The Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®) was formed in April 2007 by a group of 600 real estate stagers and several home staging training providers with a desire to advance excellence and professionalism in the real estate staging industry by forming the industry’s first trade association. At that time, there were no independent, non-profit trade associations that focused on the needs of all stagers regardless of their designations and training. This is still true today. RESA’s founding members saw a need for neutrality and diversity: an organization to support all stagers regardless of the designations they held and to represent the industry in its entirety. Since RESA’s inception, members and corporate partners have agreed to unify and lead the industry through self-regulation by following a code of ethics and supporting RESA’s mission.

Together through the RESA executive team, RESA leadership, and the RESA Board of Directors, and our members, we have built a community of entrepreneurs and professionals that are stronger together. The RESA community supports, uplifts and encourages one another to continue to grow as an industry. Together, RESA home stagers and affiliates are growing industry awareness and raising expectations.

RESA applied to the IRS to become a trade association that falls under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. RESA was approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(6)  tax-exempt non-profit trade association on January 12, 2009. In addition to RESA being approved as a tax-exempt non-profit association, RESA chapters may apply to also be recognized as a tax-exempt non-profit under RESA’s 501(c)(6) status as a subordinate organization. RESA is the only recognized real estate staging trade association under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.

How does this benefit RESA members? RESA is not owned by any one person. RESA is the industry’s only trade association funded and directed by its members for the sole purpose of the betterment of the industry. There is no conflict of interest. RESA’s board of directors are elected by the membership and collectively serve to represent their constituency. RESA’s membership consists of real estate stagers of all designations, backgrounds and affiliations, as well as affiliate members who service our industry.  

RESA’s leadership structure consists of roughly forty chapters throughout North America, state and provincial presidents and a national board of directors. RESA provides leadership opportunities for our members in an effort to further the professional development of our members and the industry as a whole.

RESA partners with companies and organizations that provide resources that will benefit the industry. RESA only endorses core training and continuing education aligned with our mission and values in advancing the industry. Since RESA is a neutral third party, stagers and the training providers we work with trust that we are acting in their best interest. Because RESA is the industry’s only trade association not owned, operated, or directed by a training provider, consumers rely on our resources and recommendations with confidence.

RESA's Growth, Achievements and Recognition

2008

RESA launched the Home Staging Industry Awards®. The Home Staging Industry Awards are the industry's most prestigious awards, honoring real estate staging mastery. Each year top producing stagers are recognized for their professional excellence and superior skills in the art of home staging and redesign. RESA also recognizes our industry’s top leaders for the work they do to drive our industry forward.  

2009

RESA launched the Home Staging Newswire, the staging industry’s source for industry news. RESA delivers rich content focusing on the needs of real estate staging.

RESA released the first edition of the Consumer’s Guide to Real Estate Staging.  This is a free publication that includes, statistics, the benefits of real estate staging, staging tips, a moving checklist and guidance on how to properly vett a professional real estate stager.

RESA started collecting data on staging statistics. RESA releases staging statistics every two-years. This data clearly supports that real estate staging reduces the time on the market significantly.

RESA was named as a finalist in the Best Overall Company of the Year – Service Businesses category in the 6th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, and the companies they run – worldwide.  The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world’s premier business awards. More than 1,100 entries were submitted this year for consideration, including Best Executive, Best Entrepreneur, and Best Community Involvement Program.  RESA was a finalist in the Best Overall Company of the Year – Service Businesses – up to 100 Employees. Shell Brodnax,CEO of RESA was named as finalist in the Best Executive – Non-Profit or Government – Up to 100 Employees category in the 6th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

RESA developed the RESA Accreditation program for real estate staging training providers. The RESA Accreditation is a type of quality assurance process, under which real estate staging training school course materials and operations have been examined by an independent third-party, RESA, to determine if applicable standards are met. Should the educational provider meet the RESA standards, the provider receives accredited status from RESA. Our accreditation process was adapted using the United States Department of Education postsecondary accreditation system.  Click here for more information.

2010

RESA produced the Consumer’s Guide to Real Estate Staging DVD.  This short informational DVD explains the benefits of staging as well as statistics. The DVD is geared towards agents and homeowners.

RESA created the RESA-PRO designation. It is a higher level designation for the professional real estate stager. The designation requires proof of business structure, a business checking account, staging business insurance as well as passing an ethics exam.  

