$1,299,000
The Plaza, #1202 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
-9% off from 3/13/2023 closing price of $1,647,500
The St Germaine, #17C
$1,499,000
Broadway Corridor | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
-9% off from 3/13/2023 closing price of $1,647,500
The St Germaine, #17C
$1,499,000
The St Germaine, #17C (Compass)
-7% off from 3/7/2016 closing price of $1,675,000
211 East 51st Street, #12D
$1,550,000
Midtown East | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,166 ft2
-7% off from 3/7/2016 closing price of $1,675,000
211 East 51st Street, #12D
$1,550,000
211 East 51st Street, #12D (R New York)
-6% off from 6/5/2025 closing price of $1,939,275
123 Baxter Street, #3A
$1,825,000
NoLiTa/Little Italy | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,521 ft2
-6% off from 6/5/2025 closing price of $1,939,275
123 Baxter Street, #3A
$1,825,000
123 Baxter Street, #3A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
-17% off from 1/31/2013 closing price of $2,031,409
The Residences at 400 Fifth Avenue, #50F
$1,690,000
Midtown West | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths | 982 ft2
-17% off from 1/31/2013 closing price of $2,031,409
The Residences at 400 Fifth Avenue, #50F
$1,690,000
The Residences at 400 Fifth Avenue, #50F (Compass)
-18% off from 3/28/2014 closing price of $2,316,519
W Residences, #PH54F
$1,895,000 (-2.8%)
Financial District | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,152 ft2
-18% off from 3/28/2014 closing price of $2,316,519
W Residences, #PH54F
$1,895,000 (-2.8%)
W Residences, #PH54F (Compass)
-14% off from 11/5/2009 closing price of $2,325,000
930 Fifth Avenue, #7B
$1,995,000
Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath
-14% off from 11/5/2009 closing price of $2,325,000
930 Fifth Avenue, #7B
$1,995,000
930 Fifth Avenue, #7B (Sothebys International Realty)
-17% off from 5/11/2015 closing price of $2,392,888
50 United Nations Plaza, #6C
$1,995,000
Turtle Bay/United Nations | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,132 ft2
-17% off from 5/11/2015 closing price of $2,392,888
50 United Nations Plaza, #6C
$1,995,000
50 United Nations Plaza, #6C (Compass)
-17% off from 9/28/2022 closing price of $2,405,000
The Chatsworth, #8C
$1,995,000
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
-17% off from 9/28/2022 closing price of $2,405,000
The Chatsworth, #8C
$1,995,000
The Chatsworth, #8C (Corcoran Group)
-36% off from 9/9/2015 closing price of $2,750,000
Trump Tower, #57C
$1,750,000
Midtown East | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 1,138 ft2
-36% off from 9/9/2015 closing price of $2,750,000
Trump Tower, #57C
$1,750,000
Trump Tower, #57C (Keller Williams NYC)
-21% off from 9/16/2015 closing price of $2,900,000
60 East End Avenue, #41A
$2,295,000 (-4.2%)
Yorkville | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 2,100 ft2
-21% off from 9/16/2015 closing price of $2,900,000
60 East End Avenue, #41A
$2,295,000 (-4.2%)
60 East End Avenue, #41A (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
-33% off from 8/3/2017 closing price of $2,975,276
Madison Square Park Tower, #21B
$1,995,000
Flatiron/Union Square | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 1,128 ft2
-33% off from 8/3/2017 closing price of $2,975,276
Madison Square Park Tower, #21B
$1,995,000
Madison Square Park Tower, #21B (Corcoran Group)
-20% off from 4/15/2016 closing price of $3,250,000
Centurion, #4E
$2,599,000
Midtown West | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,489 ft2
-20% off from 4/15/2016 closing price of $3,250,000
Centurion, #4E
$2,599,000
Centurion, #4E (Corcoran Group)
-21% off from 8/29/2014 closing price of $3,500,000
The Rushmore, #7E
$2,750,000
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 1,885 ft2
-21% off from 8/29/2014 closing price of $3,500,000
The Rushmore, #7E
$2,750,000
The Rushmore, #7E (Compass)
-18% off from 11/26/2014 closing price of $3,650,000
Philip House, #7A
$2,995,000
Carnegie Hill | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,700 ft2
-18% off from 11/26/2014 closing price of $3,650,000
Philip House, #7A
$2,995,000
Philip House, #7A (Compass)
-27% off from 1/20/2021 closing price of $4,127,750
30E31, #38
$2,995,000
Murray Hill | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,677 ft2
-27% off from 1/20/2021 closing price of $4,127,750
30E31, #38
$2,995,000
30E31, #38 (Corcoran Group)
-19% off from 3/9/2016 closing price of $5,200,000
135W52, #27A
$4,200,000
Midtown West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,227 ft2
-19% off from 3/9/2016 closing price of $5,200,000
135W52, #27A
$4,200,000
135W52, #27A (Corcoran Group)
-18% off from 5/1/2024 closing price of $5,800,000
378 Broome Street, #2
$4,750,000
NoLiTa/Little Italy | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, Unknown Baths | 2,180 ft2
-18% off from 5/1/2024 closing price of $5,800,000
378 Broome Street, #2
$4,750,000
378 Broome Street, #2 (Sothebys International Realty)
-27% off from 8/22/2019 closing price of $6,006,834
Fifteen Hudson Yards, #64D
$4,399,000 (-4.3%)
Midtown West | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 2,017 ft2
-27% off from 8/22/2019 closing price of $6,006,834
Fifteen Hudson Yards, #64D
$4,399,000 (-4.3%)
Fifteen Hudson Yards, #64D (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
-29% off from 10/21/2021 closing price of $7,400,000
130 East End Avenue, #PHB
$5,250,000
Yorkville | Cooperative | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,400 ft2
-29% off from 10/21/2021 closing price of $7,400,000
130 East End Avenue, #PHB
$5,250,000
130 East End Avenue, #PHB (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
-22% off from 5/11/2011 closing price of $10,200,000
The Park Laurel, #23B
$7,990,000
Central Park West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,000 ft2
-22% off from 5/11/2011 closing price of $10,200,000
The Park Laurel, #23B
$7,990,000
The Park Laurel, #23B (Coldwell Banker Warburg)
-16% off from 4/21/2008 closing price of $15,168,336
The Plaza, #1901
$12,750,000
Midtown West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths | 3,698 ft2
-16% off from 4/21/2008 closing price of $15,168,336
The Plaza, #1901
$12,750,000
The Plaza, #1901 (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
-20% off from 8/30/2018 closing price of $16,905,950
520 Park Avenue, #18
$13,495,000 (-3.6%)
Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 4,613 ft2
-20% off from 8/30/2018 closing price of $16,905,950
520 Park Avenue, #18
$13,495,000 (-3.6%)
520 Park Avenue, #18 (Compass)
-18% off from 9/14/2016 closing price of $21,156,843
432 Park Avenue, #81A
$17,250,000
Midtown East | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 2,633 ft2
-18% off from 9/14/2016 closing price of $21,156,843
432 Park Avenue, #81A
$17,250,000
432 Park Avenue, #81A (Compass)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Contributing Writer
Cait Etherington
Cait Etherington has over twenty years of experience working as a journalist and communications consultant. Her articles and reviews have been published in newspapers and magazines across the United States and internationally. An experienced financial writer, Cait is committed to exposing the human side of stories about contemporary business, banking and workplace relations. She also enjoys writing about trends, lifestyles and real estate in New York City where she lives with her family in a cozy apartment on the twentieth floor of a Manhattan high rise.
6sqft delivers the latest on real estate, architecture, and design, straight from New York City.
