Kari Whitman

Nicole Sassaman

Nicole Sassaman is a celebrity designer that has been featured on several TV shows, including “Designer’s Challenge”, “Smart Solutions”, and “Kitchen Trends” on HGTV. She has designed and sold over 70 condos in the Los Angeles area and revamped several Beverly Hills estates. Notable projects of hers include the Greta Garbo estate, which sold for $7.5 million. She also offers a “Design in the Box” service, which is an option for those who prefer a little DIY. The “Signature Collection” option of the service includes designs she has used in other homes. It costs $250 and offers a presentation board, furniture plan, fabric and paint samples, instructions, a shopping list, and one phone call with Sassaman herself. The more expensive “Custom Design” choice is more tailored directly to your space and the price varies based on the size of the room.

When people are looking at condos for sale, they really want to imagine how they will make it their own, even before any paperwork is done. Staging your condo is an extremely vital component of the sales process. You learn to stage your condo effectively and you'll definitely get an offer much quicker.

14 Tips to Make Your Condo Irresistible

1. Make space. 

It's important that you keep the furniture to a minimum. Either get it straight into storage or donate it (or even better, start a garage sale) and be sure to get rid of anything that would make it hard to navigate the condo. Be sure to clear your doorways and hallways especially. However, don't empty your condo out so much that it looks like it's being renovated. Find a perfect balance and get some opinions from your friends if you have to.

2. Clean your counters, floors, everywhere. 

Understand that you have to make your condo spotless. Go above and beyond, even if you've never done so while living there. Especially aim for bathroom and kitchen countertops. Clean your floors and make them spotless. If you are looking to sell a condo to families, you'll want to do the baby test: ask yourself, "If it were me and my baby(imaginary or not) would I put him/her down on the floor to play?" Doing this would give you a sense of how clean and spotless you want your floor to be. See if your walls need to be painted to cover up grimy handprints or stains. If you have carpet, you'll need to get it steamed and shampooed or do it yourself. Either that or replace it with wood or linoleum, which is much more manageable(which the prospective buyer will see). Get rid of any dust, trash or cobwebs anywhere, as buyers will be extremely meticulous about that. 

3. Throw out everything you don't need. 

Clean out your closet, your kitchen cabinets, storage in the garage. Remember that space sells. You'll want to give off the impression that you basically just moved in, since that's the feeling they'll feel once they purchase your condo. Your closet and bedroom should be clean and tidy, with no overflowing clothes in the closet or all over the floor. 

4. Get rid any odors. 

A condo should not smell old, stale, of pet or smokey. Keep that in mind. Go in and out of your home and check if you have any obviously noticeable scents. Either that or have your friend come in and smell your place. Not sure where it's coming from? Be sure to have your air vents cleaned and also to get carpets clean, anywhere where odors are easily trapped. If you're a huge smoker, chances are no one will want to purchase your condo, so get rid of that smell (and also that habit :). 

5. Keep your condo ageless and neutral. 

If your paint, appliances and carpet look like they're from the 50's, unless you're going for that look, you need to replace things and get everything up to date immediately. Especially little things like out of date magazines can be a red flag to buyers. Be sure to replace wallpaper if it's peeling(usually happens in bathrooms) and go with a neutral color, nothing too flashy. Get everything broken replaced, because remember, you do not want the buyer to think of everything he has to replace, because he'll start thinking about long term costs, and all you want the buyer to think about is one thing: moving day. 

6. Light is your best friend. 

Open up the blinds and turn on all of the lights. If you have specifically dark rooms, be sure to brighten them up with natural daylight lightbulbs. If it's a specifically bleak day, use flowers and other things that reinforce sunlight into their minds. You'll want to keep everything sharp, vibrant, and crisp. Light makes everything look nicer and happier. 

7. When in doubt, go white.

Regarding your wall choice. It's better to go neutral and white, since it lets the buyer decide right on the spot what he or she could possibly do with the place. If you start picking colors, some buyers may love it, some may not. Don't give them the chance to judge your decorating skills. White makes a condo look fresh and clean and provides a much easier sell. White also makes rooms look much larger than they are and helps soften the light, making the place look that much more attractive. 

8. Take out weird things. 

Deer heads are a no-no.

9. Use flowers. 

Flowers, plants, and other vegetation really add some color to your condo and it adds some liveliness that is legitimate. Pick flowers that are an accent to the room, but don't go overboard. One every 2-3 rooms would be enough, or you could do one in every room, with 1-2 of those serving as the accent, while the others just blend in the background. Even better? grow your own and use them, since it would seem much less staged. 

10. Keep your windows open.

Unless there's bad weather, it would be great to open your windows, as it breathes new life and helps circulate the air. If there is bad weather, if you have a fireplace, be sure to keep it burning so it can heat up the rest of the room. 

11. Set your condo apart. 

What makes it different? Any architectural differences that you might want to accent? Be sure to showcase that one difference, whether it be a fireplace or even just putting exotic flowers on your dining table. Make your condo stand out.

12. Take advice with a grain of salt. 

These aren't commandments. These are merely guidelines for what has worked in the past. Who knows, maybe a prospective buyer would love your 70's style bachelor pad? Everyone's taste is different, so you might actually get a buyer who loves your taste. 

13. Don't look so staged. 

The buyer, while they want to see how they want to put their own spin on it, are also interested in how you currently live in it. Keep it real and make things as natural as possible. 

