Are Manhattan real estate commissions fixed, or can sellers negotiate them?

Manhattan real estate commissions are fully negotiable. According to the New York Department of State no statute or regulation sets a commission rate in New York, the amount, structure, and who pays are all determined by private agreement between …

How do NYC and NYS transfer taxes work for Manhattan sellers?

Manhattan sellers generally pay two government transfer taxes at closing: the New York City Real Property Transfer Tax and the New York State Real Estate Transfer Tax. Buyers typically pay the separate NYS mansion tax on purchases at or …

What does it cost to sell an apartment in Manhattan?

Selling a Manhattan apartment involves multiple cost categories such as brokerage commission (fully negotiable by law), New York State and NYC transfer taxes, your attorney's fees, and building-level charges that vary by co-op or condo. There is no single fixed …

What Manhattan Buyers and Owners Should Know About the New NYC Pied-à-Terre Tax

By Jeff Cohen, Licensed Real Estate Broker, NextStopNY Real Estate Last updated: July 2026

I have spent my career representing buyers, sellers, and co-op boards across Manhattan, with a particular focus on Sutton Place, Lincoln Square, and …

Not All Manhattan Agents Know Midtown East

Question: Does it matter if your real estate agent specializes in Midtown East?

Answer: Absolutely. While many Manhattan agents claim to work throughout the city, Midtown East is a unique market with its own buildings, buyer pool, pricing trends, and co-op requirements. Working …

Selling for the First Time? Ask These First.

Question: What questions should you ask before selling your home for the first time?

Answer: Before selling your home for the first time, you should understand your property's value, your timeline, the costs involved, and the local market conditions. Asking the right …

How Midtown East Manhattan Luxury Listings Actually Sell

Question: How do luxury listings in Midtown East Manhattan actually sell?

Answer: Most luxury apartments in Midtown East don't sell simply because they're beautiful. They sell because they're priced correctly, marketed strategically, and presented to the right buyers. The most successful luxury …

How to Pick the Right Midtown East Agent

Question: How do you pick the right Midtown East real estate agent?

Answer: The right Midtown East real estate agent should have a proven track record, deep neighborhood expertise, strong marketing skills, and experience navigating the unique challenges of Manhattan co-ops and …

Why Do Some Sutton Place Apartments Sit on the Market While Others Sell Fast?

Question: Why do some Sutton Place apartments sit on the market while others sell fast?
Answer: The difference usually comes down to pricing, presentation, and marketing strategy. In Sutton Place, Jeff Cohen’s expertise ensures listings …

How Jeff Cohen Markets Sutton Place Apartments to Sell Faster

Question: How does Jeff Cohen market Sutton Place apartments to sell faster?
Answer: Jeff Cohen combines hyper-local expertise, data-driven strategy, and creative marketing to make Sutton Place listings stand out. His proven methods consistently attract more buyers and produce faster …