Carl Dismukes has infused Coastal Stagedesigns, his home staging and design business, with award-winning design concepts. The International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) recognized in his first year that they had a Rising Star. Since then, Carl has been lauded for Excellence in his craft and for his client care, among other accolades.
One of the more exciting projects for him has been the HGTV show called “Beachfront Bargain Hunt”! By the time this magazine goes to press, he will debut as a television designer for a local property featured on the show. What really matters is how this recognition reflects the value he brings to his clients - real estate agents and homeowners.
In 2021, Carl won two important awards that highlight his results - “Best Vacant Luxury Price” and “Best Vacant Regular Price”. Simply put, Carl does home staging right, drawing higher prices and faster selling times. His craft as a whole improves property marketability, but in the staging community, Carl is the best in several ways.
So, how does this work? Carl warehouses a stunning collection of curated furniture and design elements waiting for him to descend on a vacant property and make it tug at the heartstrings of the most logical buyer. The property goes from an empty shell to a welcoming embrace that helps the buyer to visualize coming home to a property or arriving after a long drive for a great, coastal vacation.
He brings in stylish furniture and tasteful touches, such as florals, books, and centerpieces. These elements are not driven by the seller’s tastes, but by Carl’s unique mix of deep design experience - over thirty years as a design professional - and proven principles reinforced through his active membership with IAHSP and the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA). He makes each property stand out from the crowd, each carefully designed to attract broad appeal.
A few statistics from Bay County’s real estate market serve as an example of the tangible benefits of home staging. They are significant. First, consider CPAR’s reported average days on the market for all properties. Staged homes are on the market only 27 days, compared to the 74 day average for all properties. As far as the selling price goes, sellers were thrilled to enjoy an increase averaging $7,710 per house sold in the $300,000 range.
Carl started his long career as a Graphic Designer at a printing company. There, he moved from holding a role as a designer to management. By the 90’s, he found himself working for WorldCom. This company was a high-profile telecom company but collapsed in 2002 due to accounting scandals. Carl stayed on while the company moved through bankruptcy and eventual purchase by Verizon. When Carl first moved to Florida, he worked as a full-time remote Brand Manager responsible for advertising, trade shows, and product naming. When the company consolidated the function back into a physical office in New Jersey, Carl decided he would stay in Florida.
He entered the world of real estate but immediately set his eye on home staging. His broker introduced him to the staging certification process to pin credentials on his already well-honed design instincts.
He was told long ago that selling a home is a financial decision until a home is staged. Then it becomes emotional and people exclaim, “I love this house!” and will make a higher offer based on fear of missing out. And, that is really what Coastal Stagedesigns does through its Design Principle, Carl Dismukes. It makes buyers fall in love with your property, making yours the one they remember and the property for which they save their best offer.
Selling a home is a financial decision until a home is staged. Then it becomes emotional.