𝐅𝐒𝐁𝐎𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Selling an apartment in New York has never been simple—and today’s market is proving just how valuable professional guidance really is. Recent data shows that For Sale By Owner (FSBO) transactions have dropped to an all-time low, while more sellers than ever are choosing to work with experienced real estate agents to navigate the process.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, FSBOs accounted for just 5% of sales nationwide, down from last year’s already-record-low of 7%. Meanwhile, a striking 91% of sellers worked with a real estate agent to sell their property.

In a city as nuanced as New York—where co-op boards, condo rules, pricing strategy, and negotiation dynamics matter immensely—this trend comes as no surprise.

Why FSBO Doesn’t Work Well for New York Apartments

Selling an apartment on your own might sound appealing at first, especially if the goal is to save on commission. But in practice, many FSBO sellers find the experience overwhelming—and costly.

Data shows that FSBO sellers consistently achieve lower sales prices than those who work with agents. Over the past year, the median FSBO sale price was 18% difference lower. While national in scope, this gap is particularly meaningful in New York, where even small percentage differences can translate into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

FSBO apartment sellers also report struggling most with:

• Accurately pricing their apartment

• Preparing it for the market

• Selling within their desired timeline

Notably, 40% of FSBO sellers didn’t actively market their apartment at all—a major disadvantage in a competitive, inventory-sensitive market like NYC.

The Hidden Costs of Selling Solo

Many owners choose FSBO because they’re selling to a friend or relative, or because they want to avoid commission fees. However, a separate survey by Clever Real Estate found that most FSBO sellers still end up paying a buyer’s agent commission, often as a concession during negotiations.

Even more telling:

• 1 in 5 FSBO sellers eventually hire an agent anyway

• Over half describe the process as stressful

• 47% say the experience brought them to tears

• 43% admit to making legal mistakes

• 64% say they didn’t achieve their desired sales price

In New York, where contracts, disclosures, building approvals, and negotiations are complex, those risks are amplified.

Why More New York Apartment Sellers Are Choosing Agents

Sellers in the NAR 2025 Profile cited clear reasons for working with an agent:

• Broader exposure to qualified buyers

• More accurate, competitive pricing

• Professional marketing and negotiation

• End-to-end management of the transaction

In fact, 86% of sellers said their agent handled most or all aspects of the sale, and 87% said they would recommend their agent to others.

As Jessica Lautz, NAR’s Deputy Chief Economist, puts it:

“Real estate agents remain indispensable in today’s complex housing market… providing critical expertise, negotiation skills, and emotional support during an increasingly challenging process.”

That statement rings especially true in New York City.

Final Thoughts for New York Apartment Sellers

Selling your apartment isn’t just about listing it, it's the experience of selling it, strategy, positioning, timing, and execution. The data is clear: sellers who work with an experienced agent not only reduce stress, but often walk away with stronger results.

Who You Work With Matters!

If you’re considering selling your New York apartment and want expert guidance tailored to this market, I’d be happy to help.

Julian Hutter
Compass – Real Estate Advisor

Reach out anytime to discuss your goals and next steps.