How to prepare for an open house + Must-see listings include a include an Upper West Side classic six with river views

By Cait Etherington | From Get To Know Friday, September 5, 2025

508 Madison Street, #TH (Corcoran)

In-person open houses are back and here to stay. Unsurprisingly, the most serious buyers and agents always prefer to visit a property in person. This article breaks down how buyers and sellers can prepare for an open house and why preparation matters.

How to Prepare for an Open House as a Buyer

To start, it is important for buyers to understand that an open house isn’t a home inspection. The inspection comes later, usually only after you’ve put in an offer, and will likely be carried out by a certified inspector and not yourself. But if an open house isn’t time to start looking for mold under the bathroom sink, what should you be doing at an open house?

First and foremost, the open house is a chance to see a property in person and think about whether or not it might work for you and your family. Given that other potential buyers will likely be present, this may not be an ideal time to pull out your measuring tape to determine if your favorite sofa will fit in the living room. That said, you can use the open house to get a general feel for the property, the building, and the neighborhood. It is also your first chance to take note of other important factors:

Size: Does the apartment feel big enough to accommodate you, your family, your belongings, and lifestyle?
Storage: Is there adequate closet space and/or in-building storage?
Condition: Is the apartment in good condition? Will you need to repair or replace the floors or do a gut renovation to the kitchen or bathroom?
Appliances: Are the appliances in good condition, or will they likely need to be replaced before or soon after moving in?
Views and light: Can you live with the views and amount of light?
Access: Is it a walkup or elevator building? If it's the latter, is the elevator in working condition and being inspected on a regular basis?
Building condition and amenities: Is the building in good repair? Are there amenities (e.g., a shared laundry room, gym, or bike or storage room)? If so, are these amenities being kept in clean and working condition?

Beyond offering an opportunity for you to check out the property, open houses are also a chance for sellers —or more likely, their agents — to check you out. You don’t need to show up in your best outfit, but particularly in New York City where co-op and condo boards are often scrupulous in their vetting of potential buyers, it is a good idea to show up looking like a serious potential buyer. In fact, especially in a seller’s market, the buyer’s agent may be vetting potential buyers over the course of the open house and thinking about which buyers are most likely to get through the board screening process. In the end, if a seller has three potential offers in a similar price range, the agent may advise that they go with an offer put in by the buyer most likely to meet the board’s immediate approval.

How to Prepare for an Open House as a Seller

If you’re selling a home, open-house preparation is one of the most important parts of the process. While every listing agent has his or her own to-do list, a few items are on nearly everyone’s list:

Declutter: The cleaner the canvas, the better the open house will be. If necessary, put most of your belongings in storage. This can be difficult if you have small children, or if you’re an avid collector, but at an open house, no one wants to trip over a child’s Lego set or be distracted by a vast collection of esoteric objects.
Depersonalize: On a related note, buyers want to see themselves in the home; if the first thing they see when they walk in is a wall of family photographs, they may struggle to imagine themselves in the space. For this reason, as a rule of thumb, take yourself and your cute kids and grandkids out of the picture. Given that people may be photographing the space, this is also a good security measure.
Repair: If you’ve been neglecting the small crack in your porcelain sink, your loose doorknob, sticky closet door, or chipping paint, now is the time to hire a repair person to come in and attend to these obvious repairs.
Deep clean: No matter how good you are at cleaning, pre-open house cleaning is not a do-it-yourself project. Hire a professional cleaner with experience doing pre-open house or move-out cleans to do a top-to-bottom clean, making sure they cover everything from the dust on the top of your refrigerator to the crumbs under the couch.
Board the pets: You may love your dog, cat, rat, or parrot, but potential buyers may not share your love of animals (at least not your love of your animal). If possible, find a temporary home for your pet.
Get out of town: Most potential buyers prefer to attend open houses when the owners aren’t present; trust your agent to represent you and your home.

When to Skip the Open House as a Buyer or Seller

In most cases, it is highly unadvisable to skip the open house, especially as a buyer. In a seller’s market, however, agents may sometimes advise putting in an offer without viewing a property in person to ensure another buyer doesn’t put in an offer first.

On the seller side, an open house can be a blessing or a curse. If you have a property that is likely to show well and can be easily staged without a huge investment, the open house is nearly always a good idea as it is likely to generate more interest and potentially lead to multiple offers. If, by contrast, the property is in ill repair, cluttered, and can’t easily be staged for an open house, listing agents will often advise that the seller skip the open house and promote the listing using other means.

The Penny Lane, #222
$525,000

Gramercy Park | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

The Penny Lane, #222 (Yoreevo LLC)

From the Listing: Apartment 222 at 215 East 24th Street is a stunning lofted 1 bedroom in an excellent building and cant beat location. Known for its charming Tudor style and vaulted loft apartments, number 222 at Penny Lane is no exception with 12.5 ceilings and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the Juliet balcony. See floor plan and full details here.

