Is now a good time to invest in Manhattan, New York residential property?
Posted by Wei Min Tan on November 27, 2020
The Manhattan, New York residential property market has been weak since mid 2017. This is despite a strong economy (both U.S. and New York City) and record low unemployment rates. In Q1’2020 it first appeared that we were starting the recovery as evidenced by an increase in sales volume (before March 15, 2020). Then after March 15, New York City was hit by COVID 19 at unprecedented levels and the property market came to a standstill.
As of today, New York City’s restaurants have reopened to 25 percent capacity, but offices still have work-from-home policies until 2021. The sales market has picked up but rental market is very weak as a lot of people didn’t renew leases and moved out of Manhattan. With work-from-home policies at companies, New Yorkers have a once in a lifetime opportunity to work from anywhere they want while saving on Manhattan rents. For renters, now is the best time to get a deal.
Given the uncertainty, clients often ask whether now is a good time to invest in Manhattan property.
Why was the Manhattan market soft from 2017 to 2019?
Manhattan property has been experiencing a slowdown since mid 2017, typical with property cycles. Looking at property price data going back to 1999, Manhattan condominium prices were going up from 1999 to 2008, had a dip in 2009 and remained flat in 2010, and then went back up from 2011 to 2017.
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The 7-year up cycle ran its course and we went to a down cycle. If 2009/2010 can be a gauge, it previously was down one year and remained flat another year. Manhattan experienced a dip between 2017 and 2019, and due to COVID 19, 2020 saw the dip extending as the market and entire U.S. economy came to a standstill. The original 2017 to 2019 slowdown started with the market’s reaction to the decreased tax deductibility on primary residence property. And then it was driven by (i) increased mansion tax and oversupply in the $5m+ high end segment, (ii) increased inventory, (iii) the typical down cycle after an up cycle (2011-2017).
Read the latest Manhattan property market report
Impact of COVID 19 and Q3’2020
The three key points from Q3’2020 data are:
(i) Sales volume was down 46 percent, the second largest drop ever.
(ii) Listing inventory was up significantly due to pent up supply from Q1 and Q2.
(iii) Listing discount at 10 percent was the highest ever in recent history
The U.S. housing market as a whole is doing very well due to limited supply and record low mortgage rates. Even the suburbs close to New York City, in New Jersey and Long Island, are experiencing a very hot market. Properties are sold in 2 days! Only Manhattan and other large urban areas that are suffering as people move out of the city.
Manhattan condominium historical appreciation
Deal example: Client’s condo at 111 Murray, opposite Goldman Sachs HQ (the green building). Booked at pre-construction, prices up about 20 percent.
Weimin’s article, Investing in Tribeca property.
How much Manhattan residential condos cost now
Back in 1999, price per sqft was $480. The peak was in 2017 at $2,149. The below are key data points on a Manhattan condominium in Q3, 2020.
The average price and price per sqft increase is because it is comparing against Q3’2019. In Q3’2019, the price of closed apartments skewed lower. Reason is that higher price point apartments all tried to close in Q2’2019 due to increased mansion taxes for higher price apartments which became applicable starting Q3’2019.
Average price $3.392m (+43.3% vs prior year)
Price per square foot $2,016 (+3.3%)
Transactions 612 (-43.2%)
Months of supply 21.9 months (+108%)
Sales volume in Q3, 2020 dropped 43.2 percent vs a year ago as people moved out of Manhattan or decided to hold off on property purchase. Price per square foot was $2,016, up 3.3 percent from a year ago. When compared to the peak of 2017, price per square foot in Q3, 2020 was down 7 percent.
These declines are significant in a non-speculative market like Manhattan. Property prices go up because of inflation, so it’ll never go to the levels of year 2000 or even year 2009. The same reason the cost of a burger now will not go down to their price in year 2009.
This is because central banks continually print more currency every year hence making each dollar worth less than, say, 10 years ago. Naturally, more dollars are required to buy the same goods (or Manhattan property) now vs 10 years ago because of the concept of inflation.
In 2009, prices came down by about 15 percent. And in Q3’2020, prices were down by about 7 percent compared to 2017. While prices are still at historical highs, it has to be viewed in the context of cycles and dips, driven by inflation.
Deal example: Client bought and then sold this prewar condo that is one block from the World Trade Center, New York’s largest development.
Why investors globally track Manhattan property prices
Manhattan and London are deemed the world’s top two cities for asset diversification and price stability. These are the only two Alpha++ cities.
Key reasons high net worth individuals globally invest in Manhattan are:
(1) Asset diversification
(2) Stable price increases
(3) Low credit risk
(4) Tax breaks such as depreciation
Investing in a penthouse Manhattan apartment
How long will this slowdown last?
The property slowdown has been on for about 4 years, from mid 2017 until now. The last downturn in 2009 was about 2 years. In the beginning of 2020, we were seeing more transaction volume but COVID 19 changed everything.
The U.S. housing market is currently very robust, despite COVID 19. This is because of low supply and record low mortgage rates. Only Manhattan and the big cities that are suffering. In Manhattan, work from home policies and people wanting to avoid big city density resulted in people moving out. Rental vacancy rate is at a high of 5 percent. In the sale market, listing discount of 10.3 percent is abnormal by historical standards.
New developments
Since mid 2017, the smart new development projects have been pricing according to the market and offering concessions, which never used to happen in a normal market. For example, the developer covers part of the transfer taxes that is otherwise paid by buyer.
New developments that were selling well before COVID hit are still doing fine. But that is not the case for the less popular developments. Ultimately it boils down to having a good product in a good location. This will sell, although buyers will want more concessions. The overpriced projects are facing challenging times especially in the wake of the pandemic.
Read about How to buy new launch property in Manhattan
Deal example: Represented multiple buyers at 130 William, FiDi’s new development with very low carrying costs and full amenities. Proximity to the Fulton Street subway station and high quality finishes such as marble bathroom, solid wood doors make this a good buy.
When do we return to normal
Now is a good time to be a buyer. Buyers benefit from the slow market which leads to more negotiability. Currently new developments are offering concessions and even price discount, something that never happened in a normal market. For resales, higher price point properties, $3m and above, have greater negotiability than the mass market $1m to $2m properties.
Normalcy will come when people return to the office. Working from home is not productive and quite distractive. When the whole family is working or attending school from home, it is hard to focus. Human beings are social animals. We need to interact with others as a basic need. Looking at zoom video conferences cannot fulfill that need.
Restaurants have reopened although at 25 percent capacity. One year from now, people will be back at work, that is when things are back to normal. Manhattan needs office people in shirts and suits walking around. And of course, the tourists, who have started coming back.
Weekly sales trend from March COVID lockdown until present
The charts below, courtesy of data analysis firm Urbandigs, show Manhattan market trends on a weekly basis from the March 2020 COVID lockdown until now. Supply has been increasing but seem to have stabilized. Number of deals have been increasing, with the lowest point being in June/July which we can deduce to be the bottom of the market.
In representing buyers, I have been experiencing multiple bid scenarios and even bidding wars. One of the charts shows that sale activity is back to 2019 levels.
What We Do
We focus on global investors buying Manhattan condos for portfolio diversification and long term return-on-investment.
1) Identify the right buy based on objectives
2) Manage the buy process
3) Rent out the property
4) Manage tenants
5) Market the property at the eventual sale
Notes: This article was updated Nov 27, 2020
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