Why Staging a Home Is So Important

When selling a home, buyers may notice a difference between a staged home and an unstaged home. But is the process actually worth it? Does staging yield any actual (read: monetary) results? 

The short answer is yes! We think staging makes a significant difference when selling your home, as it has the potential to decrease the amount of time your home spends on the market and can result in a higher offer. 

There are several ways to stage a home, from hiring a professional staging company to staging your home virtually. Or you might stage your home yourself, utilizing your own or borrowed furniture and depersonalizing your space as much as possible. However you plan to stage, know that your efforts are not in vain! 

And if you’re on the fence, here are just a few benefits of staging that might convince you. 

It Helps Potential Buyers Visualize Themselves in Your Space 

This is perhaps the most often-used reasoning in the argument for staging a home — and for good reason. A staged home helps potential buyers visualize themselves in your space, as they can get a glimpse of how they might use each of the different rooms, from the office to the playroom and living room to the finished basement. In fact, a 2019 National Association of Realtors study on home staging reported that 83 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. This piece is why it’s important to de-personalize your space, removing family photos and other personal items. Plus, a staging company will often add neutral furniture and décor that appeals to the masses, steering clear of an obscure style that limits your buyer options. 

It Can Increase the Value of Your Home 

Sure, staging is not free — and in some cases, not exactly cheap. But when you crunch the numbers and consider the chance for a higher offer, the answer is simple: staging has the potential to help increase the value of your home. In that same study done by NAR in 2019, 22 percent of sellers’ agents reported an increase of 1-5 percent of the dollar value offered by buyers, compared to similar unstaged homes. And 17 percent of respondents said that staging a home actually increased the dollar value by 6–10 percent. Numbers like 5 percent may not feel like a lot, until you realize that 5 percent of a $500,000 home is $25,000. 

Staging Helps Property Photos Stand Out Online 

These days, especially in the wake of a pandemic, online presence is everything when it comes to real estate marketing. Simply put, a staged home is undeniably more photogenic than an unstaged one. And in the age of Instagram and online searching, photos make a first impression before a potential buyer even has the opportunity to step through the front door. If you’re relying heavily on photos to sell your home, you might consider staging your home virtually. Virtual staging allows you to completely customize the furniture palette — without a staging company having to step foot in your home! With no furniture to move in and out, this makes for an especially smooth transition. 

It Can Shorten the Length of Time Your Home is on the Market 

In addition to the potential for an increased offer, staging has the potential to shorten the length of time your home spends on the market. And if you think about it, that’s money saved, too! A study from the Real Estate Staging Association found that staged homes spend 72% less time on the market. Buyers are just more likely to make a quick offer on a home that looks attractive and feels ready for move-in. Plus, the longer a home stays on the market, the more the price drops — either with an actual price decrease or with lower offers. 

Staging Demonstrates a Home’s Potential 

Regardless of how you personally used a space, staging has the power to offer a glimpse of potential for potential buyers. For example, maybe you used a fourth bedroom as a storage area or a space with gym equipment, electronics or other unattractive gear. Consider transforming it into a guest bedroom through staging, which will help prospects imagine their friends and family staying there when they visit. Or turn it into a playroom to inspire those with young children. Staging helps create meaning out of otherwise empty rooms. 

It Can Make a Space Feel Bigger 

Believe it or not, a room with furniture can feel larger than an empty room. This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s true! An empty room provides no spatial context, whereas a furnished room allows potential buyers to understand the dimensions of furniture in relation to the room size. It’s hard for people to imagine how much room a king-sized bed might take up, and they may think they’ll need a much larger bedroom than they actually do. Similarly, they can compare the size of a dining room table or sofa in relation to their own furniture to make sure it will all fit nicely. 

You’re Going to Pack Up Anyway 

This is a minor detail, but worth noting. You’ll need to pack up your home whether or not you decide to stage your home, so why not do it sooner rather than later? Before a staging company brings in their furniture, you’ll need to have the entire home cleared of furniture, décor and other personal belongings. This streamlines your process and makes it easier on moving day, as most of the packing will already be done!