To stage or not to stage. For those of us who have staged a home or have seen a home that has had a major decorative face-lift, the answer is obvious: a big, fat, resounding “Yes” to staging.

I have recently discovered this new service called ‘staging’. At first, I thought it was some sort of means to ‘act out a pretend house’ – it has something to do with theatre, right? Looking further into exactly what staging a home really means, I thought, “I don’t need that – my taste is just fine. I can sell this house as-is with my own keen eye.” Then I saw a home that had undergone the magical transformation of staging. Wow, what a difference a service like this can make to selling (or purchasing) a home.

Andrea Foxman, CEO of “Home Ingredients” has been staging homes for over a year. Design and Interior Decorating are her passion and this naturally successful entrepreneur (she started, ran, and grew a highly successful talent agency business for 10 years prior to this endeavor) has the knack for good business, and more importantly, she knows how to make a home aesthetically brilliant.

A little known housing market fact: Homes that are staged sell up to 5-7% more. As Andrea sees it,

“It’s like detailing your car when you want to sell it…. a little curb appeal, rearranging your furniture and the flow of the house could make a big difference in your sale.”

Most home sellers don’t want to take the time and money to spiff up their homes. 5-7% more seals the deal for me. If you’re selling a home, “Home Ingredients” enables the seller a very large leg up when selling a home and provides the buyer the vision and incentive to purchase that perfect home. And they do it all: scope the project, bring in the goods, the set up, the strike down – et voila, a sold home!

Andrea has some unbelievable pieces in her jam-packed warehouse on the west side in Vancouver. Her unique and creative style is not the only aspect that gives her an advantage on her competitors – “Home Ingredients” rents furniture as well. So if you are a professional stager, you’d go to Andrea for her fine selection of rentals. Calling all Realtors and developers: you need this woman’s expert assistance!

My artistic ego has taken a hit: there’s plenty of good proof and reason to leave this role to the professionals and have Andrea continue to do what she delivers so brilliantly.