Selling your house this season? You’ve probably heard that staging is a must before you list. But what does that actually involve, and is it really worth the time and effort?
The short answer is “yes”, especially in today’s market.
With more homes on the market this year, you’re probably wondering how to get top dollar without your house lingering too long. That’s where staging comes in. It helps your home stand out, attract stronger offers, and sell more quickly. As Nadia Evangelou, Principal Economist at the National Association of Realtors, explains:
““Staging matters. Preparing the home to be ‘buyer-ready’ attracts more buyers, especially now that inventory has increased.”
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Here’s what staging really looks like and how it can make a difference when you sell.
What Is Home Staging?
Home staging is all about getting your house ready so it appeals to as many buyers as possible. That usually means clearing out clutter, giving everything a deep clean, rearranging furniture, and adding a few simple touches to make each room feel bright, open, and inviting.
The goal is to help buyers connect with the space and imagine themselves living there, which makes them more likely to put in an offer.
Why Staging Is Worth the Effort
Staged homes tend to do better on just about every key measure when you’re selling. According to Redfin, they can sell up to 73% faster than homes that aren’t staged. In many cases, they even close in under a month, while vacant homes often take two to three months.
There’s also a solid return on the money you put into it.
The Home Staging Institute says that mid-level staging can bring a return on investment of around 350%. On a $400,000 home, that means spending about $4,000 on staging could translate into roughly $18,000 more in value when you sell, as shown in the graph below.
By that estimate, that’s roughly an extra $14,000 in potential profit, which can make a real difference when you’re looking to maximize what you take home at closing.
Your Staging Options
And if that $4,000 upfront cost has you thinking you’d rather skip staging altogether, here’s something worth knowing.
Staging doesn’t always mean bringing in a full crew or renting a bunch of furniture. There are actually a few different ways to do it, depending on your budget and how much time you have. So you can spend less and still see a really good return.
Here are a few options you can consider.
Professional staging is when a stager takes care of everything from layout to décor and often brings in their own furniture and accessories. According to the Home Staging Institute, this usually costs anywhere from $500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the size of your home.
Virtual staging is another option where furniture and design elements are added digitally to your listing photos, which can be a more affordable choice, especially for vacant homes.
DIY staging is the most budget-friendly route. If your home just needs some light updates, things like decluttering, deep cleaning, and arranging furniture in a way that improves flow can still make a big impact.
Your agent can help you decide which approach works best for your home, your market, and your goals.
Agents see what buyers react to all the time at open houses and showings, so they can give you really practical, personalized advice on what’s worth focusing on and what you can skip.
That way, you can get the most value for your money, no matter what your budget looks like.
Bottom Line
With more homes on the market right now, first impressions really matter. Staging can help your house sell faster and potentially for more money, and there’s an option to fit just about any budget.
If you’re thinking about listing your home, let’s figure out what level of staging makes the most sense for your property and come up with a plan to attract the right buyers.
