We can also add “Revved Up” and “Rebounding” to that title – as the Manhattan real estate market is moving forward at an astonishing pace, showing huge gains in May. Sales for May 2021 were 66% higher than sales during the prior month, April 2021, and 180% higher than one year ago (May 2020). Contracts signed were up 30% for the month, and 903% from the prior year. As of this writing, contracts signed for properties $4 million and above have been on a streak of over 30 per week for the last 18 weeks!

New listings are also up 16% over last month, and up 421% from a year ago, while total inventory is up 4% for the month and 49% for the year. Pending sales are up 16.1% for the month and 167% for the year. The average asking price in the luxury market has been creeping up, and there has been a noticeable increase in asking price for co-ops (which were in a slump earlier in the year). Average number of days on the market is also ticking lower, down 8.9% from prior month, averaging 102. People are back!

Whether you’re moving to a new apartment, or staying where you are, a design refresh can make your home look and feel completely different. After more than a year staying primarily at home, many people are seeking ways to use their current space differently. Before deciding on a complete (and likely costly) renovation, consider a decorator and/or an organizer, who can breathe new life into your home.

 

Did I Really Have That Much Space?

 

One easy and wonderful way to transform any room in your home is by using the services of a professional organizer – “an editor.” Whether you want to re-arrange your closets to gain more space and find things more easily, re-do your kitchen to maximize space and functionality, or reorganize your office space to make it more efficient and work-friendly, an organizer can make many places in your home feel new again.

During the pandemic I got calls from people who wanted someone to pack up their home, ship it or move it elsewhere, unpack and reorganize. Barbra Goodman, founder of The Classic Closet, was my person. A wonderful, creative, professional organizer, she was and is the answer to many a customer’s needs. She handles all types of jobs: packing and moving things, donating items, physically redoing closets and much more.

Here are some great closet clean out tips from Barbra on the best way to reorganize a closet on your own:

1. First, take everything out of your closet and start fresh with a clean, open space.

2. Categorize. Put all your jeans together, all tee shirts together, workout clothes, etc.

3. Everything should have a place

4. Make time. If the laundry is done but you don’t have time to put it away immediately, wait a couple of days until you have a little time.

5. Have fun and enjoy!

Organizing your home will ultimately reduce your level of stress, and improve your home life. A professional editor can help you realize how much space you actually have, enabling you to maximize storage and make use of spaces you may not have realized could be functional. A successful reorganization can make your home feel new again, and bigger.

Visit www.theclassiccloset.nyc or email Barbra at the theclassaiccloset@gmail.com to get in touch.

 

A Few Changes Can Make a Big Impact

 

After so many months in quarantine, many clients have been telling me that they feel like their apartment décor is looking tired (or they are just tired of their apartment décor!). I have two decorators I particularly like: Bill Delsener and Lori Margolis.

Bill listens closely to your personal needs and can transform a room through decorative touches to fit your style. By replacing a few pieces of furniture, adding some interesting color with paint or texture with wallpaper, and other artful touches such as new artwork, fun pillows or interesting light fixtures, you can completely transform your space. These types of makeovers are less costly than a full renovation, but can have a huge visual and emotional impact. A big or little job, Bill has the vision to alter creatively your space.

Visit www.billdelsener.com or email Bill at delsenerdesigns@yahoo.com to get in touch.

 

A Full-On Facelift