By: KeyCrew Media
Most real estate professionals understand that staging helps homes sell. What they may not realize is that 83% of buyers cannot visualize how to use empty spaces.
Fiorenza Bilak, founder of Stage The Space in Las Vegas, built her staging business around this statistic from the Real Estate Staging Association. Her approach treats staging as a solution to a measurable market problem.
Seven years ago, Bilak’s career began with a single struggling listing. Her husband couldn’t sell a flip that had sat on the market. Bilak staged it with furniture she’d collected. Three over-asking offers came in the same day.
“That first experiment was so striking that my husband and countless clients never listed a home without staging again,” Bilak recalls.
Stage The Space now serves agents, investors, and builders across the Las Vegas valley.
The 83% Problem
For agents working to maximize sale prices and minimize days on market, that 83% visualization gap represents significant risk.
“When 83% of your potential buyers are walking into a property, that’s an enormous number to gamble with,” Bilak explains. “The mission is to provide answers to potential buyers rather than raise questions.”
Empty homes force buyers to guess how rooms function and whether the space accommodates their lifestyle. Professional staging demonstrates exactly how the property works.”Industry data suggests that staged homes may sell faster and at higher prices, with appraisers sometimes assigning higher values to staged properties.
Overcoming Cost Objections
Despite documented ROI, agents frequently encounter sellers who view staging as an unnecessary expense.
“I can’t believe how many people skip staging, assuming it’s too pricey or unnecessary, when the data clearly shows it boosts results,” Bilak notes.
The math often favors staging. Properties that linger on the market continue accruing mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs that frequently exceed staging investment within weeks.
To eliminate upfront cost barriers, Stage The Space partnered with Notable to offer pay-at-closing terms. Clients defer payment until the property sells.
Strategic Approach
Bilak’s staging emphasizes neutrality and broad market appeal. Furniture and décor are scaled to each property, with oversized art for large spaces and appropriately sized pieces for smaller rooms.
A distinctive element is biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements based on research showing positive effects on well-being. The goal is to create spaces that feel both aspirational and livable.
Seeking to add value for buyers, Bilak partnered with furniture platform From Where to launch a digital storefront. Properties now include QR codes directing visitors to her curated collection, where buyers can purchase staged furniture and décor.
Industry Education
Beyond staging projects, Bilak teaches continuing education courses for agents through the Real Estate Staging Association. The three-hour course provides credits toward license renewal plus the RESA CSA (Certified Staging Advocate) designation.
Her goal is to equip agents to position staging as essential infrastructure rather than an optional add-on. She notes that her most successful agent clients consistently stage listings.
Stage The Space operates throughout the Las Vegas Valley, staging homes across all price points with inventory adjusted to match each property’s market segment.
“While we specialize in high-end properties, we stage homes at every price point,” Bilak explains. “For luxury properties, we bring in the high-end pieces that elevate the space.”
As competition increases in the Las Vegas market, Bilak sees education as critical to wider staging adoption.
“Staging shouldn’t be thought of as an optional resource,” she emphasizes. “It’s a proven strategy that helps homes sell faster and achieve higher returns.”
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on industry trends and general data. Results may vary depending on individual circumstances. No guarantees are made regarding the sale price or speed of property transactions. Always consult with a real estate professional for advice specific to your situation.
