From Sitting for Over a Year to Sold Above Asking in 2 Weeks

But nothing changed. Until one key decision did.

When Melinda Zeller of Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper stepped in as the new listing agent, she knew exactly what the home needed: staging with BY Design.

 Here’s a text we got from Melinda a few days after we staged the home:

A Beautiful Home… That Buyers Didn’t Emotionally Connect With

The home itself was beautiful. Spacious, high-end, and located in the sought-after hill country near New Braunfels, TX.

But after sitting vacant for so long, it started to feel more like an abandoned property than a dream home—and buyers struggle to connect emotionally with empty rooms.

Without furniture, it’s hard to understand:

• How large the spaces truly are
• Where conversations would happen
• What the lifestyle could feel like

That’s where staging changes everything.

A New Agent. A New Strategy. A Whole New Energy.

Melinda’s clients had been through a stressful experience with their previous listing agent. They moved out early, the home sat empty, and the listing lost momentum.

Melinda wanted to relaunch the home with confidence, and she didn’t waste time.

She brought in BY Design to stage the property and help buyers finally see what was possible.

We staged the home, and the difference was immediate.

Same price. Same home.

New feeling.

Image by Housi Media

Design That Helped Buyers Fall in Love Again

We focused on:

• Neutral furniture and decor that balanced out the rich wood features of the home
• Elevated styling that matched the home’s luxury price point
• Soft layers and light tones to bring comfort into every room

Instead of echoing emptiness, the home finally felt welcoming.

The Results: Two Offers in the First Week

Once staged, the listing hit the market with a completely different impact.

And buyers responded fast.

• The home received two offers within the first week.
• It went under contract in less than two weeks.

And it closed just 35 days later.

For a home that had struggled for over a year, that shift was huge.

Sold Above List Price (And the Buyers Wanted the Furniture!)

Not only did the home sell quickly, it sold above asking.

And one of the best surprises?

We received an email from the buyers asking if our staging furniture was for sale.

That’s always the sign of a staging win.

When buyers love the design so much they want to keep it, you know the home made an emotional connection.

Why This Success Story Matters for Agents

This project is proof of something we see again and again:

Price reductions don’t create emotional attachment. Presentation does.

A well-staged home helps buyers:

• Understand scale
• Feel the lifestyle
• Remember the property
• Make stronger offers faster

Melinda didn’t change the price—she changed the experience. And that made all the difference.

Ready to Turn a Stalled Listing Around?

If you have a listing that needs fresh momentum, staging can be the smartest move you make.

At BY Design, we help homes sell faster, show better, and stand out in competitive markets across San Antonio, New Braunfels, and the Texas Hill Country.

📞 Call us today at 210-722-1633 to get a free quote!