That's actually exactly what's happening in the management companies. If you go an ask for an apartment from a broker in a price range in a neighborhood range

That's actually exactly what's happening in the management companies. If you go an ask for an apartment from a broker in a price range in a neighborhood range you will automatically be told "That's a nice idea, but what youre asking for doesn't exist. Try this one for the same price in a different neighborhood, or try the same neighborhood for $300 more than you would pay." If you are trying to move to a similar apartment that you are in, in the same neighborhood, for the same price, you will be told your apartment does not exist. If you go to a management company trying to get into a big complex like StuyTown or any of the luxury rentals you will be quoted a price that is pulled out of thin air, and you will be lied to that "this is the last apartment available in XYZ highrise." In short, managers are absolutely sitting on the best deals because they ALWAYS try to move the riskier product first. As the market gets worse, there is more risky property available, and thus it is even HARDER to find a good deal in a bad economy through brokers (the current gatekeepers of the market).