How to Get Your Bronxville NY Coop Noticed and SOLD

Despite the desirability of Bronxville real estate, many coops languish. We’ve established the challenges a Bronxville coop seller faces, and why expecting buyers to use their imagination is a bad strategy. Now let’s talk about how to rise above, and get your property noticed, and SOLD!

When looking at their own space, a sellers’ vision is clouded. Being so familiar, they just don’t see it (or any options) anymore. And since our spaces are extensions of our selves, OF COURSE they are JUST FINE the way they are...!

However, latest NAR Buyer Preference stats show 92% of buyers shop online, with 50% using a mobile app to aid their search. Trust this Westchester County Home Stager: Good and quality listing photos are buyer-nip. They drive traffic, and need to shine from Day One.

Sellers sell for all sorts of reasons, but buyers buy to be happy. Know your buyer. Stay focused on their needs, and understand their motivation- this is your ticket to selling quickly, and well.

Bronxville coop buyers are often singles or young couples, sometimes moving up from the city, testing the waters of surburbia...OR downsizers who want to stay local, just not maintain a house anymore. .

Most coops are generally 1000 sf or less, realize these buyers could see a coop as ’settling’: first-time buyers who may have been hoping for a house, or downsizers who are sadly bidding their house goodbye.

By demonstrating the most value, you open your buyer net. Simple, and serene is a big draw; quality, with a polished and reasonably fashion-conscious look will attract the most, and best-qualified buyers.

Too many personal ‘stamps’ get in the way of buyers seeing the function/value of your space, but you’d be surprised how quick, easy and inexpensive it could be to remedy. Here are the biggest speed bumps I see in current listings:

The Furniture

You’re not decorating, but the wrong pieces send the wrong messages, and narrow your buying pool. Selling is a game, play the game to win. Borrow, trade, even buy or put things in storage if you have to (it could be a deduction!). Take a look around and ask yourself-

Did you bring EVERYTHING from your house when you moved? Lots of carved, leggy, and fragile looking Nanna upholstery, too-big (and filled) filled china cabinets, walls covered in oversize art, tabletops full of tschokes-all big buyer turnoffs. Often quality in it’s day, today it’s waaay too personal, and gets in the way.

Lower sofas, tables and lamps are oddly proportioned to buyers’ eyes. Too many things shrink a space and distract buyers; and it does not reflect how people live today. Worse, it could be viewed as an estate sale>bad karma, and inviting of low-ball offers.

Bachelor furniture? Oversized (usually) leather upholstery, multiple electronics, a ginormous TV? Rarely are there amenities like end tables, lamps, window treatments or even matching towels. Your buyer may end up living the same way, but that’s be their choice...AFTER they moved in! As is, you’re alienating buyers who want (and will pay for) grown-up experiences like entertaining, and waking up in a beautiful space.

Bachelorette, or dorm furniture? No matter your price point, “cute” does not put money in your pocket in 10708. Lots of little things do not read as valuable: Ruffled valences, an Ikea desk, a futon or the infamous Pier One Papasan chair? Ditch’em, ditto for cat hotels, patchwork quilts, or anything in soft pastels. Again, new purchases would not only come to the new place with you, often they are considered a deduction against proceeds when you sell.

NEXT: Your colors, your Realtor, and me!

Marie Graham is an Interior Decorator, a Home Stager, and owner of The Refreshed Home. Bringing a thoughtful approach to the creative process for a lot of years, sign up for her class at Bronxville Adult School 3/11/15!