Manhattan Real Estate Market Weekly Snapshot
Week of September 8, 2025
As the summer winds down, Manhattan’s real estate market traditionally pivots into one of its most active seasons. The first two weeks of September often set the tone for the fall cycle, and this year is proving no different. The data from the week of September 8 reveals a market that is both selective and strategic—particularly in the luxury segment.
Market Activity Across Neighborhoods
Co-ops saw a substantial influx of new listings, with 72 on the Upper East Side and 79 in Midtown. Contract activity concentrated around attainable price points: Midtown led with 20 co-op contracts at a median of $687,500, while the Upper East Side closed 22 contracts at a median of $1.57 million. The Upper West Side logged 15 contracts for properties near $1.3 million, underscoring the return of buyers seeking value.
Condos and condops continue to set the tone for Manhattan’s luxury market. Midtown recorded 28 contracts signed at a median of $1.32 million, while Downtown achieved 16 contracts at a striking median of $3.38 million—demonstrating that high-end demand persists when product and pricing align. On the Upper East Side, condos averaged $1,202,500, showing steady activity as buyers focus on well-located inventory.
Townhouses saw seven new listings across prime neighborhoods, including two on the Upper East Side, priced around $ 17.5 million. While none went to contract this week, they contribute to a growing pipeline of ultra-luxury offerings as the season progresses.
Activity by Price Tier
Sales activity is strongest under $3M, where 105 contracts were signed across Manhattan. This is consistent with historic trends that see momentum build first in the more liquid tiers. Above $5M, 13 contracts were signed, including one above $10M—showing that while the luxury segment remains selective, buyers are active for the right property.
Average condo resale prices per square foot reinforce this selectivity:
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$2,948/SF in the $5M–$10M range
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$2,880/SF in the $10M–$20M range
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$2,333/SF in the $3M–$5M range
This upward price gradient reflects the premium attached to rare, well-positioned inventory.
Strategic Implications for Buyers and Sellers
As someone who began my career on Wall Street and now advises clients through Coldwell Banker Warburg, I approach each transaction with an analytical lens. This fall, the project management discipline is paramount: properties that are properly staged, priced, and timed to launch during September’s surge are attracting immediate attention.
For sellers, my access to the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury network ensures international exposure during this peak listing window. The RealVitalize program offers a turn-key way to complete cosmetic updates with no upfront costs, maximizing both value and market readiness.
For buyers, especially those in the luxury tier, market knowledge is a valuable leverage. Liquidity is tightening compared to early summer, but not yet competitive enough to remove negotiation power. Carefully monitoring resale value metrics, such as $/SF trends, is crucial when evaluating opportunities above $ 5 million.
Outlook
Manhattan’s fall market has arrived with energy and precision. Activity is rising across all property types, and luxury buyers are re-engaging where product quality justifies the premium. This is a moment for both buyers and sellers to move decisively—with strategy, timing, and execution guiding every step.
