Episode Details

Plants, Flowers, and Real Estate with Stacey

Katy sent one email to the Hustle Humbly list about being a realtor plant lady. Stacey responded. And here we are.

Stacey is a listener, a realtor, a former florist, former chamber of commerce director, and someone who worked on a tulip farm in the Pacific Northwest. She comes from a family of florists and plant people, and she got into real estate two and a half years ago. Katy also comes from a long line of florists. Alissa had a bunch of plants named after people and her dog Dante ate them all. This is the episode.

This one is a little different — it is genuinely fun, deeply practical, and has more useful information about how to use plants in your real estate business than you might expect.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

- How Stacey's background in florals and events has parallels with real estate — both involve being present at the emotional transitions of people's lives - Using seasonal potted plants at the front door for open houses and showings — the immediate impact of fresh mums at the curb - How to use plants inside for staging: creating focal points, drawing eyes away from problem areas, adding warmth and depth to flat-looking listing photos - Matching plants to the architecture of the home — a contemporary home wants clean simple leaves, not big blooming arrangements, and a Tuscan-style home wants something opulent - The baby's breath and dyed mom incident (and why grocery store flowers are not staging flowers) - The case for philodendron leaf cuttings in a vase of water — they last 6-8 weeks, need zero maintenance, and they're free if you grow them in your yard - How to curb appeal with plants: fresh mulch, welcome mats, seasonal pots, removing dead hanging baskets, grouping plants in threes, and never planting too close to the foundation - Why less is more with outdoor landscaping — buyers need to see the house, not the flower bed - What sellers attached to their plants should do before listing: take cuttings, take photos, negotiate to remove sentimental plants, don't drive by the old house two years later - Gifting plants in your real estate business: closings, lenders, escrow officers, the other agent, buyers moving into a sea of boxes - Why succulents are a perfect realtor gift — no calories, no dietary restrictions, nearly no maintenance - How to find a reputable local florist in a town you don't know (skip the wire services, skip the ads, find the map pins, say "designer's choice") - Bringing your own branded containers to the florist — pots with your logo or a pick with your branding - Sending flowers to someone's workplace vs. their home — the office makes everyone ask "who sent you those?" - Partnering with your local nursery for pop bys, client events, and wreath-making classes - How plants affect property values: the neighbor's yard, community gardens, parks, tree canopies, and why understanding water drainage matters - Rain gardens and controlling runoff — and the importance of knowing how water moves through your yard before you plant - Why you should wait one year before planting anything in a new yard - Trees: what to consider before planting — shade vs. blooming vs. fruiting, how deep the roots go, and whether the species is pretty at every age - The tulip farm metaphor for real estate: you plant the bulb, you don't see anything for months, and then all of a sudden it blooms - The Slow Flowers movement and buying locally grown flowers vs. imported ones - Horticulture psychology: why touching, smelling, and being around plants reduces anxiety, encourages creativity, and grounds people - Client event idea: wreath-making class or succulent workshop with a local florist or nursery - Why you shouldn't let flowers overwhelm a space — one piece per wall, let the house sell itself

Toast of the week goes to Katrin Crum, toasted by Stacey — her managing broker, mentor, and the person who took her out to dinner