• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Brianna Caleri: Popular steakhouse carves out modern Mexican niche in Central Austin
    Casa Del Bistec
    Popular steakhouse carves out modern Mexican niche in Central Austin
    By Brianna Caleri
    Brianna Caleri: 5 things to know in Austin food right now: Iconic Ski Shores Cafe reopens on the lake
    News You Can Eat
    5 things to know in Austin food now: Iconic Ski Shores Cafe reopens
    By Brianna Caleri
    Brianna Caleri: Cult-favorite Houston restaurant redefines 'local' with long-awaited Austin opening
    New Locale
    Cult-favorite Houston restaurant redefines 'local' with Austin opening
    By Brianna Caleri

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: H-E-B might anchor massive Manor development, plus more hot headlines
    Hot Headlines
    H-E-B might anchor massive Manor development, plus more hot headlines
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Alex Bentley: Baz Luhrmann's Elvis fails to shake up the myth of music legend
    Movie Review
    Baz Luhrmann's Elvis fails to shake up the myth of music legend
    By Alex Bentley
    Paige Turner: Here are the top 5 things to do in Austin this weekend
    Weekend Event Guide
    Here are the top 5 things to do in Austin this weekend
    By Paige Turner

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Austin's Harry Ransom Center hosts centennial celebration of author James Joyce
    Bibliophiles ReJoyce
    Harry Ransom Center hosts centennial celebration of James Joyce
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Hannah J. Phillips: Austin Public Library and BookPeople band together to celebrate banned books
    Freedom to Read
    Austin Public Library and BookPeople band together for banned books
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Brianna Caleri: Texas Women for the Arts champions 5 Austin organizations with annual grants
    Wish Granted
    Texas Women for the Arts champions 5 Austin organizations with grants
    By Brianna Caleri

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Austinites gather to toast, taste, and crown top culinary talent at the Tastemakers
    A Delicious Celebration
    Austinites toast, taste, and crown top culinary talent at Tastemakers
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Katey Psencik Outka: Founder of boozy Austin brand weds local singer in destination event
    Ranch Rider
    Founder of boozy Austin brand weds local singer in destination event
    By Katey Psencik Outka
    Katey Psencik Outka: Local music legend's niece ties the knot in romantic Austin ceremony
    Real Wedding
    Local music legend's niece ties the knot in romantic Austin ceremony
    By Katey Psencik Outka

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : ZACH Theatre
    Entertainment
    ZACH Theatre
    : Spiderhouse Ballroom
    Entertainment
    Spiderhouse Ballroom
    : Vic Mathias Shores
    Entertainment
    Vic Mathias Shores

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : Museum of Ice Cream
    6.27.22 | 10:00 am
    Museum of Ice Cream
    : Kraftwerk in concert
    6.27.22 | 8:00 pm
    Kraftwerk in concert
    : Paramount Theatre presents Summer Classic Film Series
    6.28.22 | 7:30 pm
    Paramount Theatre presents Summer Classic Film Series

    SPONSORED BY

  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Mueller's first boutique hotel books into bustling Austin neighborhood
    Mueller memo
    Mueller's first boutique hotel books into bustling Austin neighborhood
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    John Egan: UT hooks highly touted quarterback from famed Manning football family
    Star power
    UT hooks highly touted quarterback from famed Manning football family
    By John Egan
    Hannah J. Phillips: Austin-area lake town splashes onto list of best waterways in the U.S.
    Lake-way to go
    Austin-area lake town splashes onto list of best waterways in the U.S.
    By Hannah J. Phillips

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Former Texas Longhorn launches luxury shopping destination in South Austin
    Sporting Fashion
    Former Longhorn launches luxury shopping destination in South Austin
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Hannah J. Phillips: Austin jewelry star Kendra Scott shines with dazzling engagement ring collection
    Great Scott
    Austin jewelry star Kendra Scott debuts dazzling new engagement rings
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Kristen O'Brien: Iconic French fashion house Hermès unwraps elegant Austin store
    Hermès Home
    Iconic French fashion house Hermès unwraps elegant Austin store
    By Kristen O'Brien

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Stunning Lake Austin home owned by Counting Crows pianist hits market to tune of $4.25 million
    Keeping up with Mr. Jones
    Counting Crows pianist's Lake Austin home for sale to tune of $4.25M
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    : Austin named No. 2 most overpriced housing market in the U.S. in new study
    Second Worst
    Austin named No. 2 most overpriced housing market in the U.S.
    By KVUE Staff
    Arden Ward: City of Austin home price hits record $667,000 as number of homes for sale soars
    Real Estate Report
    City of Austin home price hits $667K as number of homes for sale soars
    By Arden Ward

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: Iconic South Congress store closes up shop after 33 years
    So long
    Iconic South Congress store closes up shop after 33 years
    By John Egan
    Holly Beretto: Step back in time inside 9 grand and historic Galveston homes on popular tour
    living history
    Step back in time inside 9 grand and historic homes on Galveston tour
    By Holly Beretto
    David Phillips: Sustainable outdoor furniture brand selects Austin for first Texas showroom
    Become a Yardbird
    Sustainable outdoor furniture brand selects Austin for Texas debut
    By David Phillips

