Maison Hudson in the West Village was built with high-end furnished apartments to rent and own (Douglas Elliman)
During the height of the pandemic, supply chain disruptions caused significant delays, leaving consumers waiting months for household items that were previously available within days. Although supply chain issues have largely been resolved, the demand for turnkey and fully furnished properties continues to grow, paralleling the rising popularity of hotel-condo units. This article discusses the optimal timing, reasons, and strategies for negotiating a fully furnished apartment.
In this article:
When to negotiate a fully furnished apartment
Supply chain problems are only one circumstance under which it may make sense to buy a fully furnished apartment. If you've just been offered a job or need to relocate under a tight timeframe for any other reason, a fully furnished apartment can greatly reduce the complexity of an otherwise stressful move. If you're moving to the United States from another country, a fully furnished property may be especially welcome.Why to negotiate a fully furnished apartment
Much like a car that loses an estimated 15 to 20 percent of its value the moment you purchase it and drive it off the lot, many household items lose value as soon as they are purchased and put to use. While there are certainly exceptions to the rule (e.g., a coveted piece of designer furniture), most household items, including nearly all appliances and most furniture, have a limited shelf life. As a result, purchasing these items used can result in significant savings.There are also other reasons to purchase a fully equipped, furnished, and even decorated apartment. If you've ever wasted countless hours wondering whether to install Roman blinds or shutters, or to opt for walnut or birch bookcases, you'll appreciate that furnishing a new home can take much more time than expected. If you think your time may be better spent doing what you do best and not pretending to be an interior designer, a fully furnished property is likely a great investment.
In New York City, there are also two other reasons to consider buying a fully furnished property. First, many New York City apartments feature space-saving built-ins. Having built-ins taken out and redesigned is an extremely costly endeavor, not to mention one that contributes to landfill waste since most built-ins can't be easily reused in other apartments. Second, simply having furniture delivered to many New York City buildings can be challenging as nearly all buildings require an insurance certificate for each delivery and only permit deliveries at certain times (e.g., on weekdays during regular business hours).
How to negotiate a fully furnished apartment
There are several reasons to purchase a fully furnished apartment, but before doing so, it is important to understand how to do so without overpaying.Obtain an inventory list
The first step is to obtain a detailed inventory of everything that will come with the property. Among other things, you'll want to clarify if the sellers are including all the artwork in the deal or just some pieces. The same rule of thumb holds for furnishings. You'll also want to obtain a detailed list of all the home's additional contents. Since the sellers may hold receipts for some of these items, it doesn't hurt to ask if they are willing to share these receipts. Finally, it is wise to obtain a list of any designers who may have left their mark on the property over time.
Consult an appraiser
Once you have a list, contract with one or more appraisers to determine the potential value of the unit's contents. Since some items and features may require a specialist (e.g., an art appraiser), you may need to contract with more than one appraiser.
Once you have appraised the home's contents, compare the cost of buying the home with and without the contents. While some furnished properties do sell for one price, in most cases, buyers are advised to purchase the property and contents in two separate deals. This is especially advisable when seeking financing since many lenders will only be willing to finance the property itself but not its contents.
Account for convenience
Even if you can't negotiate the seller down to a desired price, buying a fully furnished apartment may still be a great investment. When one factors in the time it takes to purchase new furnishings and the potential frustrations that can arise from supply chain and delivery delays, there is no question that when it comes to convenience, you can't go wrong with a fully furnished property.
Once you have a list, contract with one or more appraisers to determine the potential value of the unit's contents. Since some items and features may require a specialist (e.g., an art appraiser), you may need to contract with more than one appraiser.
Once you have appraised the home's contents, compare the cost of buying the home with and without the contents. While some furnished properties do sell for one price, in most cases, buyers are advised to purchase the property and contents in two separate deals. This is especially advisable when seeking financing since many lenders will only be willing to finance the property itself but not its contents.
Account for convenience
Even if you can't negotiate the seller down to a desired price, buying a fully furnished apartment may still be a great investment. When one factors in the time it takes to purchase new furnishings and the potential frustrations that can arise from supply chain and delivery delays, there is no question that when it comes to convenience, you can't go wrong with a fully furnished property.
Active sale listings available fully furnished
Maison Hudson, #4B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
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Greenwich Club, #412 (Compass)
One Central Park West, #412 (Trump International Realty New York)
Liberty Court, #12J (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Coda Condominium, #8D (Leven Real Estate)
W Residences, #27D (Keller Williams NYC)
The Excelsior, #35B (Sothebys International Realty)
Sutton 57, #5C (Corcoran Group)
Skyline Tower, #PH202
$2,300,000 (-16.9%)
Long Island City | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 986 ft2
Skyline Tower, #PH202 (Compass)
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, New York, NoMad, #PH40B
$2,995,000 (-13.2%)
Chelsea | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths | 911 ft2
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, New York, NoMad, #PH40B (Keller Williams NYC)
130 William, #21B (R New York)
Mandarin Oriental Residences Fifth Avenue, #6F
$3,200,000
Midtown East | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 941 ft2
Mandarin Oriental Residences Fifth Avenue, #6F (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Olympic Tower, #32D (Corcoran Group)
1600 Broadway, #PH4C
$4,500,000 (-25%)
Midtown West | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,629 ft2
1600 Broadway, #PH4C (Keller Williams NYC)
The Soho Gallery Building, #4W (Compass)
One57, #32F (A & I Broadway Realty Inc)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Contributing Writer
Cait Etherington
Cait Etherington has over twenty years of experience working as a journalist and communications consultant. Her articles and reviews have been published in newspapers and magazines across the United States and internationally. An experienced financial writer, Cait is committed to exposing the human side of stories about contemporary business, banking and workplace relations. She also enjoys writing about trends, lifestyles and real estate in New York City where she lives with her family in a cozy apartment on the twentieth floor of a Manhattan high rise.
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