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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 3, 2017
Throughout the past five years, Pittsburgh’s real estate market has remained a focal point of growth and investment opportunity. While other cities had to recover from the hit to the economy of the last decade, Pittsburgh weathered the storm and is positively thriving with possibility and innovation. That growth has attracted new residents to the city, most notably Pittsburgh’s flourishing creative class — a demographic that The Pittsburgh Technology Council reported was growing at 14 times the national rate in 2012, and is anticipated to grow a total of 13 percent from 2012 to 2020.
The nexus of the flourishing markets has revealed a new opportunity for local Pittsburgh resident, Heather Visnesky: home staging and styling, with a KonMari twist.
Visnesky founded Abode PGH, a home staging and styling company, in 2014, after her Realtor and close friend, Marissa Fogel, suggested that home staging would be a perfect marriage for many of her interests. After selling her own home in just 18 hours, Visnesky started researching what it would take to start her own staging business. After a successful fundraising campaign with Kiva Zip Pittsburgh, Visnesky was in business. Visnesky staged her first client within days of being funded, and when the house sold in just under two days, she knew she was onto something. Additionally, in December 2016, Visnesky traveled to San Francisco to train with Marie Kondo, author of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and her team. Visnesky has incorporated many of the principals of the KonMari MethodTM into aspects of her staging and styling, as well as offering in-home Tidying Sessions with private clients.
Visnesky’s unique style can be described as both vintage and modern, Scandinavian inspired, and eclectic. She focuses on choosing pieces that will highlight the possibilities of a property, while also selling an ideal lifestyle.
This past year, Visnesky saw a 60 percent client increase from the year before, and anticipates 2017 to grow nearly 140 percent, compared to last year. Her clients range from local residents, to eateries, to network shows. In 2015, Visnesky’s work was featured on the cover of Pittsburgh Magazine Home, and most recently, Visnesky’s work was featured in HGTV’s pilot, Steel City Rehab, where she curated an eclectic mix of modern and vintage staging to create a show-stopping reveal.
“It’s exciting to be part of the renaissance that is happening here in Pittsburgh. The market here is so healthy as a result of the influx of new ideas, businesses, and people. I’ve been so grateful for the positive response to my work, and I’m excited to help shape the evolving aesthetic of Pittsburgh,” said Visnesky.
However, Visnesky’s work goes beyond the private walls of Pittsburgh homes. Visnesky’s home staging for Pittsburgh properties also contributes to the pace and health of the real estate market.
“Heather helps us command higher sale prices and less time on market for our clients. She knows how to take an interior environment from ho-hum to must-have. She’s hands down the premier home stager and stylist in the Pittsburgh region,” said Realtor and founder of INHABIT Real Estate Collective, Dani Gundlach.
Visnesky anticipates this summer as her busiest yet.
“The beauty of Pittsburgh right now is that we can make this city what we want it to be — inside and outside of our homes,” said Visnesky.
About Abode PGH:
Abode was founded in 2014 by Heather Visnesky and is a full service home staging and styling company serving the Pittsburgh area. Abode provides pre-listing consultations, partial and full home staging, and styling for residential and commercial spaces. Abode embraces a simple, modern, eclectic style by combining new and vintage pieces to create clean, fresh, inviting spaces. Each home is thoughtfully staged to sell quickly and at the highest possible price.
Website: www.abodepgh.com
Instagram: @abodepgh
Facebook: www.facebook.com/abodepgh
Media Contact: Jocelyn S. Lai
Phone: 512.658.1737
Email: jocelyn@abodepgh.com
