234 East 35th Street, Apartment 11
THE FACTS: A 296-square-foot co-op studio with built-in loft bed.
ASKING PRICE: $269,000.
MAINTENANCE: $537 per month.
AGENT: Oren Shalev, Anchor Associates.
From the ad:
“Distress sale … charming studio.”
Why the fire sale?
The owner has already put in an offer on an apartment in the Village, so the clock’s ticking.
Second opinion:
“It’s a nice discount, but not a steal,” says Corcoran’s John Gasdaska.
In 2007, it would’ve gone for: $330,000.
251 West 19th Street, Apartment 1C
THE FACTS: A 1,342-square-foot one-bedroom, two-bath duplex loft condo.
ASKING PRICE: $1.1 million.
CHARGES AND TAXES: $1,425 per month.
AGENTS: Heloisa Gilbert and Seymour Miles, Corcoran.
From the ad:
“Time is of the essence! Rush & make an offer!”
Why the fire sale?
It’s called a “short sale,” which is to say that the bank is handling it. The seller bought at an “unrealistic price” and needs out, says Gilbert.
Second opinion:
“If I had a million dollars and wanted to be in the area, I’d buy this,” says Jim Lanfranchi of Archer Meade Appraisals, a Manhattan residential specialist.
In 2007, it would’ve gone for: $1.8 million.
144 West 27th Street, Apartment 5R
THE FACTS: A three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath live-work loft condo.
ASKING PRICE: $2.6 million.
CHARGES AND TAXES: $2,701 per month.
AGENTS: Grant Priest and Brian Meier, Prudential Douglas Elliman.
The pitch:
“This is a must sell… Even better the owner is ready to make a deal.”
Why the price?
“We have a motivated seller [who] understands the market,” says Priest.
Second opinion:
Gasdaska declares it “an excellent deal, given the low maintenance, condition, and size.”
In 2007, it would’ve gone for: $3.3 million to $3.6 million.
170 East 92nd Street, Apartment 3B
THE FACTS: A 512-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bath co-op with a fireplace.
ASKING PRICE: $399,999.
MAINTENANCE: $611 per month.
AGENTS: Oren Shalev and Sunny Itay Zachy, Anchor Associates.
From the ad:
“Fire sale; spacious coop on 92nd & Lex; great location, call now!”
Why the fire sale?
The owner is “fed up” after trying to sell for a year, says Shalev. A previous deal fell through, and now it’s priced to move as soon as possible.
Second opinion:
It’s an “okay” discount, says Lanfranchi, who notes that a comparable unit sold for around $422,000 this past fall.
In 2007, it would’ve gone for: $450,000.
*Note: Our second-guessers have based their price estimates on comparable sales, floor plans, and ads; they have not visited the actual apartments.