RESA has held the industry’s largest annual convention, RESACON. RESACON is held in Las Vegas annually and is scheduled just prior to the Las Vegas Market.  RESACON was held at the Treasure Island Resort and Casino in Las Vegas from 2010 until 2016.

RESA created a class for real estate agents called the Real Estate Professional’s Guide to Real Estate Staging. In 2015 the name of the course was changed to Staging to Sell, What Every Agent Should Know. The course is approved in many states for 3 MCE Credits.  The course is taught by RESA-PRO designees who are RESA Approved Instructors.

2012

Shell Brodnax, CEO of RESA® was honored by the Staging & Design Network as the 2011 Leader of the Year during the association’s annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2013

RESA launched the RESA Cares program. RESA Cares is a resource for members and chapters who want to give back to their local community. RESA Cares has done community outreach projects working with food drives, homeless shelters, women and children shelters as well as Habitat for Humanity.

2015

RESA Reports were released on pricing, front doors and kitchens. These informational publications are distributed as part of RESA’s outreach program to consumer’s and agents.

Stager Talk Podcast was created. The Stager Talk format features industry professionals discussing important topics. In 2018 Stager Talk was moved from a Podcast to video.

RESA hired Vice President of Operations Gina Vierra. Gina comes to RESA with a strong background in staging related provider services.  Gina is responsible for helping RESA achieve financial goals and objectives and increase operating performance.

2016

RESA brought on our Chief Buzz Creator Felicia Pulley. Felicia is responsible for all things social media related as well as strengthening RESA’s overall brand identity.

RESA launched a record-breaking eleven new RESA chapters in one year across North America.

2017

RESA added the RESA Certified Staging Advocate (RESA-CSA) as a benefit to real estate agents who complete the Staging to Sell, What Every Agent Should Know class. 

By the end of 2017 the RESA Staging To Sell, What Every Agent Should Know class is offered as a professional development designation class in every state in the United States, as well as every Province in Canada. It was approved for MCE credits in CO, CT, DC, Fl, GA, MO, NV, NC, NJ, NH, OR, OH, TN, VA, and WA.  With over 30 instructors at the end of 2017, the program is the real estate industry's largest network of continuing education staging instructors in North America.

RESA added two more full-time employees; a dedicated Education Coordinator to our education department overseeing RESA’s member education and MCE program, as well as a dedicated Chapter Coordinator who works directly with local chapters and leadership.

RESA implemented a Canadian Strategic Planning Committee. The committee addresses the specific needs and goals of our Canadian membership.

RESACON was moved from the Treasure Island Resort and Casino to the beautiful M Resort. The Las Vegas Market also started partnering with RESA to bring wholesale vendors to RESA members.

RESA launched our learning management system that includes continuing education classes and a multitude of professional development webinars that are offered as an exclusive benefit to RESA members.

2018

RESA EDGE events were introduced to the industry as a one-day events with Education Dedicated to Growth and Excellence (EDGE). RESA EDGE events are offered on the local level.

The RESA Buying Group was announced at RESACON 2018. The RESA Buying Group uses the collective purchasing power of our members to negotiate lower prices and special offers than members receive on their own.

RESA added the Real Estate Staging Industry’s Most Influential People category to the Home Staging Industry Awards.

2019
RESA Hosted seven industry educators for a collaborative discussion about standardizing education for the betterment of the industry December 4th, 2019, the first time in our industry this many training providers collaborated together!  Thank you for collaborating Staging Studio, Certified Staging Professionals, Home Staging Resource, , The Decorologist The Decorating and Staging Academy, SLS Academy and Transformations Staging and Redesign School we look forward to furthering the conversation in 2020. The Academy of Home Staging and Design is in support but was not able to attend the first meeting.

RESA's proprietary Staging To Sell, What Every Agent Should Know is approved in a total of 20 states for CE credits.
As of December 11th 2019 there are a total of 69 RESA Approved Instructors who are able to teach the Staging To Sell What Every Agent Should Know RESA Course.

RESA Approved Instructors taught over 3,000 agents the Staging To Sell What Every Agent Should Know class in 2019. Agents who attended this 3 hour class received the RESA CSA designation (Certified Staging Advocate) and CE credits when applicable.

RESA's CEO Shell Brodnax spoke at the Las Vegas World Market, and AmericasMart about home staging. Shell also spoke at the following industry events: 2019 REALTORS® Conference & Expo, Triple Play and She's Unstoppable Live! raising awareness about the importance of collaborating with a professional home stager.

