Strategic Home Staging Addresses Buyer Visualization Gap in Las Vegas Real Estate Market

Fiorenza Bilak, founder of Stage The Space, LLC, has built a business addressing a fundamental challenge in real estate: most buyers cannot visualize how to use empty rooms. Her entry into home staging began seven years ago when she staged her husband's struggling property, resulting in three over-asking offers the same day. This experience revealed the power of addressing what Bilak identifies as a visualization gap affecting sales outcomes.

Bilak's staging philosophy centers on statistics from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) indicating that 83% of people lack the imagination to visualize empty spaces. "When 83% of your potential buyers are walking into a property, that's an enormous number to gamble with," Bilak explains. Professional staging provides immediate answers about how buyers could live in a space, encouraging them to overlook flaws and envision an upgraded lifestyle. Industry data and Bilak's experience demonstrate that staging increases both sales speed and price, with appraisers often valuing staged homes higher than unstaged properties.

Despite documented benefits, Bilak frequently encounters skepticism from those viewing staging as a cost rather than investment. "Many don't realize that skipping staging can end up costing more in the long run," she emphasizes, noting that properties lingering on market accrue expenses often exceeding staging costs. To reduce financial barriers, Stage The Space partnered with Notable to offer pay-at-closing options, allowing clients to defer payment until the property sells.

Bilak's staging approach emphasizes neutrality and broad appeal while incorporating biophilic touches with greenery and organic elements. "Neurologically speaking, it helps human beings live better, behave better, feel better, heal better," she notes, referencing Singapore's hospital system where biophilic design supports patient recovery. Seeking to diversify her business, Bilak partnered with furniture platform From Where to establish a digital storefront where buyers can purchase furniture and décor seen in staged homes through QR codes displayed at properties.

Beyond staging projects, Bilak teaches a three-hour continuing education course through RESA, providing agents with credits toward license renewal and the Certified Staging Advocate designation. Her goal is equipping agents with tools to advocate for staging as standard practice. Stage The Space operates throughout the Las Vegas Valley, staging homes across all price points while limiting service radius to ensure quality. "While we specialize in high-end properties, we stage homes at every price point," Bilak explains, noting her inventory includes everything needed for different market segments.

As the Las Vegas real estate market evolves with shifting buyer expectations, Bilak sees education as key to wider staging adoption. "Staging shouldn't be thought of as an optional resource," she says. "It's a proven strategy that helps homes sell faster and achieve higher returns." Through strategic staging, technology partnerships, and industry education, Bilak is helping bridge the gap between vacant properties and successful sales by providing visual answers to buyers' imagination limitations.