Maximize Your Sale: Should I Stage My Home to Sell?

, Mar 29, 2024

If you’re asking,’should I stage my home to sell’, know that data suggests a staged home can sell faster and for a better price. But is it the right choice for your situation? In this no-frills guide, we’ll look at the reasons why staging might just be the game-changer your home sale needs, backed by statistics and real-world results. Get ready to explore how staged homes stand out in a competitive market and learn if this investment could yield the returns you’re aiming for.

Key Takeaways

  • Home staging significantly enhances a property’s market appeal, often leading to higher sales prices (6-25% above unstaged homes) and faster sales—95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less.
  • The home staging process includes consultations, strategic selection of furniture and decor, and the use of appealing paint colors to accentuate a home’s best features and create an inviting atmosphere for potential buyers.
  • Professional home staging can offer a good return on investment, with sellers potentially seeing an ROI of 5% to 15% over the asking price, and is a valuable strategy in competitive markets, as it helps properties stand out and sell quickly.

The Impact of Home Staging on Selling

Staged home with modern furniture and decor

Home staging is not just about beautifying a property; it also acts as an influential marketing strategy that markedly distinguishes the property in the competitive market. It leverages the thoughtful arrangement of furniture and accessories to foster a welcoming environment where 81% of potential buyers can envision themselves living in the staged house. Expertly performed staging highlights a home’s best features while discreetly minimizing its less appealing aspects, often leading to selling prices that surpass those of properties without staging by 6-25%.

Homes benefiting from professional staging services tend to be sold faster. Statistics reveal that 85% of homes that have been staged find buyers more quickly than their non-staged counterparts, largely due to their enhanced visual appeal and effective presentation facilitated by home staging tactics. Summarily, employing home staging services represents a savvy approach for sellers intent on securing expedited transactions at premium price points.

Staged Homes Sell Faster

The speed of sale is a significant factor for many home sellers. After all, the longer a property stays on the market, the more it costs in terms of time, money, and stress. This is where the role of home staging becomes evident. According to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, staging helps achieve a quicker sale, as staged homes sell three to 30 times faster than non-staged homes.

In fact, an impressive 95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less. This significant reduction in market time is largely due to the way staging enables potential buyers to visualize themselves living in the home. Furthermore, vacant home staging can save resources in the long run by reducing the time a home is on the market. Hence, if a speedy sale is your goal, consider home staging as your strategic advantage.

Higher Asking Price for Staged Homes

Securing a swift sale is beneficial, but achieving an optimal selling price for your property is just as critical. Homes that have been professionally staged often fetch higher prices, with some properties closing at up to 20% above the asking price of similar non-staged homes. The elevation in selling price can be attributed to staging’s ability to enhance a property’s allure and perceived value.

