The Real Estate Board of New York Reports Record Declines in Residential Sales and Transactions as the Coronavirus Pandemic Continues Dramatic Impact on New York City Economy

REBNY’s Quarterly Residential Sales Report Tracks 50% Decrease in Citywide Sales Volume and 43% Decrease in Transactions Since 2019

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the City’s leading real estate trade association, reported today that both New York City’s total residential sales volume and total residential transactions decreased significantly to reach their lowest points since REBNY started reporting in Q1 2006, according to its Q2 2020 Quarterly Residential Sales Report.

From April 1 to June 30, 2020, citywide total residential sales volume decreased 50% year-over-year, from $12.8 billion to $6.4 billion, the lowest point in residential sales volume since Q4 2011. Every borough with the exception of Staten Island experienced declines in total sales volume.

Citywide residential transactions decreased 43% year-over-year, from 11,413 to 6,534 sales, with all five boroughs seeing a decrease in the number of transactions. The average sales price of a home in New York City in the second quarter of 2020 was $975,806, a 13% decline year-over-year.

“This dramatic decline is an SOS to federal, state and city officials. The report confirms how vulnerable the residential real estate market is as it reels from the devastating impact of the pandemic,” said REBNY President James Whelan. “As we look to restart New York’s economic engine, it’s essential we receive federal aid and focus on smart policies that create jobs and encourage private sector investment that will generate critically needed tax revenue.”

Citywide, transactions declined in each of the condominium, cooperative and one-to-three family dwellings categories. Citywide condominium transactions declined 57% to 1,248 units; citywide cooperative transactions declined 60% to 1,321 units; and citywide one-to-three family home transactions declined 24% to 3,965 units.

The real estate industry, which serves as the fundamental driver of New York City’s economic engine, represented more than half (53%) of the City’s total annual tax revenue in the last fiscal year. The industry employs hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers from building service workers to brokers and generates essential revenue for the City of New York to maintain the salaries of first responders, fund infrastructure improvements and provide for public services like schools, libraries and parks.

Other key findings from the Q2 2020 Quarterly Residential Sales Report include:

• Citywide condominium sales volume declined 64% year-over-year to $2 billion.

• Citywide cooperative sales volume declined 65% year-over-year to $957.7 million.

• Citywide 1-3 family home sales volume declined 25% year-over-year to $3.4 billion.

• Manhattan showed the largest year-over-year decline of all five boroughs in both total sales volume and transaction volumes, at 66% and 62% respectively.

• REBNY reports 9,320 active and 3,231 in-contract listings in Q2 2020 across Manhattan and Brooklyn, which represent a 9% increase and 32% decline from Q1 2020.

The Quarterly Residential Sales Report is New York City’s most comprehensive compilation of residential sales data. Launched in 2006, the report captures the citywide and by borough breakdowns of closing data for condominiums, cooperatives and one-to-three family dwellings. Additionally, for the first time, the Quarterly Residential Sales Report now captures the active and in-contract data for Manhattan and Brooklyn as a result of REBNY’s partnership with Perchwell, a real estate data and analytics platform.

Download the Q2 2020 Quarterly Residential Sales Report here. For more information about REBNY research reports, visit go.rebny.com/Reports.

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ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE BOARD OF NEW YORK

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is the City’s leading real estate trade association. Founded in 1896, REBNY represents commercial, residential, and institutional property owners, builders, managers, investors, brokers, and salespeople; banks, financial service companies, utilities, attorneys, architects, and contractors; corporations, co-partnerships, and individuals professionally interested in New York City real estate. REBNY conducts research on various civic matters including tax policy, city planning and zoning, rental conditions, land use policy, building codes, and other city, state, and federal legislation. REBNY regularly publishes market data, policy reports, and broker surveys. In addition, REBNY provides for its members: informational, technical, and technological resources; networking and charitable service opportunities; qualifying and continuing education courses; professional education programs, seminars, and designations; career-changing awards; legal advice; and a wide range of additional member benefits. For more information, please visit www.REBNY.com.