Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Avey.
Hi Debbie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My real estate journey began over three decades ago in an unexpected way. While working in retail, I sold luxury skincare to the owner of a major San Diego brokerage. Impressed, he handed me his card and offered to sponsor me into real estate school, saying, “If you can sell a man skincare for a woman you’ve never met, you should be selling homes.” Within weeks, I was on my way.
Fifteen years ago, I launched Stagedhomes Real Estate after earning my broker’s license. Long before staging was popular, we offered it to every client—covering staging, professional cleaning, and window washing to ensure homes looked their absolute best online. Nearly every listing sold the first weekend, and I later cohosted a luxury real estate TV show that reached millions of viewers.
As demand grew, I expanded into Staging Spaces Interiors, providing staging services to other brokerages as well. For me, real estate is about more than sales—it’s about legacy. I often work alongside my daughter Trisha, also a broker, while my youngest daughter, Tenessa, leans toward design and staging. My son, Travis, runs a restoration company.
Being an entrepreneur has its challenges, but the reward is building a business that blends creativity, results, and family legacy. Staged homes don’t just sell faster—they tell a story.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course not—being an entrepreneur rarely is. Much of the journey is trial and error until you find your niche. For me, that niche was offering value-added services, like free professional staging for sellers long before it became an industry standard.
The market also shifts about every decade, and adapting is essential. During the foreclosure crisis, I became a foreclosure and short-sale specialist. More recently, with new zoning laws in California (SB9 and SB10), I’ve helped clients maximize their properties by adding ADUs, junior ADUs, and even guest houses—some of which can now be sold separately without a full lot split.
Technology has transformed real estate as well. When I started, contracts were four-page carbon copies, and negotiations happened in a conference room with buyers and sellers face to face. Today, everything is digital and remote. As brokers, we do all the negotiating on behalf of our clients—long before “remote work” became the norm.
So no, the road hasn’t always been smooth. But every challenge has brought an opportunity to grow, innovate, and better serve clients.
We’ve been impressed with Staged Homes Real Estate, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a real estate broker in North San Diego County and have been selling residential homes in San Diego for over 30 years. Staged Homes Real Estate ranks consistently in the top 5% of brokerage firms nationwide and is proud to be both women-owned and family-operated. What sets us apart is our signature marketing program—providing free professional home staging for every seller, whether the home is big or small, vacant or occupied. We’ve offered staging for over 15 years, long before it became popular, because staged homes sell up to 28% higher and four times faster. In addition to staging, we cover professional cleaning and window washing, then showcase each property with wide-angle photos, drone footage, and even a narrated feature on the luxury real estate show I cohost on Cox and Spectrum—reaching over 30 million viewers. Since 98% of buyers now begin their search online, presentation is everything—and our listings always stand out as “must-see” homes. Beyond marketing, we also specialize in helping buyers navigate zoning laws, ADUs, financing, and income-producing opportunities. At Staged Homes Real Estate, we believe it’s not enough to just put a sign in front of a property; our job is to go above and beyond. That commitment to excellence, innovation, and service is what makes our brand truly five-star.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is creating and building. As an entrepreneur, I’ve had the privilege of starting many companies over the years, and I love the creative process—dreaming up new ideas, solving problems, and weaving marketing and design into each venture. I’m a purpose-driven woman, motivated not only by business success but by the legacy I’m leaving for my children and grandchildren. To me, legacy means more than financial security; it means passing down values like integrity, hard work, and trustworthiness. My faith is central to who I am, and with it comes the blessings of favor, grace, and mercy—gifts that have carried me through challenges and fueled my passion to build with purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stagedhomesrealestate.com
- Youtube: Stagedhomesrealestate
- Other: https://www.stagingspacesinteriors.com
Image Credits
Photos by Tenessa Cavitt
