What constitutes "rarely available?"

If it means anything at all, it means that that particular apartment is rarely available to that particular broker.

That's all.

technologic, I wouldn't put any stock in the wording on listings. "Rarely available" sounds like a ploy to me. A little research on Streeteasy or ACRIS should be able to tell you how frequently apartments in the building really turn over. With a small co-op, it shouldn't be surprising that listings turn up only once every couple years or so, so take that for what it's worth as well.

why not check listing and sales history and judge for yourself

OK, thanks guys.

I've seen that term quite often in the last year. This year it pretty much means what alanhart wrote.

Treat it like those rare double eagle gold coin commercials. (you can expect them for sale tomorrow too)

"If it means anything at all, it means that that particular apartment is rarely available to that particular broker."

I think it means "I don't know much, but I'm trying to sell this apartment for more than its worth".

“When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less.”

Sometimes "rarely available" is actually true. For example, I know of some buildings where apartments in the best lines generally only come up every few years -- usually when someone dies.

That said, unless you're focused on a particular building, who cares? The apartment either fits your criteria and is priced well or it doesn't and isn't. And if an apartment is the first one you've seen in six months that has everything you're looking for in your price range, you don't need a broker to tell you it's rare.

Right on, Miette.

Rarely available=happens every day=broker BS

broker's BS: "rarely available", "lots of charm", "lot of character", "original details" all mean the same thing - it is a piece of $hit property you need to gut renovate.

"Sometimes "rarely available" is actually true. For example, I know of some buildings where apartments in the best lines generally only come up every few years "

"loft" and "cozy" and "priced to move" are occasionally true, too.... but rarely.

784 Park Avenue #14B is an example of what Miette mentioned above:
http://www.warburgrealty.com/property/601666
This line is in fact rarely available, and #14B came on the market because the owner passed on. Granted, most potential buyers probably didn't care about the scarcity of B-line listings, and the few who did care already knew.

I suppose it's one of those things brokers mention reflexively, without really considering wehether there's any value to it.