Staged To Sell – RESA Feature Friday

RESA® member Melanie Joas is the genius behind Staged to Sell, a full-service design agency helping people across the Twin Cities, transform their homes with home staging, interior design services, and home improvements and renovations. Upon entering the real estate industry as Realtor®, she fell in love with the listings and realized the reason she loved real estate was more about color, design and staging.

I have had an eye for design from a young age and I have been helping people for years with decorating/design. I wanted to become a stager before I became a Realtor®.

Melanie loves being immersed daily in the latest trends of the real estate industry. She holds 15 years of staging and design experience, two certifications from RESA® Accredited Education Provider, Staging Studio, and is currently in the process of expanding her education through a course with RESA® Accredited Education Provider, Home Staging Resource.Melanie incorporates the desires of buyers and sellers into her designs. Real estate and design bring her so much excitement, she convinced her husband Dave to become an agent and join the team! With 15 years in general contracting, remodeling, and project management for home improvements, Dave leads the home renovation and improvement projects for Staged to Sell.

I love staging and helping people net the most money possible. Staging sells, cheesy I know, but it’s true!

Learn more about Melanie Joas, founder of Staged To Sell:

We asked Melanie some questions to help us get to know her and Staged To Sell a little better.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your staging?

I follow trends online. Pinterest gives me inspiration. Following builders, other designers, and who doesn’t love HGTV?

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST STRUGGLE WHEN IT COMES TO WORKING WITH CLIENTS?

So far my experiences have all been great, but I do wonder sometimes if people truly understand what staging all entails. It’s a lot of work but so rewarding.

What do you enjoy to do outside of work?

Spending time with my family, I love to read, hike, I love group fitness (I used to teach at Lifetime Fitness). I love going out with friends and trying out different restaurants.

how haVE skillsets from your previous career been beneficial to you as a home stager?

Before being a real estate agent and home stager, I was a hair stylist. I rented a salon space and then went on to have my own my own salon space. I was also a recruiter for a salon, brand ambassador and social media manager. Being a hairstylist you are well certified in color, work with the public and manage you own business so all of my skills transferred very easily.

What is the next step in your staging career?

GROWTH! I am excited to continue to grow.

When you are in a rut creatively where do you go or what do you do to get out of it?

I take a day off to reset then get back to the grind! Seeing what others are doing is also very motivating and inspiring.

What part of owning your own business is the least enjoyable for you and why?

Risk and taking it on. Risk can be scary. For example, as you grow you need more inventory and space and there is risk in that. That can be a little nerve-racking.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR MOST REWARDING STAGING JOB:

I helped stage a home in North Minneapolis that was a higher end home for that area, so we knew that is could be a challenge to sell. That particular home had three times the amount of views on Zillow than any other home our team has listed. It actually brought me to tears to hear that. It was very rewarding! The house sold for a premium amount and it sold fast!

When you are in a rut creatively where do you go or what do you do to get out of it?

Surround myself around like minded people who are supportive and my local RESA® sisters. I also love nature/getting outdoors, it fuels my soul. After a little R&R, I am usually re-inspired.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

Everything on my to do list!

If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?

My computer, my devotion book, cute bag (everyone needs a cute bag), definitely lip gloss (that is a MUST), & my wedding ring.

What project are you really excited about right now and why?

I am helping someone with e-design/interior design right now. She loves mid-century modern and boho which is so my jam!