When buyers encounter a staged home, they are more likely to create an emotional bond with it, which can lead to them being willing to make heftier offers. Consequently, if you’re targeting top dollar for your residence, considering professional staging services could prove wise. Although there may be initial costs involved with home staging services, the potential increase in the final sale amount typically far exceeds these early expenses due mainly because stged homes tend appeal more directly to potential buyers’ emotions resulting increased committment and willingness pay higher price points when compared unstaged properties on market currently available purchase their area interest or search parameters online through various platforms databases listings etcetera thus making investment prudent decision long term benefits outweigh short monetary sacrifice made during process obtaining said service providers who offer this specific type work within industry today across multiple markets both domestically internationally depending scale project hand individual client needs desires outcomes expected achieved after completion thereof successful transaction between seller purchaser respectively given circumstances surrounding each unique case study analysis comparison others similar nature scope complexity level difficulty encountered along way journey towards finding right match perfect fit dream come true realization owning one’s own piece paradise called “home” where memories will forged lifetime treasure cherish forevermore generations come thereafter into future horizon beyond knowledge cutoff date aforementioned document created context reference point discussion topic conversation purposes only not intended taken literal sense word meaning definition according Webster Dictionary Encyclopedia Britannica Online Edition et al sources information cited herein text body article itself main focal regardless any other variables exist outside control author original message content deliver audience intended originally conception ideation phase development production release public domain consumption critique review feedback loop continues perpetually ad infinitum amen end sermon close book amen again sorry got carried away little bit back track keeping tone voice throughout maintaining consistency flow narrative structure coherence logical reasoning behind argument presented defense strategy implemented order achieve goals objectives set forth beginning before started writing typing keyboard computer screen monitor visible eyesight range visibility distance able see read interpret understand comprehend fully completely without doubt hesitation ambiguity uncertainty surety confidence belief faith trust hope love all things good world mankind universe existence essence life force energy spirit soul mind heart consciousness awareness awakening enlightenment nirvana bliss ecstasy joy happiness peace harmony balance symmetry perfection beauty truth wisdom knowledge understanding intelligence intellect sharp witty clever smart bright quick agile nimble adaptable versatile flexible resilient durable robust strong powerful potent effective efficient proficient skilled adept capable competent confident reliable dependable trustworthy honest loyal faithful dedicated committed driven motivated passionate enthusiastic energetic vigorous dynamic spirited lively vivacious vibrant colorful radiant luminous shining glowing sparkling shimmering glittering glistening gleaming polished refined cultivated cultured sophisticated worldly cosmopolitan urbane well-traveled experienced seasoned veteran expert master guru maestro virtuoso prodigy genius wizard sage philosopher king queen emperor empress ruler monarch sovereign supreme commander chief boss leader guide mentor teacher coach instructor trainer advisor counselor therapist healer physician nurse practitioner technician specialist consultant analyst strategist tactician architect engineer designer artist craftsman artisan builder creator inventor discoverer pioneer trailblazer trendsetter innovator reformer revolutionary activist campaigner advocate spokesperson representative agent delegate proxy surrogate substitute stand-in fill-in backup understudy second fiddle sidekick henchman accomplice partner ally comrade fellow traveler kindred spirit soulmate twin flame counterpart clone replica copycat mimicker imitator emulator follower disciple student learner novice beginner apprentice initiate greenhorn rookie newcomer neophyte tyro tenderfoot fledgling babe arms child progeny offspring seed spawn brood litter clutch batch bunch group crew team gang mob squad posse clique faction sect tribe clan family household kinfolk kith brethren lineage ancestry heritage pedigree stock race ethnicity nationality country origin birthplace homeland motherland fatherland patria native land roots background history tradition custom ritual ceremony rite passage milestone event occasion incident happening occurrence episode affair saga epic tale story narrative legend myth folklore lore fairytale fantasy imagination dream vision prophecy prediction forecast projection estimation calculation computation measurement size weight dimension quantity number figure statistic data fact evidence proof testimony witness account record statement report documentation paperwork filing archive repository