By Jenelle Etzel, December 1, 2025
In a world where selling a house can feel like a rush to hit the market, Andee Zeigler reminds us: sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is slow down, organize, and orchestrate. In this episode of Open House: Everyday Excellence, Andee — the listing‑prep specialist for one of our top‑performing teams at Living Room Realty — shares how thoughtful prep, smart scheduling, and design intention turn listings into homes that sell.
What a Listing Prep Specialist Actually Does
From the moment a client commits to list, Andee takes over. She handles everything from paperwork to physical prep — and all the big aesthetic decisions in between. But this isn’t just fluff. By specializing in prep, she gives each listing top-tier attention, removing the burden from sellers and giving them space to breathe.
As Andee puts it: “Clients get my A‑game every time. I’m not burned out; I’m giving my best ideas and attention to every listing.” That kind of consistency brings calm and clarity to what can otherwise be a chaotic time.
Why “All‑in‑One Agent” Is So Overrated
Early in her career, Andee did it all — sales, buying, listing, staging, marketing. But the breakdown between buyer‑agent work and listing prep felt real. She discovered that trying to do everything meant doing nothing really well.
Specializing allowed a division of labor that benefits everyone: clearer lanes, better communication, and consistently strong results. As she says, trusting someone else to manage this part of the process isn’t a compromise — it’s smart service.
The Prep Process — How She Doesn’t Miss a Detail
Once the listing appointment is done, Andee gets to work with the initial photos, a walk‑through, and a clear understanding of budget and timeline. There’s a thoughtful strategy behind every decision:
-
What improvements will yield the biggest return on investment
-
Which vendors to schedule and when
-
How to balance what’s “Instagram‑worthy” with what’s honest and market‑ready
For clients, that means no decision fatigue — just results. And for vendors, it means respect, clarity, and longevity. Andee treats contractors as collaborators, nurturing relationships with consistent communication and consideration.
Staging with Purpose — Picture It, But Realistically
What sets apart a good listing from a great one? In Andee’s eyes, it’s staging that feels cohesive, intentional, and true to the home — not a forced “show‑home” vibe.
She considers buyer demographic, the era and architecture of the house, and how photos will be taken. She balances aesthetics with honesty: no overselling, no false promises — just a real space elevated with intention. When budgets are limited, she adjusts — sometimes staging small condos herself with curated furnishings.
Core Listing Prep Tips from Andee
If you’re getting ready to list, here are the prep must‑dos she recommends:
-
Condition first. Fix anything that could be a deal breaker for buyers or create financing issues.
-
Paint + lighting = big impact. Even modest homes shine with fresh paint and thoughtful lighting.
-
Curb appeal matters. The exterior sets an expectation before buyers even step inside.
-
Don’t skip the vendor relationships. Good, trusted contractors make smooth work, and investing in respectful partnerships pays off long‑term.
Making Real Estate More Human
Selling a home isn’t just about the sale — it’s a big life change. And often, that means stress, uncertainty, and emotional weight. By handling the prep, Andee frees sellers from the overwhelm. She gives them back mental space to focus on what really matters: the decisions that shape their next chapter (offers, timelines, their future).
As she puts it, “Listing prep is a renovation for your life. It’s not just about paint and staging — it’s about creating calm when a big decision is on the line.”
Who This Episode is For
-
Homeowners thinking about listing soon and wanting to understand the prep process
-
Real estate agents who feel stretched thin and are curious about specialization or building a team
-
Anyone looking to see behind the scenes: staging, prep, scheduling, and vendor coordination
Why It Matters
Slow, deliberate prep isn’t extra — it’s essential. In a real estate market that often feels chaotic and fast-moving, having a calm, experienced professional pay attention to details can make the difference between a quick sale and weeks on the market.
At Living Room Realty, we believe a home is more than a listing number. It’s a house with history, with potential — and with heart. When you approach it with intention, respect, and a little strategy, it doesn’t just sell. It shines.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Open House: Everyday Excellence with Andee Zeigler now — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.
Jenelle Etzel
President & Owner, Licensed Broker OR
She/Her
What does being lead singer and guitar player in a female punk band have in common with starting a real estate company in the middle of a recession? Not many people can answer that question. But when you ask Jenelle Isaacson Etzel founder and CEO of Living Room Realty, there’s no hesitation; where most would see a chasm, she sees a bridge.
For Jenelle, it’s all been about finding a voice—the singular and irrepressible expression of self. Once a quiet, studious, high-school girl growing up in Portland, Jenelle started a punk band after college. She played guitar, wrote cathartic songs, performed, and traveled across country while living out of a van. All that seems light years from the present moment--owning a successful, growing company; serving on boards of civic and philanthropic organizations; enjoying family life with her two young daughters and long-time partner. Still, she uses the same voice now that began to emerge on stage years ago.
Whether it’s business or music, “It’s important to know what your voice is. If it’s true, it will resonate.” Jenelle’s voice, her truth, is about being brave enough to take action without apology, being heard without being exploited, to be energized, constantly problem-solving and refining her skills in the pursuit of building a purpose-driven company. All this requires risk-taking. She’s learned the hard way that she can’t fix everything and that not everyone will share her vision. But even as she explains the difficult choices she’s faced, Jenelle radiates joy.
“It’s never okay to play small,” she says with conviction. And this, more than anything, is what she strives to impart to other women, empowering them to pursue their passion whole-heartedly and to be leaders who speak with their own unique, unapologetic voice.
Living Room Realty, founded in 2009, offers residential, commercial, and property management services. Living Room ranks in the top 15 real estate companies in Oregon, with more than 110 affiliated broker-agents. For more information, visit www.livingroomre.com.
Noted Achievements: First west coast real estate office to receive B Corp status • Top Workplaces, 2014-2016 • 100 Best Workplaces in Oregon 2017 • 100 Best Green Companies 2017 • Oregon Business in Ethics Awards in 2014 • Jenelle has been featured in The Portland Monthly, Oregon Business, and REALTOR® Magazine • Portland Business Journal 40 under 40 Business Leaders • Board of Directors, Rock n Roll Camp for Girls, receiving 2015 award for creative philanthropy • Board Member, Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Network, Portland chapter • Orchid Award recipient for Business and Civic Contributions • Guest speaker: OPB’s Think Out Loud, Investor Beat, Cascadia Green Building Council • Advocate speaking on behalf of Benefit Corporation legislation with Oregon Secretary of State, Kate Brown
Read More
- jenelle@livingroomre.com
