The real estate market has a not-so-secret weapon: home staging. And few understand its power like Theresa Agey.
A Des Moines native who grew up in her family’s furniture business, Theresa launched her own store in 2011 and quickly discovered how staging could transform a property’s first impression—and its final sales price.
Today, with nearly 80% of her clients being investors, Theresa has become a go-to partner for turning empty spaces into market-ready homes. From navigating the shift to online furniture retail to meeting the unique demands of staging Airbnb and STR properties, she’s built her business on adaptability and detail.
In this episode, Theresa shares how design can drive real estate success, why flexibility is her biggest competitive edge, and how her resilience—both as a business owner and as a breast cancer survivor—continues to shape her impact in Des Moines and beyond.
5 Takeaways
• How family roots in furniture shaped Theresa’s eye for design — and how that gives her an edge in staging today.
• Why first impressions matter & how staging transforms the way buyers perceive a property and helps investors move homes faster.
• How Theresa stages with ROI in mind — and why every investor needs a designer who understands the numbers.
• Why adaptability is your biggest asset — and how staging trends have shifted from retail homes to Airbnbs and STRs.
• How Theresa's experience as a breast cancer survivor shaped her leadership — and why empathy builds stronger teams and businesses
👤 About Theresa Agey
A West Des Moines native, Theresa Agey has been immersed in the furniture business since childhood. After opening her own store in 2011, she discovered her passion for home staging—helping transform properties for investors, realtors, and short-term rentals. Based in Park Fair Mall, her business has grown into a trusted partner for creating spaces that sell. Beyond furniture and design, Theresa is a breast cancer survivor, a volunteer with Can Do Cancer, and a leader in the Young Survivor Coalition. She lives in Ankeny with her husband, Jordan, and brings her love for community, design, and resilience into everything she does.
Contact Info:
Website | https://homefurnishingsiowa.com/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/HomeFurnishings