The RESA Broward Chapter hosted local industry professionals for a day of learning and networking for RESA EDGE Broward.

RESA had a total of 47 active RESA chapters spanning the USA and Canada at the end of 2019.

The RESA Seattle Chapter, our longest active RESA chapter celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019.

RESA held the first RESA Connect events in Atlanta and Toronto. RESA Connect  Home Stager Wealth Expo and Buying Summit is an educational event designed for the top producing stager, seasoned stager, wholesale purchasing real estate stager and any stager who wants to plan for a profitable future.

RESACON 2019 was filmed and made available to all of the attendees for the first time.

2020
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March the Real Estate Staging Association supported the staging industry by dedicating a portion of our website to resources for home stagers in the USA and Canada, which can be found here:RESA's Updates for Stagers during the COVID-19 Outbreak.

RESA's COVID-19 Virus Guide was created to help home stagers navigate running a business during the pandemic. 

RESA reached out to the government asking for small business grands (not loans), communicated with state government offices seeking clarity on COVID-19 stay at home orders and requesting real estate stagers be allowed to retrieve their inventory due to escrows being allowed to close. Learn more here and here.

RESA created a ten week series on navigating the covid-19 crisis. RESA CEO hosted industry leaders each week for a live episode of Staging Industry Insights. In this live event hosts and attendees share new resources, messaging, insights and challenges in the staging industry. Click here  to watch the series on-demand.

RESA Hosted the first virtual RESACON due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, which included a panel of experts from the real estate industry to discuss the changes in the industry due to the world wide pandemic.

RESA formed a Diversity Committee

RESA updated The Consumer's Guide to Real Estate Staging.

2021

The RESA Membership and RESA Board of Directors elected RESA’s first Afro-Latina female Chairperson, Jacquelin C. Franklin.

RESA conducted and published the results of their first Seller's Market Survey.

National BOD positions increased from 5 to 7 directors, while the terms extended from 2 to 3-year limits.

RESA's Home Staging Newswire got an updated look.

RESA Hosted a virtual RESACON for the second year, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The 2021 Panel of Experts brought together, for the first time, all RESA Accredited and Affiliate Home Staging Education Providers to talk about the importance of education to raise excellence and professionalism within the staging industry.

RESA launched a Chapter Value Survey.

The Leadership and Professional Development Committee's made final recommendations to the National BOD for the Leadership Academy Program.

RESA Jacksonville Chapter hosted a RESA EDGE event.

RESA Board of Directors approved the following diversity statement, based on the Diversity Committee's recommendation: "The Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®) encourages the culture of inclusion, where diversity, equity, and unity are core values. RESA® empowers our community of staging professionals to recognize and embrace member differences in age, culture, gender, sexual orientation, ability es, race, and ethnicity."

New statistics were released with a study of 4600 properties that were staged and 73% sold for over list price and these properties sold 9 days faster than the average DOM.

RESA launched phase I of our new Education Program. RESA will now only promote RESA Accredited Education Providers for CORE Education and we are approaching CE and Niche classes for our membership as well. Phase II will include CE Requirements in order to renew membership. We hope to launch the balance of the program by 2023.

Introduced an Ask the Experts series. A Blog/Blog series of experts answering the top questions in our industry.

RESA’s Trademarks

1. RESA Real Estate Staging Association Advancing Professionalism and Excellence in Real Estate Staging was filed August 25, 2008 and approved May 5, 2009 under serial number 77554469.

2. ADVANCING PROFESSIONALISM AND EXCELLENCE IN REAL ESTATE STAGING Filed March 2017Serial number 87360252 

3. RESA-PRO was filed on February 13, 2010 and approved on October 19, 2010 under serial number 77935275.

4. Real Estate Staging Association was filed on March 23, 2012 and approved on November 20, 2012 under serial number 85577741.

5. Home Staging Industry Awards was filed on November 9, 2016 and approved August 22, 2017 under serial number 87230928.

6. Advancing Professionalism and Excellence in Real Estate Staging was filed on March 6, 2017 and approved September 26, 2017 under serial number 87360252.

7. RESACON was filed on March 6, 2017 and approved on October 31, 2017 under serial number 87360226.

8. Home Staging Newswire was filed on March 6, 2017 and approved on  January 30, 2018 under serial number 87360231.

9. RESA Filed August 29, 2018 Serial number 88096713