It’s not a surprise that 70% of buyers paused their apartment search last year. Maybe you were one of them. And if so, no judgment — conditions just weren’t ideal.
Inventory was extremely low, prices were high, and mortgage rates were unpredictable. That made it tough to find an apartment you loved — and could afford. And why sell if you weren’t sure where you were going to go?
But here’s the thing: the market is shifting. And it might just be time to hit play again.
The Inventory Sweet Spot
More apartment owners are jumping back into the market this year. Builders are finishing more new developments. And together, that’s creating more opportunities for you when you’re ready to move — maybe even the apartment you’ve been waiting for.
More apartments = more possibilities.
But there’s an even bigger advantage. When you sell, you want it to be smooth — finding your next apartment without your listing sitting stale on the market. Right now, you can have the best of both worlds.
Let’s break it down:
According to Realtor.com, national inventory has increased by 28.5% compared to this time last year. However, inventory is still 20.2% lower compared to pre-pandemic levels (2017–2019).
In other words, there are more apartments to choose from today than a year ago — but still enough scarcity to keep demand strong and help your current apartment sell quickly (especially when priced and marketed properly).
More options. Less chaos. Solid demand.
This is the real sweet spot.
Here’s something else: Realtor.com’s data shows that inventory has been rising for 17 straight months, and experts expect it to keep growing through the year. As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, explains:
"The fact that inventory is rising year-over-year . . . strongly suggests that national active housing inventory for sale is likely to end the year higher."
That means now may actually be the best time to sell. Your apartment could stand out more today than later in the year when competition heats up even further.
Wait too long, and you could be one of many trying to attract buyers in a more crowded market.
Bottom Line
If you’ve been waiting for a sign from the New York apartment market — here it is.
Whether you're ready to move up, scale down, or make a big relocation, now might be the best balance we've seen in a long time.
Who You Work With Matters!
If you're thinking about buying or selling an apartment in New York, reach out to me today. I’m here to help you take advantage of this sweet spot and make your next move with confidence!
