HOME Staging and Real Estate by Molly Marino

10/17/2025

🚨BEFORE AND AFTER ALERT!! 🚨 I gleefully finished up this quick rehab (3 weeks) to sell this investment home for my client. The house was lovingly maintained prior to us taking possession but it needed an aesthetic boost (kitchen was from the 1960s, bath was from the 80s and overall design was circa 1999). We decided to not overdo this home as a future buyer will likely do work in the basement and perhaps the attic. So we made this perfectly livable for today (without over improving areas that will likely get redone anyway) in a wonderful school district for the right family at an attainable price point. No walls came down....just a boost with paint, cabinets, counters some fundamental underpinnings and lighting. We are all tickled with the result...as is the market!

10/16/2025

Another solid staging project in the books for a fellow agent! This West Loop 2 bed condo was on the market for 46 days and then cancelled. The sellers were frustrate with the lack of activity. The space was vacant and they used virtual staging (seen in the before photos here). When buying a space, it's one thing to draw them in the door with lovely photos, but if a buyer can't "feel" the space and fall in love and really visualize the sofa, table and bed set once inside, you lose your chance to nab that contract! In this space the living area was small and the virtual staging didn't show a space for an actual dining table. At $600K it seemed logical to me that this buyer would at least want the ability to dine 4 people. So I staged accordingly and brought life to this space. Once relisted and with new photos and the full experience, it went under contract in under 7 days!

04/26/2023

Busy busy busy staging a new listing today. It’s a beauty. Before and afters coming up later this week!

04/14/2023

Just when I want to sleep, I realize that I have a story deadline tomorrow AM for a Forbes article. The topic is how to display important keepsakes and personal mementos in a fashion that isn't cliche, tacky or out of fashion. And where in the home is the best place to do so.

All I can think of is the Lladro collections from the older greek women in my hometown. And how in the world I can make these design-forward for today's living? Like, what if I inherited one of these collections?

This is a stumper...I'm going to have a glass or two of wine while I write.

04/14/2023

Proud to be nominated for this Real Estate Stating Association award. Let's do this!

04/06/2023

Another editorial feature for me this week. This one talks about the things that immediately date a home office and how to correct those before you sell.

Need help updating your space before you sell? Message me!

According to real estate pros.

04/05/2023

I've got to say I'm excited about this editorial momentum that is building! My work was featured in another story on Apartment Therapy this week about a project I did last year. Check out this article about how I renovated this condo space to create two bedrooms out of a 1 bed space and net the client a fantastic profit on the backend!

The $20k project boosted the condo’s value by $100k.

03/30/2023

Excited to partner with for this week’s remodel and staging project. I’m at the property setting up today where Catalina has loaned me a few lovely plants to make the photo shoot pop! Can’t wait to share the “afters” with you all!

03/30/2023

Another SO fun before and after is wrapping up. Staging today. Photo shoot Friday. I can’t wait to show off this one. Two more under way. Spring market is booming!

03/17/2023

Throwback. I loved working on this fun little staging ensemble back when I was getting started. It was an open loft studio condo...I had fun playing with color and making it poppy for a young 20-something buyer.

03/15/2023

I’m about to rock another Before and After project. This task is to turn this frat house worthy penthouse condo back into a $1M listing for sale. Stay tuned!

03/15/2023

Another Before and After renovation about to come your way in the coming month. I've been brought on to turn this frat house looking penthouse condo into a $1M listing in Lincoln Park. Stay tuned for some magic...