Seller's Guide
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Selling your apartment in Manhattan can often be a tricky venture. In fact, many find it to be quite overwhelming, so it is important that one takes the time to prepare before undertaking this endeavor. While your sales agent will most likely help you prepare your marketing materials and set up your open houses, there are additional steps you can take on your own to help ensure that your listing puts its best face forward.
BEFORE YOUR FIRST SHOWING
There are a number of issues that should be addressed before the first time you invite prospective buyers into your home. It is an excellent idea to find a place to move before you officially decide to sell your NYC luxury apartment. This is not mandatory, of course, but often helps to alleviate stress later on, and can also aid in avoiding a sense of urgency which may cause you to sell for lower than you would otherwise be able to obtain. Another thing to consider is the necessity of renovations and/or small repairs. By making these “touch-ups”, a New York City luxury apartment can end up selling for even more than you had originally hoped, and is often worth the extra time and minimal investment they would require.
CLEANLINESS AND NEATNESS
Making sure your apartment is clean and neat is essential to the selling process. Those searching for luxury real estate in Manhattan expect the best, so it is important to present your home in the most positive light possible. A perfect example of this is washing windows, floors, and carpets, as well as polishing wooden furniture and any counter-tops. Emptying clutter in closets, freshening upholstery, and being certain that all doorknobs and locks are functioning properly are also precautions that can aid in the sale of your property.
On the actual day of the showing, there are additional steps that you can take to ensure your home is at its best. Beds should be made. Clothing, children’s toys, magazines, newspapers and exercise equipment should be stored out of sight, and all drapes should be opened and lights turned on, all of which adds to the sense of open space in the apartment while at the same time making it physically brighter. And of course, keeping pets out of the way, and their areas clean and odor free, is also crucial. Organization is extremely important; remember, prospective buyers will do their best to inspect every nook and cranny, so the more put-together your home is, the better your chances of making a sale.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Aside from cleanliness and neatness, there are an array of other steps you can take to make your luxury apartment more attractive to potential buyers. Enhancing the “natural disposition” of your home can be helpful. In other words, if your apartment is in a pre-war building, keep with that aesthetic, as opposed to attempting to make it look more modern. Soft music playing in the background, along with freshly cut flowers on countertops and tables are also avenues to be explored, in that they set the mood and offer additionally appealing ambiance. It is also important to note that studies have shown that prospective buyers often feel more comfortable viewing a property when the owner is not present at the showing. The idea is to get buyers to imagine themselves living in your luxury apartment. With these helpful tips, selling your New York City apartment can be a less stressful experience for both you and your future buyer. In essence, it all boils down to presenting your apartment as the type of place in which someone searching through Manhattan real estate listings will not only want to reside, but also one in which they would want to make a home.
