Removing rugs, decluttering, and other tips to make your condo shine.
Are you preparing to add your home to other Chelsea NYC condos for sale in the next few months? Though the Manhattan real estate market is making a comeback after the pandemic, it is still a buyer’s market with more properties listed than there are interested buyers. This means you need to ensure you put your best foot forward when it comes to preparing your condo for listing, so you can attract the ideal buyers and get the most out of the sale.
One of the best ways to appeal to buyers is to have your condo professionally staged. Research has shown that staged properties sell for an average of 17% more and 87% faster than those homes that are not staged.
Not sure if you want to invite a stranger into your home to rearrange your belongings and redecorate your condo? You can still experience many of the benefits of staging if you do it yourself. These tips will help you create an atmosphere that is appealing to buyers and will increase your chances of selling your home for the amount you need.
- Maximize Space
- Remove Personalization
- Deep Clean
- Let in the Light
- Repaint
- Remove Rugs and Other Floor Coverings
- Don’t Forget Outdoor Spaces
Almost everyone who is looking for Chelsea NYC condos for sale will be paying close attention to how much space is available, so maximizing what you have is crucial, especially because the average apartment size in Manhattan is a mere 701 square feet. One of the ways to maximize your space is to ensure you declutter and remove as many of your personal belongings as possible. Clear out any off-season clothing, pack up books and papers, and store away small appliances, hobby materials, and other belongings you will not need access to during the selling process. Then, rather than stuffing these items into closets or other storage spaces, rent a storage unit so you can keep them far from the eyes of interested buyers.
Another way to maximize space is to downsize your furniture. A living room packed wall-to-wall with couches, chairs, and end tables will look much smaller than a room with just a loveseat and accent chair. You may also want to consider putting your king bed into storage and replacing it with a queen or twin to make your bedroom appear larger.
The goal of staging is to help prospective buyers visualize themselves living in your condo. It’s difficult for a buyer to do this if your apartment is packed with family photos, unique artwork, and your own personal collection of comic books. Go through your condo and remove any items that are unique or personal, and put them into storage. Replace them with more neutral décor that appeals to your target market or general prospective buyers.
Chelsea NYC condos for sale that are sparkling clean will appeal to buyers, who largely want an apartment that has been well-cared for. Though you may think it’s an easy task to personally clean your condo—especially if it’s on the smaller side—you will likely be better off hiring a cleaning company that specializes in prepping homes for listing. A professional cleaner will know what areas to pay special attention to and will ensure every nook and cranny of your condo is ready for the scrutinizing eyes of potential buyers.
Chelsea NYC condos for sale are not just limited on space—they’re usually limited on windows as well. To highlight your windows and ensure they are letting in the maximum amount of light, remove any heavy draperies or curtains. Most Chelsea NY real estate experts suggest either having a miniblind that is pulled all the way up, soft sheers that are pulled to the side, or leaving your windows uncovered.
To enhance the natural light coming in from your windows, make sure you have plenty of other sources of light in the form of lamps and light fixtures. Small fixtures that produce a lot of light are ideal as they won’t take up precious space. Consider slender, unobtrusive lamps or track lighting with bright LED bulbs to brighten up your condo.
You’ve likely made your condo your own while you’ve lived there. This could mean you’ve painted your bedroom a deep dusky rose, or maybe you’ve added a purple accent wall to the living room to really put your unique stamp on your home. Unfortunately, these unique touches may not be as appealing to prospective buyers as they are to you. To ensure your place is appealing to those looking at Chelsea NYC condos for sale, repaint any walls that are not neutral or that have started to show signs of wear. Choose off-whites, beiges, or tans that are universally appealing and to make rooms appear larger.
Most Chelsea NY real estate staging experts recommend removing all floor coverings prior to listing as they tend to divide rooms into smaller chunks and get in the way of a seamless flow. This applies to large area rugs in the living room or bedroom and smaller rugs in the kitchen and bath areas. Before you list, roll up your rugs and put them into storage.
Chelsea NYC condos for sale with outdoor spaces are hard to come by, so if you have a patio or balcony—no matter how small—play it up as much as possible. If there’s room, stage it with a small bistro table and chairs. You can even set the table with a bottle of wine and a couple of wine glasses to create a good visual for prospective buyers.
Ready to sell your condo so you can relocate or move into a larger space? Staging it—either by hiring a professional or doing it yourself—is one of the best investments you can make to ensure your home sells for the maximum amount. If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to an experienced Chelsea NY real estate agent like those at the NYC Experience Team for expert guidance.
