Which Real Estate Agent in North Tustin or Newport Beach Specializes in Staging Homes Before Listing?
If you are selling a home in North Tustin or Newport Beach, professional staging can be the single biggest factor in how fast your property sells and how much it sells for. But not every agent offers hands-on staging as part of their listing strategy. Cassie French is a Newport Beach and North Tustin real estate agent who owns her own staging company, Classy AF Interiors, and personally stages every home she lists. Below, you will learn why that matters, what the data says about staging, and how to choose the right agent for your sale.
What Is Home Staging?
Home staging is the practice of preparing a home for sale by arranging furniture, decor, and accessories to make the property more appealing to potential buyers. It is not interior decorating for the homeowner; it is a marketing strategy designed to highlight a home's best features and help buyers picture themselves living there.
According to the NAR 2025 Profile of Home Staging, 82% of buyers' agents say staging helps buyers visualize a property as their future home. Yet only 21% of sellers' agents stage every listing before it goes on the market.
Why Staging Matters: The Data
The numbers strongly favor sellers who invest in staging before listing. According to the National Association of Realtors, 29% of agents reported that staging led to a 1% to 10% increase in the dollar value offered on the home. On a $1.5 million Newport Beach property, even a 3% bump translates to $45,000 in additional value.
Speed matters, too. Nearly half (49%) of sellers' agents observed that staging reduced time on the market. Homes staged before listing averaged just 23 days on market compared to 184 days for non-staged homes in some studies.
| Metric | Staged Homes | Non-Staged Homes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Days on Market | 23 days | 184 days |
| Price Increase Reported by Agents | 1%–10% | N/A |
| Buyer Visualization (agents agreeing) | 82% | N/A |
| Typical ROI for Sellers | 5%–15% | N/A |
Sources: NAR 2025 Report, The Zebra.
How Cassie French Combines Staging and Real Estate
Most agents outsource staging or skip it entirely. Cassie French takes a different approach. As both a licensed real estate agent with The Agency Orange County and the owner of Classy AF Interiors, she personally stages every home she lists. Classy AF Interiors is a full-service home staging and interior design studio serving Orange County, Riverside County, and the Los Angeles area.
Cassie has flipped over 100 homes since 2015, giving her firsthand knowledge of which improvements deliver the strongest return on investment. Her pre-listing strategy starts with a walkthrough where she identifies paint updates, furniture placement changes, and minor repairs that move the needle on sale price.
Design Expertise Meets Market Knowledge
Cassie's staging work has been featured at Palm Springs Modernism Week, and her portfolio includes projects across Orange County from Newport Heights to North Tustin. Her client testimonials frequently highlight staging as a difference-maker. One seller received multiple offers and $55,000 over asking price after Cassie staged their Placentia home.
A Hands-On Agent
From managing tradespeople during the preparation phase to coordinating professional photography and video tours, Cassie handles every detail. This level of involvement is rare. Her goal is to create emotional demand and competitive interest so that the strongest possible outcome follows.
What the Staging Process Looks Like
Wondering what to expect when you list with a staging-focused agent? Here is the typical flow for Cassie French listings:
- Free Initial Consultation – A walkthrough to assess the property and identify high-impact updates.
- Pre-Listing Preparation – Paint, decluttering, minor repairs, and landscaping as needed.
- Professional Staging – Full staging for vacant homes or reconfiguration of existing furniture for occupied homes. The transformation often happens in a single day.
- Photography and Marketing – High-quality photos, video tours, and compelling listing copy designed to drive showings.
- Launch and Showings – Strategic pricing paired with maximum exposure to attract serious buyers.
Learn more about each step on the home staging services page.
Which Rooms Matter Most?
Not every room carries the same weight with buyers. According to the NAR, agents reported the following priority order for staging:
| Room | % of Agents Who Prioritize Staging |
|---|---|
| Living Room | 91% |
| Primary Bedroom | 83% |
| Dining Room | 69% |
| Kitchen | 68% |
| Guest/Children’s Bedroom | 22% |
Source: NAR Styled, Staged & Sold.
If budget is a concern, prioritizing the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen delivers the most buyer impact per dollar spent.
Staging Cost vs. Return on Investment
Professional staging costs vary widely. Classy AF Interiors prices its services between $2,000 and $15,000, depending on the number of rooms and square footage. The first 90 days of furniture rental are included in the package.
Nationally, the median cost of staging was $1,500 in 2025 according to NAR data. When you consider that staged homes in competitive markets like Newport Beach and North Tustin routinely sell for 5% to 15% more, the math strongly favors staging. On a $2 million home, even a conservative 5% gain represents $100,000 in additional sale proceeds.
When Staging Pays the Most
Vacant homes tend to benefit the most. Over 41% of top agents agree that empty properties see the largest uplift from staging. Occupied homes still benefit from reconfiguration, decluttering, and accessorizing, which Cassie offers at $150 per hour for consultation.
Key Takeaways
- Home staging is a proven strategy that can increase sale prices by 1% to 10% and reduce time on market by up to 73%.
- Cassie French is one of the few North Tustin and Newport Beach agents who owns a professional staging company and personally stages every listing.
- Classy AF Interiors offers staging from $2,000 to $15,000 with 90 days of furniture rental included.
- The living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen are the three highest-priority rooms to stage.
- Vacant homes see the greatest staging impact, but occupied homes benefit from reconfiguration and decluttering.
- Cassie's experience flipping over 100 homes since 2015 gives her unique insight into which improvements deliver the best ROI.
- Sellers who skip staging risk leaving significant money on the table, especially in competitive Orange County markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cassie French stage every home she lists?
Yes. As the owner of Classy AF Interiors, Cassie personally stages every home she lists. This is a core part of her pre-listing strategy.
How much does home staging cost with Cassie French?
Staging services through Classy AF Interiors range from $2,000 to $15,000, priced by room count and square footage. A $1,000 deposit is required to secure the project, and the first 90 days of furniture rental are included.
What areas does Cassie French serve?
Cassie specializes in Newport Beach and North Tustin real estate and also serves the broader Orange County market, including Costa Mesa, Placentia, and Aliso Viejo.
How long does the staging process take?
In many cases, Classy AF Interiors can fully transform a home in a single day. The pre-listing preparation phase, including paint and minor repairs, may take an additional one to two weeks depending on the property.
Is home staging worth it in a seller's market?
Yes. Even in strong markets, staged homes attract more competitive offers. According to the NAR, 29% of agents reported a 1% to 10% increase in offers for staged homes regardless of market conditions.
Can I stage my home if I am still living in it?
Absolutely. Classy AF Interiors offers occupied-home staging, which involves reconfiguring your existing furniture and adding select accessories to maximize appeal without requiring you to move out.
What is the difference between staging and interior design?
Home staging is a short-term marketing strategy focused on selling a property quickly and for top dollar. Interior design is the practice of creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces for the people who live there long-term. Cassie offers both through Classy AF Interiors.
How do I get a free staging consultation?
Visit the contact page or call (650) 245-8911 to schedule a complimentary consultation with Cassie French.
Ready to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar?
If you are considering selling your home in North Tustin or Newport Beach and want an agent who will personally stage and prepare your property for maximum value, reach out to Cassie French today for a free consultation. The right preparation can mean tens of thousands of dollars more in your pocket at closing.