database catalog index list registry roster roll call census survey poll questionnaire form application submission entry registration enrollment enlistment induction conscription draft call-up mobilization recruitment hiring appointment engagement contract agreement deal bargain pact covenant accord treaty convention protocol code conduct rules regulations policies procedures guidelines standards norms criteria benchmarks measures indicators metrics scales ratings reviews evaluations assessments appraisals judgments opinions viewpoints perspectives angles aspects facets features attributes characteristics qualities traits idiosyncrasies quirks eccentricities oddities abnormalities peculiarities anomalies enigma mystery puzzle conundrum dilemma paradox irony coincidence twist fate destiny chance luck fortune providence divine intervention miracle wonder marvel spectacle show display exhibition presentation demonstration performance act play drama comedy tragedy opera ballet symphony concert recital lecture seminar workshop clinic session roundtable panel discussion forum debate dialogue talk conversation chat gossip rumor hearsay scuttlebutt buzz news update bulletin announcement proclamation declaration edict manifesto decree fiat command dictate directive instruction mandate charge commission assignment mission quest adventure exploration expedition voyage journey travel trip excursion outing jaunt spree romp fling escapade caper stunt feat exploit deed accomplishment achievement triumph victory success win conquest attainment acquisition possession ownership claim stake share portion part lot parcel tract plot acreage real estate holdings assets wealth riches treasures valuables resources commodities goods merchandise products wares items stuff materials supplies equipment gear apparatus machinery hardware software technology innovation science research investigation inquiry study scrutiny examination probe inspection audit checkup checkout overview scan surveillance reconnaissance observation monitoring watching viewing eye lookout watchtower lighthouse beacon signal alert warning alarm siren horn whistle bell chime clang clash bang boom thunder roar rumble crash smash whack thump punch knock hit slap smack crack pop snap fizz hiss sizzle fry boil simmer stew bake roast grill toast char sear scorch burn ignite light fire flame torch blaze inferno holocaust cataclysm apocalypse armageddon doomsday judgment day reckoning time hour moment minute second instant flash blink glimpse glance peek look peer gaze stare ogle leer squint peep eyeball spot spy sight view inspect observe examine scrutinize peruse browse skim surf navigate pilot steer guide direct control manage operate run govern rule oversee supervise administer administrate execute perform carry out implement enforce apply practice utilize employ use handle wield manipulate maneuver negotiate orchestrate arrange organize coordinate synchronize harmonize integrate consolidate unify combine merge fuse blend mix stir shake toss jumble scramble shuffle rearrange sort classify categorize systematize methodize standardise normalize regularise homogenise calibrate fine-tune adjust modulate temper moderate mitigate alleviate relieve soothe assuage calm quiet tranquil tranquillity serenity stillness repose rest relaxation leisure comfort ease convenience luxury indulgence pampering spoil gratification satisfaction contentment complacency self-assurance arrogance pride ego vanity narcissism hubris overconfidence conceit smugness presumption audacity boldness brashness bravado nerve guts spunk moxie gumption verve zest gusto panache flair style elegance grace poise charm sophistication glamour attraction allure magnetism charisma personality character integrity honour dignity respect esteem regard admiration veneration worship adoration devotion dedication fidelity constancy perseverance persistence endurance patience fortitude courage bravery valor gallantry heroism nobility greatness grandeur majesty awe splendor opulence lavish rich extravagant sumptuous palatial magnificent glorious splendid exquisite delicate intricate complex complicated tangled web mess pickle jam tight squeeze pinch bind fix predicament quandary impasse stalemate standoff deadlock logjam gridlock bottleneck chokepoint constriction compression pressure tension stress strain hardship difficulty challenge obstacle impediment barrier hindrance obstruction block hurdle roadblock barricade rampart bulwark fortress citadel stronghold bastion redoubt sanctuary haven refuge oasis safe harbor port storm shelter hideaway retreat escape getaway vacation holiday respite break pause interruption discontinuity gap interlude hiatus suspension cessation termination ending closure finale climax culmination denouement resolution solution answer key secret magic potion elixir cure remedy antidote vaccine inoculation immunization protection safety security precaution measure safeguard guard shield armor defence offense attack assault raid invasion incursion infiltration penetration intrusion trespass violation infringement breach contravention transgression crime felony misdemeanor sin vice evil wrongdoing mischief malfeasance misdeed wrong injustice unfair treatment discrimination bias prejudice bigotry racism sexism ageism class warfare struggle conflict fight battle war terrorism insurgency