How Shannon Comstock Markets Luxury Homes Differently in Reno, Nevada

Most agents list a home and wait. That's not a marketing strategy. That's hope.

In Reno's current luxury market, hope doesn't close deals. A well-executed plan does. And the difference between a home that sells in two days with multiple offers and a home that sits for 90 days usually comes down to one thing: how it was prepared and marketed before it ever hit the MLS.

Here's exactly how I approach it differently.

The First Impression Happens Before Anyone Walks Through the Door

Buyers in Washoe County right now are not in a rush. This isn't the Covid market. They're not grabbing whatever is available. They're studying the comps, watching the neighborhoods they want, and waiting for the right opportunity. When it shows up, they move fast. When it doesn't feel right, they move on.

That means your home has to earn their attention at every single step.

The first impression is the listing photos. The second is curb appeal and the front porch. The third is the moment they walk in the door. Buyers decide within about 30 seconds whether they like a home. I've had buyers pull up to a property and tell me they don't even want to go inside. Curb appeal is not optional.

As I cover in my book, Selling Your Washoe County Home: The Secrets to Maximum Success, preparation before the home hits the market is where the sale is won or lost. Most agents skip this part. I don't.

Staging: Even a Little Changes Everything

If a full stage isn't in the budget, we do a partial. If the home is vacant, we do virtual staging at a minimum. I will not let a home go to market empty if I can help it.

Here's why. Buyers have a hard time imagining what an empty room looks like furnished. They also struggle to look past loud paint colors or bold design choices that reflect the previous owner's personality rather than their own. You would be surprised how much a bright accent wall can slow down a sale. Buyers are taking their time right now. They can afford to pass.

The homes I partially stage sell faster. I've tested this. I like to create a place where buyers can sit, look around, and feel what it's like to live there. It changes how they experience the home. Some agents will argue with me on this. That's fine. The results speak for themselves.

Recently I partially staged a home in Northwest Reno. The sellers had done everything right. They took their time preparing the home, cleaned it thoroughly, and handled every small detail before we listed. We received multiple offers within two days and closed with an all-cash buyer in 15 days.

This is not the Covid market. But when a home is turnkey and priced right, buyers still jump on it. When it's overpriced, it sits. Buyers are savvy. They have access to the same technology we do. They study the comps and they know what a good deal looks like.

That said, not every home needs staging. Some sellers have already created a space that photographs beautifully and shows well on its own. When that's the case, I'll tell you. The goal is never to add staging for the sake of it. It's to make sure nothing stands between a buyer and falling in love with your home.

Scent and Sound Matter More Than You Think

While we're talking about the experience of walking into a home, two things most sellers overlook: scent and sound.

Don't overwhelm a home with fragrance to cover something up. Buyers notice. We're onto that. A home should smell clean and neutral, nothing more.

And if your sellers are playing music to drown out street noise, that's a red flag buyers will catch. These details matter in the luxury segment especially. Buyers at this price point are experienced. They've been in a lot of homes.

Photography: Scrolling Is the First Impression

I spent six years as a professional photographer before I became a real estate agent. My work was published in SkyMall and aired on QVC and HSN. I shot weddings in New York City and Washington D.C. I know what makes an image stop someone mid-scroll.

That background changes how I approach every listing shoot.

Before the photographer arrives, I walk through the entire home looking for anything distracting. Clutter on a counter, a cord hanging from a wall, a personal item that pulls the eye away from the room itself. I handle all of that before the camera comes out.

During the shoot, if I want a specific angle or a particular view captured, I direct it. I know what the camera sees that the eye doesn't. I know how light behaves differently in a lens than it does in person. Most agents show up, hand the photographer a key, and leave. That's not how I work.

If your agent is using a cell phone to photograph your home, that's the moment to find a different agent. In the luxury market, every photo is a marketing decision.

Targeted Marketing Beyond the MLS

Once the home is prepared and photographed correctly, the marketing begins. And the MLS is just the starting point, not the strategy.

I use geo-targeted digital advertising to reach buyers who are already searching for homes in specific Reno neighborhoods and price ranges. That means your home is being shown to qualified buyers, not casual browsers. I build targeted campaigns that reach relocation buyers coming from California and other states, which is a significant portion of Washoe County's luxury buyer pool.

I also use drone photography and video to show properties in context, because in communities like Montreux, ArrowCreek, Galena Forest, Rancharrah, Somersett, and Caughlin Ranch, the setting is part of what buyers are purchasing.

The goal is to create demand before the home even hits the market and to have the right buyers ready when it does.

What This Looks Like for Sellers in Reno

When I take a listing in Reno or Washoe County, here is what sellers can expect:

A walkthrough consultation where we talk through preparation, pricing strategy, and what buyers in your specific neighborhood are responding to right now.

A staging plan, whether partial, full, or virtual, tailored to the home and the budget. Or an honest conversation about why staging isn't needed.

Professional photography directed by someone who has spent years understanding how images create emotion and drive action.

A digital marketing campaign built to reach qualified buyers, not just generate impressions.

Clear communication throughout the process so you always know where things stand.

I have been doing this in Northern Nevada since 2014. I know these neighborhoods because I live in them. I grew up on Lake Tahoe and have lived in Reno's Southwest since 2013. When I tell a buyer what it's like to live in Newlands Historic District or what makes Somersett different from every other master-planned community in Northern Nevada, I'm not reading from a brochure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does staging really make a difference in luxury home sales in Reno?
It depends on the home. Some homes photograph beautifully and show well without any staging at all. Others benefit significantly from even a small amount of thoughtful staging. The homes I partially stage sell faster in my experience, and I'll always give you an honest assessment of what your home actually needs.

What makes luxury real estate marketing different from traditional home sales?
Luxury buyers are experienced, patient, and selective. They study the market carefully. That means your home needs professional photography, targeted digital advertising, and a clear strategy from day one. Passive MLS exposure is not enough.

Do you handle staging yourself or hire someone?
It depends on the home and the situation. I personally stage when needed and coordinate professional stagers for larger projects. Either way, every home I list has a staging conversation before it goes to market.

Why does photography matter so much in luxury real estate?
Scrolling through listing photos is the first impression a buyer gets of your home. A poorly photographed home loses buyers before they ever schedule a showing. I have a professional photography background and I direct every shoot personally.

How do you reach buyers who are relocating to Reno from out of state?
Through geo-targeted digital advertising built to reach buyers in California and other high-migration states who are actively searching for luxury homes in Northern Nevada. Relocation buyers are a major segment of the Washoe County luxury market.

What neighborhoods in Reno do you specialize in?
I work with luxury sellers across Montreux, ArrowCreek, Rancharrah, Galena Forest, Somersett, Caughlin Ranch, Old Southwest Reno, Newlands Historic District, Sterling Ranch, and surrounding Northern Nevada communities.

Shannon Comstock is a Reno, Nevada real estate agent helping luxury buyers and sellers navigate life transitions with clarity, strategy, and a genuinely personalized approach.

📞 775.842.2000
📧 [email protected]
🌐 shannoncomstock.com
📍 1401 S Virginia Street, Suite 100, Reno, NV 89502

Shannon Comstock is a licensed REALTOR® in the state of Nevada, License S.175542, with RE/MAX Gold.