Over all these years of marketing an array of Manhattan maisons, I have observed a consistent criteria of buyers' aesthetic expectations that must be MET - but not necessarily exceeded - to maximize returns from the market.


And the result is clear: Botox over facelift. Minimalism on renovation + maximalism on staging. Cue the before and afters!

All of the original appliances and tile remain, but suddenly I want to move right in.

 

 

40 is the new 20

What buyers consider "renovated" in Manhattan might astound you. Many 20 year old renovations still strike buyers from all generations as "new" when properly presented. It isn't until about 40 years + where things start to feel "old" (I can relate) which is where our makeover magic is the most effective. But even when a property is brand new, all ages still benefit exponentially from the same professional touch.

The Ultimate Flex

Here are a few exceptional examples from the top stager in the game - Jason Saft of Staged to Sell Home. And none of these required actual renovations.

Yes, these are dramatic examples, but even if your home is well renovated and nicely decorated, you are likely still leaving money on the table without a few adjustments prescribed by a pro. Never assume buyers will see around normal day-to-day disarray.

 

Before: Estate sale condition 365+ days on market

 

 

 

After: In contract within 16 days

 

 

 

 

Before

 

 

 

 

After - I realize not everyone is this adventurous, but it illustrates the point

 

 

 

 

Before: Unrenovated townhouse

 

 

 

 

After: Selected as Curbed's "Home of the Year" and sold to a reader of the article for full ask.

 

 

 

At our recent listing in Flatiron, we opted to spend 10K on furnishings with a professional stager, rather than refinish the floors and the closets, which will absolutely need to be addressed. The cost to do either could have been similar, and the furniture is only temporary so while it may seem like a less practical choice, the staging still has a much more dramatic effect, allowing buyers to envision themselves there. That fresh coat of paint is always a game changer. And here, the most transformative part of the prep here was painting the kitchen cabinets from their original natural wood finish. While the countertops and everything remained the same, buyers could now perceive it as move-in-ready without renovation. And sure enough we are signing a contract now after only a few days of showings in the $1.4Ms, We estimated the price at $1.2M if he had opted not to do the staging.

 

 

 

 

When making important improvements to your person or property, make sure you are in the skilled hands of a professional, and rest well knowing that the investment WILL pay dividends.

 And if this preliminary investment causes staging sticker shock, we can utilize our Compass Concierge program to pay for the costs upfront, which are then reimbursed out of the proceeds of the sale at closing. So there is officially no excuse for hitting the market without your home looking its best. Contact me for more information on the program.

Visit the staging section of our website to see more of our favorite listing transformations at"

Before and afters from our Penthouse listing at 50 Avenue A, staged by Katerina Mishelle Design.

See you soon!