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April 2017 Newsletter

 

 
Ahhhh! Spring in New York City.  We are almost upon the month of May.  To me, that is the best month of the year in the city.  The cold and rain of April are over, and the heat and humidity of the summer hasn't started. 

This month we are highlighting the staging and sale of a new 2 bedroom apartment on the Upper East Side. It had been on the market "furnished" for almost 4 months, but the furniture sparingly placed by the developer did not reflect the price point of the home, nor whom the target buyer would be.  The furniture was removed, and after we staged it, an offer was accepted in just one montht!  See below for more information and the Before and After photos. 

Warm Regards, 

Donna M. Dazzo, President
Designed To Appeal

P.S. I am proud to  let you know that I was interviewed for yet another article  in the New York Times Real Estate Section.  In this article i share tips on how to place a throw and asking an honest friend to tour your home before putting it on the market.
 
In This Issue
Testimonial of the Month:
Featured Staging: 2 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Condo On the Market Over 3 Months, Staged and "Sold" in 1 Month!!
Market Overview: New York, NY
Tips and Tricks of the Trade: Compact Living: Tips and Tricks for Everyday Living
Did You Know...? Mother's Day is Right Around the Corner!
Market Overview: The East End
FREE Closet Organization, Open House & Moving Checklists
 
  Testimonial of the MonthTestimonial

"
I had an incredible experience working with Donna and her team at Designed to Appeal when she staged a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home on the Upper East Side for me. In a small boutique new development condominium, the 3rd floor home was the last on the market and the trickiest to sell. Showing the empty apartment did not allow buyers to see the potential the home had to offer. Buyers could not envision the space and were not able to picture their family living in this home. 

When Donna came in, we had been on the market for 4 months through the spring and summer markets. We needed the apartment staged immediately and she quickly got to work. Her team took control of everything and within days the empty apartment was transformed into a home. 

I was able to relaunch the listing, bring new eyes to the building and secure a strong offer for my clients. In my business, I believe in the power of staging above all else and Donna's team not only got it done but validated my belief - I only wish I had contacted her sooner! I highly recommend Designed to Appeal and look forward to working with them on future projects.
"

  
Bianca D'Alessio
Nestseekers International, New York, NY
 
Upper East Side  2 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Condo 
On the Market Almost 4 Months, 
Staged and "Sold" in 1 Month!!



This lovely two bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom apartment, with a bonus room staged as a guest bedroom/study, had been on the market for almost 4 months before we were contacted by the real estate agent, Bianca D'Alessio, now with the Ryan Serhant Team of Nestseekers. The apartment was sparingly furnished and not with the right style and price point to attract the target buyer.

We had previously staged a similar apartment in another building built by the same developer on the Upper East Side.  Bianca asked us to recreate as much as possible the look and feel of the similar apartment.  

In our earlier staging, we had purchased furniture and accessories for the developer, but we didn't have the luxury of time this go round.  So we rented furniture and brought in our own accessories.  

The apartment received an offer just ONE month after being staged! Staging works!
    
Living Area Before Staging


Living Area After Staging


Dining/Living Areas Before Staging


Dining/Living Area After Staging

Kitchen Before Staging



Kitchen After Staging

Master Bedroom Before Staging

 
Master Bedroom After Staging


Kid's Bedroom Before Staging 


Kid's Bedroom After Staging


Office/Guest Bedroom Before Staging


Office/Guest Bedroom After Staging

Master Bathroom Before Staging
 
Master Bathroom After Staging


Guest Bathroom Before Staging


Guest Bathroom After Staging
 
   Corcoran


To view the entire report click   here.
 
 Tips
Tips and Tricks of the Trade: 
Compact Living: Tips and Tricks For Everyday Living

Whether looking for a bigger picture perspective or determining how to tackle minute design details, Houzz contributor Laura Gaskill offers some insight and strategy helpful toward getting the most out of tricky areas of a room. 

Planning Your Space

Tim Cuppet Architects

From tiny one-room studios to railroad apartments, not all small spaces are created equal - get a handle on the best way to arrange furniture in your space by scoping out how others have handled similar space issues. 

For instance, in a living room with many doors and windows (like the one shown here), pull your seating arrangement together in the center of the room, and use matched sofas or armchairs to create a cohesive look.

Storage and Organizing



From trading in your bulky desktop computer and sound system for a sleep laptop and iPod dock, to embracing folding furnishings and seeking out sneaky storage pieces, there is a lot you can do to win the battle with clutter in your small space.

                                                               
 
If you can splurge on a custom detail or two, you can really go wild with smart storage ideas. For instance, why not add recessed shelves, hidden cabinets or a flat-screen TV on a panel that pivots?


Decorating



Decorators know there are certain things that always make a small space feel more spacious: Transparent or mirrored furnishings, cleared floors, simple upholstery (skip the ruffles) and well-lit rooms top the list. 

Entryway



Whether you have an open entryway, a narrow hall or a front door that opens into a stairwell, small-space dwellers nearly always have issues with entryway storage. Look for slim, wall-mounted storage, like floating shelves, cabinets and coat trees, to make the most of available space. And in the tightest spaces, wall brackets and hooks are your best friends.

To read about more tips click   here!
 
Didyouknow    Did You Know.....? 
   Mother's Day is Right Around the Corner!
                                           
 
 
Mother's Day is always observed on the second Sunday in May in the United States, and this year that falls on May 14th. It is also celebrated in many other countries, sometimes at different times of the year, for instance, in the UK it is celebrated in March.

The following are some other interesting facts about this holiday compiled by CNN



In the United States, 26.3 was the average age of a mother giving birth for the first time in 2014. 

                

Earlier traditions for observing Mother's Day included going to church and writing letters to their mothers. Eventually, the sending of cards and giving of gifts or flowers was added to the mix. 

 
Approximately 65% of card sales occur five days prior to Mother's Day. 

 
Anna Jarvis began the tradition of wearing a carnation on Mother's Day, and to this day it is the most popular flower in recognition of this holiday. A colored carnation means that a person's mother is living. A white carnation indicates that a person's mother is deceased. 


To read the entire article, click  here!
 
 
According to George R. Simpson, President of Suffolk Research Service, Inc., the real estate market on the East End of Long Island is showing a mixed trend. Median Price and Unit Sales are up from 1st Qtr 2016 while Dollar Sales are down. 

The following is a comparison of First Quarter  2017 vs. First Quarter 2016 , b y town, according to  Suffolk Research Service, Inc.
 

To read the entire report click here!
 
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