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November 2010 Newsletter
Greetings!

What are the things you are thankful for?

I recently had to furnish an apartment for parents of a young woman suddenly stricken with brain cancer.  The parents were from out of town and rented an empty apartment which needed to be furnished so that they could spend time here while their daughter was being treated.  Her friends raised nearly $100,000 in a few short weeks to help with her treatment.

It made me realize that there are a few things that I am very thankful for:
  • My family
  • My friends
  • My good health

While money can certainly make our existence easier and less stressful at times, if we don't have a close family, good friends and good health, money "doesn't buy happiness", as they say.

 

So, I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving that is filled with family, friends and good health.


Warmest regards,

Donna M. Dazzo, President
Designed to Appeal
 
In This Issue
Price Increased $26,000 After Staging
Market Overview: New York, NY
Tips and Tricks of the Trade
Did you know...
Market Overview: The East End
F/REE Closet Organization, Open House & Moving Checklists
 
                  House
      
       Price Increased $26,000
          after Home Staging




 
Real estate agent Hanina Levin asked Designed to Appeal to stage the living room of this Manhattan Valley one bedroom apartment that had been on the market for almost 5 months.

After we staged the living room (and threw in some red kitchen accessories as well as provided advice on paint color and how to stage the bedroom and terrace -- all at no extra charge), the real estate agent raised the price 5% or $26,000 to $525,000!  She was ecstatic at the transformation we had made.

The client's investment in staging was about $3,000 which resulted in a $26,000 increase in the perceived value of the apartment!

Below see our Before and After pictures as well as what Hanina had to say about Designed to Appeal and our staging.

Living Rm Before

Lvg Room After

Living Rm Before

Living Rm After

  
 
Testimonial of the Month
Hanina Levin

 

 

  "Donna Dazzo is a miracle worker!"

 

 

 

 

 

 Hanina Levin

 Fenwick Keats Goodstein


"The transformation of this apartment was truly astonishing.  Donna took a vacant apartment and created a gorgeous home.

 

We have raised our asking price accordingly as we think buyers will want to move right in!

 

Aside from being a supremely skilled stager Donna is also a pleasure to work with. I would not hesitate to recommend her for any of your staging needs."

 

   Market Overview:
     New York, NY


According to Corcoran's October monthly report:

For October 2010 vs September 2010:

  • The number of signed contracts increased
  • Median price also increased
  • However, average number of days on the market also increased
  • Listed inventory remained unchanged
  • New listings represent a 24% decrease
  • Absorption increased 16%
  •  

 

 Condos:

  • The median sale price of $1,082,000 represents a 3% increase from last month and a 2% decrease from same month 2009
  • The average price per square foot of $1,270 is a 3% increase from last month and a 7% increase from same time last year
  • Days on the market increased 27% from last month to 234, but improved 10% from the same month last year
  • Discount from Last Ask to Sale Price was 7% in October vs 6% in September and 10.8% in October of last year
  • Number of contracts signed increased this month 12% to 349, but 14% less than October of last year
Co-ops:
  • The median sale price of $725,000 represents a 24% increase from last month and an 18% increase from same month 2009
  • The average price per square foot of $902 is relatively unchanged from last month and is down 6% from same time last year
  • Days on the market increased 9% from last month to 159 and were unchanged from last year
  • Discount from Last Ask to Sale Price was 5.3% in October vs 6.3% in September and 4.6% in October of last year
  • Number of contracts signed increased this month 35% to 432, but 20% less than October of last year
 
 

Benj Moore Vintage Wine on Ceiling

                          
 Tips and Tricks of the Trade

Benjamin Moore's color designers are forecasting vintage wine  as Envision Color 2011's Color of the Year.

 

Benjamin Moore Vintage Wine

Vintage Wine

2116-20 

  

According to Benjamin Moore:

 

"First seen on the fashion runways of New York, Paris, and Milan, this rich hue with a deep brown base and a hint of smoky violet is just as magnificent in the home.

As an undertone in many of the latest wood finishes, leathers, and other textiles, vintage wine, and its lighter variations, will make a great paint color pick for many applications over the coming years.

 
From deep smoky wine to wildly pumped up fuchsia, purple promises to be a predominant color in home décor in 2011."

 

Benjamin Moore annually pronounce their predictions for the coming year in a booklet that's free and available through the paint company's extensive network of North American retailers.  It contains decorating ideas, photo illustrations, plus the forecasted palette of 18 hues.

 
 
 
Did you know....                
  • The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621?
  • It lasted three days (it consisted of games as well as food)?
  • Canada also celebrates Thanksgiving Day? However, it's the second Monday in October.
  • That a mature turkey has 3500 feathers?
  • You should thaw a wrapped turkey in the refrigerator for one day per 4 pounds?
  • Israel consumes the most turkey per year per capita?
  • There was no set day for Thanksgiving until l941 when President Roosevelt set it as the 4th Thursday in November?  Prior to that it had been celebrated as early as August and as late as December.
  • The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade was held in 1924?
 
 

 
     Market Overview: The East End




According to Suffolk Research Service, Inc. all of the annualized figures through the month of October as compared to all of 2009 increased as follows:


East Hampton Town:

  • The median sales price increased 3.5% to $939,900
  • The number of sales increased 66% to 553
  • The dollar volume of sales increased 85% to $984 million 
Southampton Town: 
  • The median sales price increased 1.7% to $802,000
  • The number of sales increased 326% to 1,042
  • The dollar volume of sales increased 29% to $1.571 billion 
  •  
  Southold Town: 
  • The median sales price increased 2.7% to $475,000
  • The number of sales increased 20% to 300
  • The dollar volume of sales increased 18.5% to $186 million 
  • 
 
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F/REE Closet Organization,
Open House, and Moving Checklists

 

Checklist


To request your FREE Closet Organization,  Open House and Moving Checklists, contact us.  Just put "Free Checklist" in the subject line, and we will know what to email to you. 


Home Staging
Consultation
(occupied homes)
 
For Manhattan and the Hamptons from Montauk to Southampton:  $300 for the first 2 hours, $100/hour thereafter
Other Areas:
  A travel premium will apply.

Click here for more information and to schedule a Home Staging Consultation.


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