Furniture stores sets the stage for growth

Sarasota high-end used furniture storeowner Mari Morton seeks to capitalize on the rebound in the housing market with a twist for real estate agents.

Now, in addition to providing staging furniture to help sell a property, Morton's store, Iverson's Furniture, will buy the entire contents of a home after a sale. “We'll clean it out, move it out and hand you a check,” says Morton in a statement. “We'll make it easy for you.”

Morton tells Coffee Talk the idea for the service stems from thinking about how to handle the summer business slowdown. She also says she's heard from several local real estate agents who say they have clients who want to sell their furniture quickly after a deal closes. Says Morton: “This really helps people out.”