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Meridith Baer Home: Meridith Baer. She Started Over at 50 and Put Home Staging on the Map.

by Guy Raz | Wondery

How I Built This with Guy Raz

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This episode is titled:

Meridith Baer Home: Meridith Baer. She Started Over at 50 and Put Home Staging on the Map.

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Notable Quotes

"I think we all are capable of reinventing ourselves. We're not stuck doing the same thing we've always done."
"I learned to say yes. Yes, I can. And then I'd figure out if I really wanted to or if I could."
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Episode Summary

In this episode of How I Built This, host Guy Raz interviews Meredith Baer, the founder of Meredith Baer Home, a leader in the home staging industry. The conversation begins with Baer’s life journey which includes her unique upbringing, having lived on the grounds of San Quentin prison, her tumultuous experiences in Hollywood as a screenwriter, and her transition into real estate.

Frustrated at 50 with her screenwriting career, Baer inadvertently discovered home staging while decorating her rental property. This led to a realization about the vacant homes and their need for staging to sell them effectively. With her artistic sensibility, she began staging homes, which quickly turned into a business that complemented the rise of online home listings.

As her business grew, Baer navigated various challenges and opportunities, including the 2008 financial crisis that changed market dynamics, prompting her to explore different niches within the industry. Meredith Baer Home eventually expanded exponentially, servicing numerous clients, including high-profile celebrities, and became a forerunner in the home staging market, with warehouses across states and a team of hundreds.

The conversation delves into her philosophy of staging homes, the aesthetic choices she makes, and how those appeal psychologically to potential buyers. Through candid reflection, Baer shares that her journey is a testament to reinvention, illustrating that success can indeed be built at any stage of life, blending luck with hard work.

Key Takeaways

  • Meredith Baer transformed her career from screenwriting to home staging, creating a successful business.
  • Staging homes can significantly increase their selling price and appeal to potential buyers.
  • The home staging industry evolved with technology, especially with the rise of online real estate listings.
  • Successful business growth often requires navigating external challenges, such as economic downturns.

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