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The search to buy your dream home in New York City should be an exciting journey. It means spending your weekends exploring vibrant neighborhoods, picturing your furniture arranged just right in a sunny West Village co-op or an airy condo in Bushwick, and soaking in the unique, fast-paced energy of a city built on endless possibilities. But letâs face it: navigating the New York housing landscape is an extreme sport.
Some homes are now sold as âprivate listingsâ, marketed quietly to one brokerageâs agents and clients, or to a small invite-only network, instead of posted publicly where every buyer can find them. Sellers are often told itâs the discreet, exclusive way to sell. Buyers usually never learn the home was available. This trend only makes a challenging housing market worse.
Facing a regional housing deficit, every single listing sees intense competition. According to the September 2026 NYC housing market reportfrom StreetEasy, inventory fell 4.9% in September vs. a year ago to 16,737 homes, marking the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year inventory decline since January. And in such a challenging market, how a property makes its entrance â whether through a public listing or in an off-market network â profoundly affects both the buyer’s search and the seller’s ultimate success.
Empowering buyers and building lifelong trust
For buyers, an open housing market is all about freedom and empowerment. New York City homeownership comes with distinct challenges: only about 33% of residents own their homes, roughly half the national average of 65%, according to data from the NYU Furman Center. In such a competitive landscape, access to inventory is everything. Home buyers want to feel confident that they are seeing the full picture rather than missing out because they aren’t connected to an exclusive inner circle.
Buyers are loud and clear about what they want: A StreetEasy YouGov survey revealed that 90% of New York City buyers want to see every home on the market to make an informed decision about their future. Thatâs not a surprise. Buyers use every listing to judge whether a price is fair, whether a neighborhood fits their budget, and when to make an offer. Each home they donât see is information they donât have.
Caroline Burton, general manager of StreetEasy, agrees: “All buyers should be able to see all of the listings for sale. Period.” Buying a home is a major milestone, and every aspiring homeowner deserves an unobstructed view of their options.
Why maximum market visibility matters for sellers
Selling a home is a massive emotional and financial undertaking and pursuing a private marketing approach is often pitched as a shortcut: less exposure can mean less disruption. . But real estate economics are simple: broad public reach yields competition and the best possible outcome for a sellerâs investment.
When a home is shared widely across public platforms, it opens the door to the greatest number of qualified buyers. Instead of limiting interest to a closed circle, sellers invite in the full engagement of the market.
According to data from Zillow Research, homes sold privately in NYC go for about 3.7% less than comparable homes listed publicly. More importantly, while some sellers could be initially drawn to the idea of a private sale, a comprehensive StreetEasy Harris Poll survey found that a striking 1 in 3 New York City sellers who listed privately experienced sellerâs remorse, compared to just 12% of those who chose public listings.
“Sellers are best served when the most buyers can see their home,” Burton notes. Broad market visibility fosters healthy competition, resulting in fair transactions that benefit all involved.
A statewide commitment to fairness and transparency
This shared vision for a fairer marketplace extends far beyond individual transactions and is becoming the standard for New York State. Recognizing the immense value of clarity and informed choice, lawmakers in Albany have championed the Fair and Transparent Real Estate Listings Act(S10274 / A10679), passing in both houses with near-unanimous bipartisan support. Sponsored by New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez and Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, the legislation reflects a profound commitment to consumer empowerment.
Under the act, listed homes must default to public marketing and sellers have the right to opt out by signing a standardized state disclosure. Set to take effect 180 days after being signed into law, this legislation is a huge win for consumer rights and fair housing practices across the five boroughs.
Ready to explore your next chapter?
Navigating the New York real estate market should feel empowering for everyone involved. Sellers have an opportunity to foster an open market that generates enthusiasm, engagement, and the highest sale. Buyers deserve clarity on the housing landscape and ease in navigating their home search.
If you’re ready to dive into your next real estate journey with complete clarity and confidence, check out StreetEasy Open Markets for helpful insights and tools.
As Burton says, “Nobody moves to New York for fewer options.” Open markets mean open doors and a more connected way home.
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