177 Thompson Street, #3
$625,000

Greenwich Village | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

177 Thompson Street, #3 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: One of a kind stylish one bedroom , one bath fully updated and architecturally styled, in the heart of Greenwich Village. Just one flight up in a six story pre war cc-op built in about 1903. The charming living room has gorgeous hardwood floors, high ceilings, exposed brick and wood beams.The living room and bedroom face east and get great light. The newly renovated kitchen has Carrara marble countertops and a Meile cooktop, Frigidaire refrigerator and GE dishwasher. See floor plan and full details here.

The Falkland, #4D
$625,000

Washington Heights | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath | 1,200 ft²

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

The Falkland, #4D (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Overlooking tree-filled Lafayette Plaza and the Hudson River, this pre-war north and south facing two-bedroom co-op apartment has lots of light. The open plan, renovated windowed kitchen has a breakfast bar, dishwasher, gas range Miele full-size washer and dryer, dishwasher, gas range and plenty of cabinet space. Flowing directly into the large great room you will find a spacious living, and dining room with exposed brick walls, refinished herringbone hardwood floors, nine-foot ceilings, recessed lighting, and a long foyer to hang your favorite art pieces. See floor plan and full details here.

333 East 14th Street, #9G
$650,000

Gramercy Park | Cooperative | Studio, 1 Bath

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

333 East 14th Street, #9G (Christies International Real Estate Group LLC)

From the Listing: Welcome to Residence 9G, one of the largest alcove studios in the building, newly renovated and sun-drenched throughout the day. The south-facing home features oversized windows with beautiful open city views. The open layout includes a renovated kitchen with quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, a chevron tile backsplash, and an extended design that adds bar stool seating. See floor plan and full details here.

Would you like to tour any of these properties?

Just complete the info below.

235 East 57th Street, #5D
$685,000

Midtown East | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

235 East 57th Street, #5D (Compass)

From the Listing: This oversized, impeccably renovated one-bedroom home sets a new standard for elevated city living. Every inch of this apartment has been thoughtfully reimagined by a professional interior designer, blending functionality and storage space with a contemporary, streamlined aesthetic. See floor plan and full details here.

Southbridge Towers, #21H
$725,000

Financial District | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

Southbridge Towers, #21H (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

From the Listing: Step into this serene, oversized one-bedroom home and you're immediately welcomed by a wall of windows showcasing sweeping views of Manhattan. A private 76-square-foot balcony extends the living space outdoors, offering the perfect spot for a morning coffee or evening cocktail. The expansive living/dining room easily accommodates a full living area with plenty of space left over for a separate dining setup. See floor plan and full details here.

The Jefferson, #4N
$849,000

Greenwich Village | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

The Jefferson, #4N (Compass)

From the Listing: Move right in to this gut renovated apartment created by a top Architect/Designer in 2022. This XXX mint loft-like home has it all. The custom millwork kitchen, designed for a chef, includes Blomberg stainless steel appliances; built in refrigerator with ice, gas cooktop w/ integrated oven, dishwasher, quartz countertops, porcelain floor tiles and integrated lighting. See floor plan and full details here.

136 East 36th Street, #4A
$929,000

Murray Hill | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

136 East 36th Street, #4A (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

From the Listing: NEW! SUNSHINE 2 Bedroom! Showings start after Labor day - Sept 7th ! Outrageous value! Move in condition 2BR with common Roof deck and 24 HR doorman in Prime Murray Hill location! This incredible apartment has windows everywhere with lovely tree lined street views too! R See floor plan and full details here.

599 West End Avenue, #3A
$950,000

Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

599 West End Avenue, #3A (Compass)

From the Listing: This quiet and sunny corner two-bedroom pre-war home offers East and North exposures, soaring 10’ ceilings with exposed beams, and a host of thoughtful, custom architectural upgrades throughout. Fully gut-renovated in 2018, the apartment features gleaming hardwood floors, hand-crafted wood radiator covers, and a beautifully designed walnut veneer and steel loft bed in the guest room — with space underneath for a second bed, creating a bunk-style setup or a dedicated workspace. See floor plan and full details here.

Park South Lofts, #11C
$1,195,000

Murray Hill | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 919 ft²

Open House: Saturday and Sunday, September 6-7, 2025

Park South Lofts, #11C (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Welcome to Residence 11C at Park South Lofts - a sun-drenched corner home that seamlessly combines loft-inspired character with modern sophistication. This 919-square-foot residence features one expansive bedroom, a beautifully finished bathroom with Carrera marble flooring and a convenient in-unit washer/dryer. Just off the living room, you'll find a versatile bonus room - ideal for a nursery or home office, along with a spacious balcony perfect for intimate gatherings or quiet relaxation. This home has it all! See floor plan and full details here.

