Is Staging a House Worth the Cost? How Staging Can Boost Your Home’s Value
Why Home Staging Inspires the Best Prices in Any Housing Market
The housing market has been volatile, with a combination of a housing shortage and high buyer demand. Whether your market is still seeing rapid sales or experiencing some softening, home staging remains crucial for getting the best price.
What Home Staging Does to Your Selling Price
Staging is the process of preparing a home to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers. The right staging can push your property into a higher price point and make buyers fall in love the moment they step inside. It transforms empty spaces into welcoming, relatable environments where buyers can picture their lives unfolding.
Research shows that staged homes often sell for $40,000 above their list price, with an average of nine days fewer on the market than unstaged homes. According to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), investing just 1.3% of the home’s value in staging can yield a return of up to 7.1% over list price.
Why Buyers Bid Higher for Staged Homes
Why is staging so effective? Staging combines design expertise, market research, and strategic furniture placement to make a home feel like a buyer’s dream. Staged homes appeal to buyers’ emotions, enhancing both architectural features and functional spaces. By showcasing a home’s potential, staging enables buyers to imagine their life there and encourages higher bids.
Staging Shows Your Home’s Best Features
Consider the difference: staging can transform an ordinary space into something extraordinary. It emphasizes the home’s unique features, from sleek furniture placement that highlights architectural lines to thoughtful décor that fosters a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Through professional staging, homes often go from “one of many” to “one-of-a-kind.” Buyers will see beyond the current state of the home and visualize themselves living there.
Staging Reduces Seller Stress
Selling a home can be stressful. Deciding on the right furniture arrangements, color schemes, and décor items can feel overwhelming. Professional stagers alleviate this stress. They’re trained to make decisions that showcase the home’s strengths, reducing uncertainty and ensuring your home stands out.
Staging Helps Buyers Envision the Home
The key to successful staging is helping buyers envision their own lives in the space. Whether it’s placing a family-sized dining table in the right spot or creating inviting living room setups, staging helps buyers mentally move in. The transformation from an empty house to a vibrant home makes it easier for them to see the possibilities.
Who Should You Hire?
While some homeowners may consider staging their homes themselves, it’s not always easy to replicate the impact a professional stager can provide. Many stagers are members of professional associations like RESA, ensuring they have the right skills and knowledge to add value to your home.