Imagine your favorite place in your home. Maybe it’s a porch with light streaming through windows. Maybe it’s a kitchen overflowing with delicious scents or that comfy couch in the living room. You probably love that spot because of how it makes you feel and who you share it with.
Now think back to the first time you walked into that space. Did you see its potential right away, or did it grow on you over time? Picturing yourself living in a home isn’t always instant, but it is significant. That’s why a local group of professional stagers partnered with ReStore to support future Habitat homebuyers.
Melissa Evans and Kristin Campbell co-founded the Minneapolis Area chapter of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) in 2016. With about 40 members, their chapter is the largest in the country and won 2022 Chapter of the Year. Since the beginning, the group has been committed to doing service projects to give back to the community. RESA members Heidi Bergeland and Tina Gordon explained that the group exists not only to network with other professional stagers but to also have a positive impact.
This year’s project? Staging a Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity home with furniture and items from ReStore. On the morning of November 8, 15 energetic RESA members gathered at the Minneapolis ReStore to start the project. After loading items from both locations with the help of ReStore staff, they traveled to a vacant Habitat home in Roseville. Then they worked their magic!
In just a few hours, the empty house was turned into a welcoming home. The stagers expertly and efficiently gave each space—from bedrooms to a living room and basement office—purpose and style. As Melissa explained, staging helps people see potential during a tour of the house. They can envision themselves and their families living in the home. Kristie Moore, vice president of membership for the chapter’s board, added, “A staged home helps a prospective buyer see the potential, feel emotional touchpoints, and better understand the scale and function of each room.”
Scroll through the before-and-after photos for the full transformation!
“This project represents the achievement of a really important goal for the homebuyer. I’m happy to bring attention to good things happening in our community.” — RESA member Susan Foster
Since RESA members staged the home, Habitat clients—future homeowners—have toured. Whoever purchases the home will also have the option to purchase the items from ReStore at a discounted price.
"The amazing ways Twin Cities Habitat makes homeownership possible is changing lives. Add staging, and now you have a special package,” said Kristie. “We know firsthand the power of an inviting, well-furnished space and how that elevates hope and improves lives. Everyone deserves a safe, beautiful, and dignified home to live in and share with those they love.”
Thank you, RESA members, for sharing your time, energy, and creativity!
Learn more about RESA on their website, or follow the Minneapolis Area chapter’s Facebook or Instagram pages.