The complete 2026 framework for buying a Manhattan apartment — costs, co-op vs. condo, board approval, mansion tax, Local Law 97. By a Manhattan broker since 2013.

Foreign buyers in Manhattan face FIRPTA withholding, condo-only restrictions, and tax-residency questions. Here's the playbook for non-US buyers.

A Manhattan co-op's financials reveal more about your future maintenance bill than the listing ever will. Read them like a board treasurer.

Manhattan co-op boards typically require 25-30% post-tax DTI; condos look for 36-45%. Here's the income you need by price point and asset class.

Sponsor units in Manhattan skip board approval and allow LLC purchases — but premiums of 5-15% and unrenovated condition often offset the advantages.

The 421-a abatement saves new-development buyers thousands per year — until it expires and taxes triple overnight. Here's how to read the schedule.

Whether to rent or buy in Manhattan depends on time horizon, opportunity cost, and rent equivalence — not interest rates. Here's the actual framework.

Choosing the right Manhattan real estate broker is the highest-leverage decision in selling your apartment. Here's what to ask before signing.

The NYC mansion tax starts at 1% above $1M and tops out at 3.9% above $25M. Here's the full bracket table and how to plan your offer around it.

Manhattan co-op board approval takes 4-8 weeks from package submission to interview. Here's the full timeline and what slows it down most.

Buying a Manhattan apartment costs 2-3% of price for co-ops and 3-6% for condos with a mortgage. Here's the line-by-line breakdown of every closing cost.

In Manhattan, co-ops are typically 10-40% cheaper than comparable condos but require board approval. Here's how to choose between the two for your purchase.

Albany is debating a Manhattan pied-à-terre tax again. What Paris, Vancouver, and London tell us about how this kind of tax actually plays out.

Q1 2026 Manhattan contracts are down but prices held. Deals aren't breaking on price — they're breaking on buildings, boards, banks, and momentum.

From Central Park West to Billionaires' Row, nearly one in three Manhattan condo resales traded below original sponsor price between July 2024 and July 2025.