Here is the second installment in our series of tips on how to add value to your townhouse investment. This week’s tip: 

An Excerpt from : Mondays with Dexter

Price Reduced! 141 West 81st Street

Stoop Appeal  Buying a Manhattan townhouse bears some similarity to falling in love, and the stoop is your townhouse’s first impression. It is the first thing a buyer sees, the first thing she touches, and can create a powerful emotional response. After all, the stoop is the most instantly recognizable feature of the New York City townhouse. It’s a symbol of a century-old tradition of elegance and romance that buyers want to be a part of. Once, a pair of Vandenberg buyers proposed to each other on the stoop of one of our listings and then married each other at the building!  Although some quality townhouse renovations manage without stoops, chopping off your stoop is taking a big risk. You may be unnecessarily narrowing your pool of buyers. Just as single-family buyers often require a garden, some won’t look at a house that lacks a stoop.  On the other hand, if your townhouse is already flat-fronted you should consider replacing the missing stoop. Doing so can add significant value to your home – it can turn lukewarm buyers into enthusiastic bidders. When you’re ready to sell, a stoop renovation and a few pots of flowers can reel in a surprising number of buyers.  Next time: Turning Your Cellar into a Seller