Does home staging still work?
#86
WELCOME
A little appreciation goes a long way—just ask your mother.
With Mother’s Day around the corner, here’s to the women who raised us, inspired us, and reminded us to always take off our shoes at the door. However you're spending the weekend—at brunch, at showings, or somewhere in between—we're sending warm wishes to all the moms, grandmothers, and mother figures out there.
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Estate Media. 💐
Real estate investor and business strategist Sharran Srivatsaa—also called “the Navy SEAL of coaches” advises some of the most successful entrepreneurs and real estate agents in the country. One of the most pivotal communication hacks he’s known for is the ‘Show, Flow, Demo’ method of breaking complex topics down into surprisingly simple explanations. Catch the latest episode of Glennda’s Guru to learn the method, hear Sharran’s take on building goodwill with free value, and find out the most valuable lesson dumpster diving taught him.
TRACK THE MARKET: Staged Homes Still Sell Faster
According to NAR’s 2025 Profile of Home Staging, strategic staging continues to improve both selling price and time on market. From boosting buyers’ perceived value of the home to increasing bidding competition, staging still drives more online clicks and IRL foot traffic.
Key stats from the report:
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29% of listing agents said staging resulted in offers 1–10% above asking price.
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Nearly half (49%) observed that staging helped reduce time on market—30% saw slight reductions, and 19% saw significant decreases.
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83% of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for clients to envision a home as their own.
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The most frequently staged rooms were living rooms (91%), primary bedrooms (83%), and dining rooms (69%).
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Staging costs averaged $1,500 with a professional service, or $500 when done by the agent.
Photos were considered essential by both buyers’ and sellers’ agents, but traditional staging and video tours also ranked highly. And while TV shows may be setting unrealistic expectations—58% of agents said buyers were disappointed when real homes didn’t match what they saw on screen—staging helps bridge that gap.
DIVE IN
The Friday Five
📖 Mobile-minded. Why flipping mobile homes might just be the next big money maker.
👀 Statement living. This 13,000-square-foot rooftop home is one of Dawn McKenna’s favorite listings.
👀 Bezos breaks a record. See inside the priciest property ever sold in Washington state.
💡 The psychology of success. Say this, not that, to position your listing as a luxury property.
💡 The gift that keeps giving. New York homeowners are gifting their homes to get around high prices.
NEXT WEEK IN ESTATE ELITE
Spring selling season is all about momentum—and next week’s Estate Elite lineup of coach-led Q&A sessions is stacked with sessions to help you grow, win, and strategically sell more listings in today’s complicated market.
Join us for:
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Business Growth & Strategy: From Agent to CEO with Glennda Baker — May 14 at 3PM ET
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Pricing Strategies That Get Sellers to Say Yes with Tracy Tutor — May 15 at 3PM ET
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The Future of Real Estate with James Harris — May 16 at 3PM ET
And remember, every Real Estate Roundup reader gets 14 days of unlimited access to Estate Elite! That’s two weeks to tune into the best Q&A sessions in the industry, all for free. Tap here to claim your pass and start watching now.
Tap here to claim your pass and start watching now.
WHAT’S NEW FROM ESTATE MEDIA
There’s nothing wrong with the classic charcuterie board and bottle of wine. But when one Reddit user asked what closing gifts actually wow clients (and keep you top-of-mind), agents had a lot to say. And we’ve rounded up the best of the best, here.
Scroll for a quick list of the most memorable, thoughtful, and creative closing gifts—from practical essentials to personalized keepsakes—that serve as an unforgettable touchpoint, even if you’re on a budget.
FEATURED LUXURY LISTING
TIPS & TAKEAWAYS
Synergistic Scaling
Ever wonder how industry leaders like Dawn McKenna grew their team from just a handful of agents to a powerhouse, multi-market group? At the most basic level, it’s all about synergy. As Dawn describes it, her teams run like synchronized crew boats: every member pulls in unison, multiplying each other’s momentum. The result? More meaningful client relationships, more impact, and yes—more sales.
Catch the full story here.
@estatemediaus Replying to @Estate Media Ever wondered how a powerhouse team is built? 💼✨ Dawn McKenna shares the story behind the rise of the Dawn McKen… See more
HANGS & HAPPENINGS
Apartmentalize | Las Vegas, NV | June 11 – 13. Discover the latest trends, technologies, and management strategies shaping the future of multifamily housing. Hosted by the National Apartment Association, this is the place for anyone in the rental housing industry.
Inman Connect | San Diego, CA | July 30 – August 1. Sharpen your real estate game with immersive discussions, interactive workshops, top-tier networking, and more, alongside some of the biggest players in real estate, proptech, and lending.
RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference | Washington, DC | August 3 – 5. Connect with RE/MAX leaders and fellow broker-owners for three days of strategy sessions, networking, and fresh ideas to drive brokerage growth and your team’s success.
Tom Ferry Success Summit | Dallas, TX | August 26 – 28. Join thousands of top-producing agents for Tom Ferry’s signature event, packed with actionable strategies, mindset shifts, and high-energy coaching.
Before we go…
ESTATE RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
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