14. Have your condo inspected. 

This will absolutely save you a ton of time and give you a legitimate checklist on what needs to get done. This list can do wonders for you, but there might be some glaring problems that this list hasn't addressed that might crop up. Get your condo inspected and it will save you time and even money.

Staging your condo might seem overwhelming and difficult at first, but think of it as a way to clear out your place and making it look presentable to prospective buyers. Follow this list and you'll be well on your way to selling your condo. 

The popularity of condominiums in the United States has taken a sharp turn for the better in the last ten years, as many homeowners and renters are seeking the luxury and the convenience of apartment living. While standard home prices rise and drop depending on inflation, condominiums continue to enjoy a surge as more and more consumers are looking to snatch up new digs in a luxury tower. In 2006, in anticipation of the grand opening of a new condo tower in Hawaii that was still more than three years away, The Trump Towers at Waikiki sold out all 400+ units in the course of a week. The condo-living trend was apparently on the upswing, with no slowing of the market going into this coming new year.

There are many factors that face home buyers and renters when choosing a condominium. Some choose popular condominium locations in areas that have high-traffic vacation numbers, meaning that consumers do not have to worry about hotel availability and rates during popular tourism seasons. Many of these often-urban locations offer prime access to trendy business, entertainment and shopping areas. Others look for the amenities, such as 24-hour security, conference space, clubhouses and fitness facilities. This list is compiled by affordability, location and environmental impact.

6. The Macallen Building -- Boston, Massachusetts

In the posh BackBay district, the Macallen Building condos in Boston offers tremendous potential for those seeking a fresh-look condominium tower in Boston. The 11-story LEED Gold certified tower offers 143 units, all built to enhance natural sunlight, which has shown to drastically reduce the electricity usage of the entire building. The owners also invested in state-of-the-art water and electric reduction efforts, including rainwater irrigation, which feeds the plush landscape of this popular tower with stunning views of the Boston skyline.

5. Fifth and Madison Condo Tower -- Seattle, Washington

95% of this popular condo in Seattle was constructed from recycled materials in 2007. Located in the posh financial district, the 24-story condo tower offers incredible amenities in an emerging Emerald City district. The building has recorded a 30% reduction in operation and maintenance.

The building is home to some of Seattle's top business and financial professionals, as the technology boom of the 2000's brought in some of the finest and most creative minds to the rainy city.

4. The Casey -- Portland, Oregon

Super-green and growing career opportunities have spurred condo purchases in Portland, Oregon, resulting in some of the finest high-rise condominium establishments in the United States. The Casey, located just outside the western downtown area, offers residents one of the finest luxury buildings on the market, with a distinct “green” edge to go along with it. Featuring a state-of-the-art eco-roof for storm water management, the building is an average of 50% more energy efficient than other buildings. Attached solar panels are being used for common-area electricity, with installed low-flow plumbing and appliances, recycled, locally sourced materials, and sustainable flooring.

3. One Carnegie Hill -- New York City

Located on the Upper Eastside at 215 East 96^th Street, the 42-story condo building in New York City near Central Park and the East River features 200 units with a combination of studio, one- and two-bedroom condos. One of the more inexpensive in the area, the two-bedroom units at this trendy condo tower currently start at $2 million.

The trendy Manhattan neighborhood is attractive to many business executives and big-city socialites due to the access to theater, entertainment and dining. The building also features an exclusive 18,000-square-foot clubhouse featuring a 50-foot sky-lit pool, top-of-the-line fitness facility, yoga, Pilates and aerobic studios, outdoor dining with barbecues, children’s play area, pet spa, business center, and a rooftop entertainment lounge featuring a landscaped sundeck.

2. The Plaza at Turtle Creek -- Dallas,Texas

Considered inside the downtown area in Dallas, Texas, the 18-story condo building offers 108 units, 24-hour concierge service, in-room massages , child and pet care facilities, pool, along with two separate state-of-the-art fitness facilities. The condominium tower also offers a two-acre natural preservation site and a conservatory.

The building is owned by Maritz, Wolff and Company, who also own the Mansion Hotel, located directly next door to Plaza One and Two. City data shows that the demand remains extremely high for the two condo buildings, offering what the listing describes as the best in “care-free Dallas high rise living,”with services ranging from grocery shopping assistance to errand running.

1. Fisher Island -- Miami, Florida

Accessible only by ferry, yacht, plane or helicopter, this condominium complex in Miami is the epitome of high-end living in South Beach. Located on 216 acres of man-made Fisher Island, the plush hotel and resort space offers residents and tourists all of the five-star service one would expect in the lavish Miami-area lifestyle, where residents have the highest per capita income in the United States. Condominium prices here average anywhere from $1.5 million to $10 million, depending on your need for fine-living at it's best.

The condo resort offers tourists and residents eight restaurants, 24-hour security, nine-hole golf course, tennis center and, of course, lots and lots of shopping options.

Luxury has its Price

Ground-breaking has begun on a record number of luxury condo complexes in the United States, as people are looking for ways to shirk the expense of maintenance of the standard home and opt for a more secure and stress-free environment of condo living.

As expected, price has a lot to do with whether a building will be able draw suitors. Location is another heavy factor, as most condos in the U.S. reside in upscale, heavily populated metropolitan areas.