Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

(917) 416-7433
Buyer Consultation

Ready to Buy in NYC?

Get your personalized game plan: understand co-ops vs condos, know your numbers, and learn how to win in NYC's competitive market.

25+ Years Experience
1,000+ Buyers Helped
Hablo Español

The NYC Buying Journey

I'll Guide You Every Step

1

Discovery Call

Understand your goals, budget, and timeline. I'll explain co-ops vs condos and what to expect.

2

Get Pre-Approved

I'll connect you with lenders who understand NYC. Know exactly what you can afford.

3

Find Your Home

Search with strategy, not just hope. I'll show you properties that match your criteria and budget.

4

Close the Deal

Negotiate, prepare the board package, and close with confidence. I handle the details.

What buyers actually paid

Citywide recorded sale figures for the month named, each one carrying the sample behind it.

What is the median sale price for a home in NYC?

The median recorded sale price for a home in NYC was $899,000 in September 2026, across 1,978 recorded sales (StreetEasy Data Dashboard). That is 9.0% higher than September 2025.

What is the median sale price for a condo in NYC?

The median recorded sale price for a condo in NYC was $1,300,000 in September 2026, across 501 recorded sales (StreetEasy Data Dashboard). That is 32.3% higher than September 2025.

What is the median sale price for a co-op in NYC?

The median recorded sale price for a co-op in NYC was $560,000 in September 2026, across 741 recorded sales (StreetEasy Data Dashboard). That is 6.7% higher than September 2025.

How long does it take to sell a home in NYC?

The typical home listed for sale in NYC went into contract after 88 days in September 2026, in a market with 16,737 active listings (StreetEasy Data Dashboard). That is 14 days longer than September 2025.

How much do buyers pay compared with the asking price in NYC?

Recorded home sales in NYC closed at 96.9% of the last asking price in September 2026, across 1,978 recorded sales (StreetEasy Data Dashboard). That is 0.6 percentage points higher than September 2025.

What each number means

  • Median: half the homes came in above this number and half came in below. One very expensive property cannot drag a median the way it drags an average.
  • Year over year: compared with the same month last year, so seasons do not distort it.
  • Days on market: how long the typical listing took to go to contract. It is not how long until the closing, which adds weeks on top.
  • Sale to list: what buyers actually paid compared with the asking price. Under 100% means the recorded price landed below the last price the seller was asking.
  • Recorded sales: how many sales were actually recorded here that month. A small count means a thin sample and a number that swings around.
  • Asking price is what a seller wants. Recorded sale price is what a buyer paid at closing. The two rarely match.

Source: StreetEasy Data Dashboard, September 2026. Aggregate sales market data, not individual listings and not live inventory.

From the number to the apartment

These medians set the starting point. The active listings, live from the RLS feed, show what is on the market right now.

Search active listings

These figures describe the market in the month named, not live inventory. The active listings on this site come straight from the RLS feed.

NYC 101

Co-op vs Condo: Which is Right?

Co-op

  • Lower prices, typically 20-30% less than condos
  • More inventory: 75% of NYC apartments are co-ops
  • Board approval required, can take 4-8 weeks
  • Stricter requirements, typically 20-25%+ down

Best for: Buyers with strong financials who want value

Condo

  • You own real property, easier to buy/sell/rent
  • Flexible financing, can go 10-15% down
  • Faster closing, no board interview
  • Higher prices, premium for flexibility

Best for: Investors, pied-à-terre, or those who may rent later

Not sure which is right for you?

Let's Talk About Your Situation

Get Your Buyer Game Plan

Tell me about your search and I'll help you create a winning strategy.

Milton's listings and commentary have appeared in The New York Times, the New York Post, and Haven Lifestyles. See the coverage.

You're contacting Milton Coste, a buyer's agent. Before any private showing, New York brokerage rules require a short non-exclusive agreement. Milton walks you through it before you sign anything. Broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable. How working together works.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a co-op and a condo in NYC?

In a co-op, you buy shares in a corporation that owns the building. In a condo, you own your unit outright. Co-ops are typically cheaper but have stricter approval processes. I'll help you understand which is right for your situation.

How much do I need for a down payment in NYC?

Co-ops typically require 20-25% down (some require more). Condos can go as low as 10-15% down with the right financing. I'll connect you with lenders who know NYC requirements.

What are closing costs for buyers in NYC?

Budget 2-5% of purchase price for closing costs including attorney fees, title insurance, and various taxes. Mansion tax (1-3.9%) applies to purchases over $1M. I'll give you a complete cost breakdown.

Do I need a buyer's agent? How much does it cost?

I work for you, not the seller. Before I show you anything, New York brokerage rules ask us to put that in writing. The agreement is non-exclusive: you can work with other agents, it runs for a short fixed term we agree on, and you can end it with a note. My fee is in the agreement and it is negotiable. Most sellers offer to cover part or all of it. If a listing does not, I tell you before we go see it. Broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable.

Quarterly market reports

How every area is selling, quarter by quarter

11 reports for New York City and the Hudson Valley: prices, time to sell and what buyers paid

Still Deciding, or Short on the Down Payment?

Two questions come before the search. Whether owning beats another lease year at your rent, and where the down payment comes from.

How working with a buyer's agent works

I work for you, not the seller. Before I show you anything, New York brokerage rules ask us to put that in writing. The agreement is non-exclusive: you can work with other agents, it runs for a short fixed term we agree on, and you can end it with a note. My fee is in the agreement and it is negotiable. Most sellers offer to cover part or all of it. If a listing does not, I tell you before we go see it. Broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable. You may attend open houses independently without an agreement.

Read how it works

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