The Aurora, #9C
$1,250,000

Williamsburg | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths | 802 ft²

Open House: Saturday and Sunday, September 6-7, 2025

The Aurora, #9C (Elegran LLC)

From the Listing: At 30 Bayard Street, right on McCarren Park, Apartment 9C delivers every wish-list item and more. Step directly from your keyed elevator into a sun drenched home with dramatic south facing windows and sweeping views. It’s a private sanctuary in the sky, inspiring yet grounding, and always a reminder of why you worked so hard to be here. See floor plan and full details here.

Dag Hammarskjold Tower, #9B
$1,375,000

Turtle Bay/United Nations | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,183 ft²

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

Dag Hammarskjold Tower, #9B (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Located in a sought-after Midtown East location, this renovated 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condominium offers a rare combination of indoor comfort and private outdoor space. A spacious terrace provides a seamless extension of the living area, allow for relaxing or entertaining. See floor plan and full details here.

310 West 86th Street, #11B
$1,395,000

Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath

310 West 86th Street, #11B (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

From the Listing: Spacious Four-and-a-Half Room Prewar Home in a Prime Upper West Side Location. Perched on the 11th floor of a distinguished 1920s full-service cooperative, Residence 11B offers a grand-scale four-and-a-half-room home, well suited for gracious living and entertaining. Boasting 10-foot-high ceilings, oversized windows, abundant closet space, and tremendous light-including a southern view stretching all the way to Hudson Yards (and north to double-wide 86th Street)-this residence is rich in original architectural details. See floor plan and full details here.

One Manhattan Square, #64G
$1,495,000

Lower East Side | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 688 ft²

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

One Manhattan Square, #64G (Compass)

From the Listing: Residence 64G is a 688 SF one-bedroom, one-bathroom home with dramatic northeast exposures showcasing the Empire State Building, Midtown skyline, and East River. Thoughtfully designed by Meyer Davis Studio, this residence blends modern sophistication with warm, custom finishes. See floor plan and full details here.

272 21st Street, #1
$1,575,000

South Slope - Greenwood Heights | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 2 Baths | 1,700 ft²

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

272 21st Street, #1 (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: This 1,700-square-foot duplex offers a rare townhouse alternative, quietly set on one of Greenwood's most beautiful blocks. Spanning two levels with a south-facing garden, the residence is part of a Platinum LEED-certified boutique condominium designed with reclaimed barnwood floors, solar panels, and a water reclamation system-an elegant union of modern comfort and thoughtful sustainability. See floor plan and full details here.

354 Dean Street, #2
$1,700,000

Boerum Hill | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 977 ft²

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

354 Dean Street, #2 (Compass)

From the Listing: This is Brooklyn living at its finest - luxurious, private, and ideally positioned. Welcome to this meticulously newly constructed two-bedroom, two-bathroom floor through apartment, a rare and refined offering nestled on a serene, tree-lined block in coveted Boerum Hill, close to all! Combining townhouse charm with modern luxury, this elegant home boasts a flexible living space, high-end designer finishes throughout, and a private balcony. See floor plan and full details here.

347 West 22nd Street, #9
$2,150,000

Chelsea | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,300 ft²

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

347 West 22nd Street, #9 (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

From the Listing: Charm doesn't even begin to describe this sun-drenched duplex with large balcony and ROOF RIGHTS on one of Chelsea's most picturesque blocks. Thoughtfully restored and elevated with authentic vintage details and designer upgrades, this bright and airy residence spans two floors. Enter the main level and you're greeted by 9-foot ceilings, wide-plank diagonal maple floors, and steady northern light pouring in through French doors that open to a large, treetop balcony - perfect for morning coffee or golden hour wine. See floor plan and full details here.

755 West End Avenue, #15C
$2,250,000

Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

755 West End Avenue, #15C (Keller Williams NYC)

From the Listing: West End Wonder – Beautiful Classic Six! Perched on a high floor, this mint-condition Classic Six seamlessly blends timeless elegance with modern luxury—all with breathtaking views of the Hudson River. See floor plan and full details here.

83 Walker Street, #5
$2,450,000

Tribeca | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,397 ft²

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

83 Walker Street, #5 (Compass)

From the Listing: Experience turnkey living in your 1,400-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom floor-through loft in Tribeca. The key-locked elevator opens to an open floor plan featuring high-character, architecturally interesting elements including high ceilings, wide-plank oak floors, exposed brick walls, and a wall of double-glazed mahogany framed arched windows. See floor plan and full details here.

