Fourteen contracts were signed last week at $4 million and above, 2 fewer than the previous week. The numbers might seem mediocre, but they are in line with the same week in January in past years. Last year, for example, 15 contracts were signed; 2019: 11 contracts; 2018: 15 contracts; 2017: 13 contracts.

Stat Geek Alert: In the last 5 weeks, 90 contracts were signed at $4 million and above, the strongest 5-week holiday period since 2017, when 96 such contracts were signed.

Last week’s No. 1 contract was PH at 37 East 12th Street, asking $19.950 million, reduced from $33.5 million when it went on the market in April 2015. The triplex condo has 6,325 square feet including 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. The top floor has a rooftop terrace with 1,188 square feet. Common charges and taxes total $25,421 per month. Amenities in the 6-unit building include a doorman, gym, and storage. Adam Modlin of Modlin Real Estate represented the sponsor, Edward J. Minskoff. Andrew Anderson of Douglas Elliman represented the buyers, a New York family.

Anderson said it was the first apartment he showed his clients over a year ago, and they made an offer when it was listed at $22.65 million. Periodically, he would check in, and by November, the unit was on its 4th brokerage firm and the price was dropped to $19.950 million. “It’s got a really great terrace, and the scale and proportions are amazing. It’s open and loft-like but still has some intimate spaces, tall ceilings, light and air,” said Anderson. “Once they adjusted the price, we submitted another offer and this time got a different reaction.”

He added: “My personal view is the mass market doesn’t need to price 15% to 20% above market value. The sharper you price the product, the faster it sells. The market is sophisticated enough to recognize the seriousness of the seller, and realistic pricing moves a property faster.”

The No. 2 contract was PHS at 262 Central Park West, asking $19.75 million; it was listed in July. The penthouse co-op has 3 bedrooms, a library, and 4.5 bathrooms. A 2,500-square foot terrace wraps around the apartment. The living room, dining room, library, and kitchen open onto a terrace that spans 95-feet overlooking Central Park. The listing brokers were Sabrina Saltiel and Shari Scharfer Rollins of Douglas Elliman and James Flowers, also of Elliman, represented the buyers, who are a New York family. “The terrace was unlike anything I have ever seen,” said Rollins. “Someone can move into the apartment or someone can renovate it to their own taste. It’s been well-maintained.”