Melissa Marro, a Home Staging and Interior Redesign Specialist from Charleston, SC has always had an obsession with decorating and redesign.  "Even as a teenager I had a strange obsession with it.  I would take my graph paper, measure all my furniture and my room and start making scale cutouts of everything trying to see which way it would fit best.  When that didn't work, I would just move everything until I liked it!"  

Marrying young and having three children while her husband was in the Navy she had to learn how to decorate on a budget.  Moving 12 times in 14 years, quickly finding the correct placement for things and more importantly using what you already owned became very important to her.  "There just wasn't money to spend on new things every time we moved.  I wanted the house to look nice, but didn't really have a budget for much more than paint."    

Moving also meant buying and selling homes, lots of them!  Always on a budget and looking out for the bottom line, the homes the Marro family bought were usually the plain or neglected house that could be bought for below market value but had good bones and potential.  The homes were then given great paint jobs, cleaned and staged to sell when the time came.  Every home she put on the market sold quickly and at top dollar.  She realized she had a knack for the job.   

Moving to Charleston in 2004 and working for a real estate company her passion for redesign and staging took off and she decided to make it her life's work.  Now owning her own company called First Impressions, Home Staging & Interior ReDesign, she does what she loves.  "It's very gratifying at the end of the day.  People's lives are changed.  Home is more about comfort and security.  When there is peace there, people can relax and unwind."

I specialize in Vacant property staging, however I do offer staging services for owner occupied residences as well.  I also offer comprehensive certification courses for both agents and those wishing to become full time Interior Redesigners or Home Stagers.  Please visit my website for further information.

AWARDS -

2007 RESA Professional Stager of the Year nominee

2007 RESA Staging Innovator of the Year nominee

Positions in the Industry -

SC Stage it forward Roundtable Moderator (December 2007)

IRISource editor (Member Newsletter)

SC IRIS Chapter, Southern Flair, President

RESA Regional Vice President Region 8 (Southeast) May 2007 - April 2008

List date 06/18/2006  $819,900                                                                         List date 04/11/2006  $234,900

Staged 09/06/2007                                                                                                  Staged 10/24/2007    

Under contract 10/23/2007                                                                                Under contract  11/08/2007

List date 12/14/2006 $345,000                                                                                        List date 07/02/2006 $374,733

Staged date 08/08/2007                                                                                                     Staged date 07/25/2007

Closed 09/20/2007                                                                                                           Under contract 09/26/2007

To view a sample of our currently staged properties, click here.

"I just want to take a moment and compliment your staging services. As a Realtor with nearly a decade of experience in the business and hundreds of satisfied past clients who refer business to me, I know something about providing exemplary service. Your service definitely lives up to that standard. Your staging flair, responsiveness, and attention to detail has turned a last minute pre-Tour of New Homes distress call into one of the best service experiences I have had in this business. I look forward to developing a long-term working relationship with you."
Dave Sansom, Agent, Prudential Carolina Real Estate

"Thank you for the staging of our model home in Brickhope Greens. It was a pleasure working with you from the initial appointment until the completion of the staging. The furniture that you picked out works perfectly and has allowed home buyers to visualize how nice their new home can look with the right touch. You can really tell a difference when selling new homes how buyers take note of the potential when comparing complete rooms to an empty one. Thanks again and I'll call you on our next project."
Chisolm Walker, Agent, The Cassina Group

This is a team of true professionals that are focused on customer satisfaction and exceeding your expectations with delivery of services. With little notice and under pressure to stage three listings, they worked 24/7 to meet the deadlines. Staging with First Impressions is a savvy investment tool for realtors and sellers in this market. Presentation in marketing of your product and in showings to potential buyers is EVERYTHING. "You only get one chance to make a good impression, so leave a mark and not a stain" Ann Coggiola, Agent, Prudential Carolina Real Estate 

"Melissa was great. She came to our appointment prepared and having already researched the market.  She had good suggestions and we were very pleased with the selections she made"
Michelle Scarafile, Broker Associate, Prudential Carolina Real; Estate.

"Melissa goes above and beyond! She can turn what may appear to be impossible clutter and chaos into organized reality and charm.  Her rooms welcome you the instant you walk in with a clean, crisp, warm feel. Thank you, Melissa for your services."
Pamela Cox, Realtor, Agent Owned Premiere Group

"Melissa is amazing...she was not only professional and artistic, she was able to help my clients re-design their home for very little money and make it look like a show place! Both times I used her, the homes I had listed sold for the highest prices in their neighborhoods per square foot! I can't say enough about her and how much my clients enjoyed working with her!"
Lisa Roettger O'Keefe, Realtor Prudential Carolina Real Estate

"It was a true pleasure working with Melissa.  She is very bright, energetic and creative.  She was always a lot of fun and had toms of great ideas.  She's a true "winner."
Laverna Smith, Broker Associate, Prudential Carolina Real Estate

"Melissa, I went by the unit yesterday and it looks smashing! You've created a "Pottery Barn" feel for the condominium that will help me sell these units.  I honestly feel that your staging will help me sell these condominiums mush quicker and for a higher price.  Truly magical work and the best thing is I didn't have to worry about a thing.  Thanks Melissa."
Tommy Loeber , Agent, Kit Thrash Properties

"Melissa is truly an artist making my vacant new construction listing into a real show piece! The difference was amazing, even to my builder client who was so impressed with the magical transformation.  She totally captured the vision the builder had for each space and made it come alive.  Thanks for your hard work!"
Michele Reneau, Agent, Prudential Carolina Real Estate

"Using First Impression Home Staging and Interior Redesign was the best decision I made in regard to selling a newly constructed townhome in Charleston National.  They took empty rooms and turned them into a showplace with a "welcome home" appeal. They did a wonderful and timely job.  I will definitely use them again when the opportunity arises.  I know this will help to sell this property quicker than if the townhome was left empty. Thanks again, First Impressions, for performing your image."
Marlene Beauston, Agent, Weichert Realtors