1150 Fifth Avenue, #6C
$2,950,000

Carnegie Hill | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 1,750 ft²

Open House: Wednesday, September 10, 2025

1150 Fifth Avenue, #6C (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Welcome to an exquisite residence at 1150 5th Avenue, Apartment 6C, New York, NY. This distinguished Classic 6 apartment offers an unparalleled blend of timeless elegance and modern convenience, perfectly situated in one of Manhattan's most coveted locations. Spanning approximately 1,750 square feet, this meticulously renovated home features three spacious bedrooms and three luxurious bathrooms. See floor plan and full details here.

The Fitzroy Townhouse Complex, #C
$3,495,000

Chelsea | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 2,000 ft²

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

The Fitzroy Townhouse Complex, #C (Compass)

From the Listing: Every once in a while a property becomes available that "plays all of the hits:" wood-burning fireplaces, outdoor space, soaring ceilings, a perfect layout, old-world charm, a beautiful renovation, and wonderful location. This is one of those properties. See floor plan and full details here.

14 Wooster Street, #2
$5,995,000

SoHo | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 3,800 ft²

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

14 Wooster Street, #2 (Compass)

From the Listing: This brilliantly reimagined loft at 14 Wooster Street pairs modern sophistication with the historic charm of SoHo’s famed Cast-Iron District. Spanning approximately 3,800 square feet, the second-floor residence boasts three bedrooms, three full baths, and a breathtaking 40 feet of windows framing the cobblestoned beauty of Wooster Street. See floor plan and full details here.

200 Amsterdam, #17A
$7,650,000

Lincoln Center | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 2,856 ft²

Open House: Sunday, September 7, 2025

200 Amsterdam, #17A (Compass)

From the Listing: Introducing Residence 17A, a stunning four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom home spanning 2,856 square feet at the heart of the Upper West Side. Perched high in the iconic 200 Amsterdam, an amenity-laden luxury condominium, this sun-drenched corner residence captures sweeping south, east, and west exposures through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, immersing every room in natural light. See floor plan and full details here.

Would you like to tour any of these properties?

Tags:

From Goldilocks Blocks From $530K: Great listings on NYC's charming cobblestone streets Tuesday, December 2, 2025
From Great Listings Classic 5, 6, and 7 layouts with copious breathing space and endless storage Tuesday, November 25, 2025
From Future New York Paragon tops out as City Council approves OneLIC + 10 new condos coming to Long Island City Friday, November 21, 2025
From Great Listings Quiet Luxuries: Understated details that define great NYC penthouses Monday, November 17, 2025
From Great Listings Common Charges 101 + New development condos with common charge incentives Thursday, November 13, 2025
From Future New York NYC’s top-selling buildings: Downtown deals drive Q3 2025 as outer boroughs gain ground Wednesday, October 29, 2025
From Astoria NYC 'heat season': Know your rights + Prewar listings with central heating and air conditioning Tuesday, October 21, 2025
From Future New York Open House New York weekend has arrived; See residential sites and listings to visit Friday, October 17, 2025

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.

Read Full Bio | Contact Cait Etherington

This is your member's center

In this article:

How to Prepare for an Open House as a Buyer

How to Prepare for an Open House as a Seller

When to Skip the Open House as a Buyer or Seller

The Penny Lane, #222
$525,000

177 Thompson Street, #3
$625,000

The Falkland, #4D
$625,000

333 East 14th Street, #9G
$650,000

Select which properties are of interest to you:

235 East 57th Street, #5D
$685,000

Southbridge Towers, #21H
$725,000

The Jefferson, #4N
$849,000

136 East 36th Street, #4A
$929,000

599 West End Avenue, #3A
$950,000

Park South Lofts, #11C
$1,195,000

The Aurora, #9C
$1,250,000

Dag Hammarskjold Tower, #9B
$1,375,000

310 West 86th Street, #11B
$1,395,000

One Manhattan Square, #64G
$1,495,000

272 21st Street, #1
$1,575,000

354 Dean Street, #2
$1,700,000

347 West 22nd Street, #9
$2,150,000

755 West End Avenue, #15C
$2,250,000

83 Walker Street, #5
$2,450,000

1150 Fifth Avenue, #6C
$2,950,000

The Fitzroy Townhouse Complex, #C
$3,495,000

14 Wooster Street, #2
$5,995,000

200 Amsterdam, #17A
$7,650,000

This is your member's center

In this article:

How to Prepare for an Open House as a Buyer

How to Prepare for an Open House as a Seller

When to Skip the Open House as a Buyer or Seller

Select which properties are of interest to you:

Select which properties are of interest to you:

Listings in this article

Tags:

Related Articles

Buy & Sell

Rent

Buildings

Insights

Company