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Austin-based Bumble sponsors 50 female athletes to honor 50 years of Title IX
    Big League Bumble
    Austin-based Bumble sponsors 50 female athletes in honor of Title IX
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Brianna Caleri: Texas university awards $4 million for groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research
    Brainy Theories
    Texas university awards $4M for groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research
    By Brianna Caleri
    John Egan: Elon Musk poised to become the world’s first trillionaire by 2024
    Mega bucks for Musk
    Elon Musk poised to become the world’s first trillionaire by 2024
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: River Walk hotel celebrates 40th anniversary with $38 million transformation
    Revamped River Walk
    River Walk hotel celebrates 40th anniversary with $38M transformation
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    John Egan: Spa at Hill Country resort previously owned by George Strait goes up in flames
    Blaze near Boerne
    Spa at George Strait's former Hill Country resort goes up in flames
    By John Egan
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Unique design plans unveiled for National Juneteenth Museum in Texas
    Museum news
    Unique design plans unveiled for National Juneteenth Museum in Texas
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
Kuper Real Estate Insider
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Real Estate
Your Expert Guide
Westlake's Lost Creek: Where nature meets laid-back family memories
Haute Property
Contemporary Lakeway home sports a dream kitchen and backyard oasis
LATEST NEWS
Sip, shop, savor, and see your way through historical Salado
Ask the Expert

Austin real estate guru reveals the awesome power of staging

Austin real estate guru reveals the awesome power of staging

By CultureMap Create
Enlarge
Slideshow
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
1002 Lund St. was on the market for about three months without staging — once staged, it sold in a matter of weeks. Photo courtesy of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
Staging can make an enormous difference to buyers. Photo courtesy of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
Online listings with staged photos tend to receive more in-person showings. Photo courtesy of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
Make it easier for buyers to envision themselves living there. Photo courtesy of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
Virtual staging is helpful for landscaping, especially after unusual weather events like the 2021 freeze. Photo courtesy of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
The freeze stunted greenery growth for that year; virtual staging brought it back. Photo courtesy of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
Buyers have a hard time visualizing scale without furniture. Photo courtesy of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
Floorplans alone can be confusing, so staging helps humanize the space. Photo courtesy of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
Don't forget about staging outdoor areas as well. Photo courtesy of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home
1002 Lund Street Austin staged home

After owning her own company in another market, Susan Griffith combined her considerable experience with a passion for her new surroundings and launched one of the most formidable careers in Central Texas real estate.

Her performance with Kuper Sotheby's International Realty has merited a place in the Elite 25, representing the top 1 percent of Austin luxury agents, for 19 years.

One of the most vital things she has learned during her exemplary career is the power of staging.

"I am passionate about keeping up with the latest interior design trends, and have had the opportunity to collaborate with great stagers who inspire me," she says. "Staging creates an emotional connection with a potential buyer. It's about creating a space where memorable moments can happen."

Debating about whether you should get your home staged before putting it on the market? Read on for more of Griffith's advice.

Inspire buyers
People often search for homes online first, and a listing that includes staged photos are much more likely to catch a potential buyer's eye.

"Most buyers are uninspired by an empty house, and staging helps them see the best use for each room and imagine living in the home," says Griffith.

Go virtual
The pandemic changed a lot about the real estate industry, with one of the biggest being the introduction — and popularity — of virtual tours and staging.

Griffith has embraced this technological advancement, using it for both interior design and exterior landscaping. It especially came in handy after the 2021 freeze.

"Through the power of virtual staging, we were able to bring life to the trees, bushes, and grass, making the landscaping appear lush and vibrant — which it would have been if it were not for the freeze," Griffith says.

She always purchases a floorplan for each of her listings, to ensure that the virtual experience mirrors the in-person one as much as possible.

"Sometimes a floorplan by itself is not enough for a potential client to visualize the layout of a home," she says. "Virtual staging seamlessly guides a client through each room and helps them imagine how the spaces can be used."

Simple steps
There are small things you can do that make a huge impact, such as letting in natural light and having the same bright light bulbs throughout the home.

Griffith also advises having as much walkable space as possible so that each room has a good flow. This can be achieved by removing any furniture too large for the space that would block windows or walkways.

Having countertops free of any clutter and everything picked up off closet floors make those spaces feel much roomier.

"Many people do not want to spend the money to stage the outdoor areas, but it always makes the home more inviting," Griffith says.

---

See testimonials from Susan Griffith's clients here, or contact her at 512-626-4102 or susan.griffith@sothebysrealty.com.

Read These Next
downtown odessa patio bar
Dip into Downtown Odessa for a fun roster of food and festivals
Texas Heroes Day in La Grange
Head to La Grange to walk in the footsteps of true Texas heroes
Counting Crows house
Counting Crows pianist's Lake Austin home for sale to tune of $4.25M
downtown odessa patio bar
Dip into Downtown Odessa for a fun roster of food and festivals
Texas Heroes Day in La Grange
Head to La Grange to walk in the footsteps of true Texas heroes
Counting Crows house
Counting Crows pianist's Lake Austin home for sale to tune of $4.25M
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • H-E-B might anchor massive Manor development, plus more hot headlines
  • Austin-based Bumble sponsors 50 female athletes in honor of Title IX
  • Mueller's first boutique hotel books into bustling Austin neighborhood
  • River Walk hotel celebrates 40th anniversary with $38M transformation
  • Dip into Downtown Odessa for a fun roster of food and festivals
    - promoted -
See All Latest News >
  • Cult-favorite Houston restaurant redefines 'local' with Austin opening
  • 5 things to know in Austin food now: Iconic Ski Shores Cafe reopens
  • Counting Crows pianist's Lake Austin home for sale to tune of $4.25M
  • Popular steakhouse carves out modern Mexican niche in Central Austin
  • 10 fabulous ways to celebrate 4th of July in Austin and beyond
Vote Now
Where to Eat Austin
3/11
Where to eat in Austin: 12 hot spots to feed your face during SXSW
10/1
Where to eat in Austin right now: 10 spots near ACL Fest to feast on
8/13
Where to eat in Austin right now: 10 best restaurants for summer bites
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2022 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>