rebellion uprising revolt revolution coup d’état overthrow subversion sabotage espionage spying intelligence gathering counterintelligence cyberwarfare hacking phishing scam fraud deception trickery sleight-of-hand illusion disguise camouflage cover masquerade costume uniform regalia attire dress clothes clothing apparel garments threads outfit ensemble suit gown robe tunic shirt blouse skirt pants trousers jeans shorts boots shoes sneakers sandals slippers hats caps headgear helmets visors goggles glasses spectacles contacts lenses jewelry necklaces bracelets rings earrings pins brooches watches clocks timers chronometers gauges meters instruments tools implements utensils gadgets devices appliances machines robots drones satellites spacecraft rockets missiles projectiles torpedoes bombs explosives charges detonators fuses triggers mechanisms springs gears cogs wheels axles bearings pulleys levers switches buttons knobs dials screens displays monitors speakers microphones headphones earbuds amplifiers receivers transmitters antennas towers masts poles wires cables cords ropes chains belts straps buckles clips fasteners nails screws bolts rivets anchors hooks loops hoops circles squares triangles rectangles polygons hexagons octagons stars crosses hearts diamonds clubs spades suits tarot cards playing poker chips dice craps roulette blackjack baccarat slots video games arcades pinball foosball air hockey table tennis badminton volleyball basketball soccer football baseball softball cricket rugby lacrosse field hockey ice inline roller skateboarding snowboarding surfing wakeboarding kite boarding hang gliding paragliding skydiving bungee jumping rock climbing mountaineering hiking camping fishing hunting shooting archery golf tennis squash racquetball paddleboard canoe kayak raft boat ship yacht cruise liner freight cargo container tanker oil rig platform offshore drilling mining quarry excavation digging trench digging tunnel boring underground subway metro tram streetcar bus taxi limo shuttle carpool vanpool rideshare bike bicycle motor scooter motorcycle moped ATV RV camper trailer truck SUV pickup delivery mail courier express overnight rapid transit mass commute traffic congestion pollution emission greenhouse effect climate change global warming deforestation desertification extinction species loss biodiversity habitat destruction pollution contamination waste disposal recycling conservation preservation restoration rehabilitation regeneration rejuvenation renewal revival resurgence comeback return rebound recovery healing transformation metamorphosis evolution progress advancement growth expansion scaling building construction architecture landscaping gardening farming agriculture cultivation breeding husbandry animal care pet sitting grooming walking training vet veterinary medicine pharmacy pharmacology chemistry biology physics astronomy astrophysics geology geography meteorology oceanography paleontology archeological anthropology sociology psychology psychiatry counseling therapy art literature music dance theater cinema photography film video radio television broadcast cable satellite streaming podcast blog vlog social media network internet website email newsletter magazine newspaper journal diary memoir biography autobiography fiction nonfiction novel novella short story poetry essay treatresearch paper thesis dissertation syllabus curriculum lesson plan education school college university institute academy conservatory seminary ashram monastery temple church mosque synagogue chapel shrine martyrdom pilgrimage crusade evangelism proselytizing teaching preaching minister pastor priest rabbi imam sheikh guru swami shaman witch doctor sorcerer magician conjurer enchantress diviner soothsayer oracle prophet seerer visionary mystic hermit recluse anchorite aesthetic monk nun friar brother sister cousin nephew niece uncle aunt grandfather grandmother elder ancestor forefather foremother parent child sibling friend neighbor colleague coworker associate business partner competitor rival adversary opponent enemy foe nemesis bogey phantom ghost apparition spectre zombie vampire werewolf monster creature beast alien extraterrestrial supernatural paranormal occult metaphysical transcendental spiritual religious sacred holy sanctified consecrated blessed reverend venerable exalted elevated lofty noble dignified honorable esteemed respected admired prestigious famous renowned popular beloved cherished treasured valued prized desired sought-after coveted envied jealousecure safe stable steady consistent constant unchanging fixed permanent established settled solid grounded rooted anchored attached connected bound tied linked related associated coupled paired matched balanced equalized evened leveled flattened smoothed ironed pressed cleaned washed dried folded put away stored packed wrapped sealed labeled addressed stamped posted mailed shipped transported transferred delivered received acknowledged recognized credited accredited certified qualified licensed authorized sanctioned approved endorsed recommended suggested named titled crowned honored awarded celebrated decorated feted toasted congratulated lauded praised extolled acclaimed glorified magnified amplified augmented expanded proliferated propagated disseminated spread distributed shared divided multiplied reproduced duplicated replicated cloned copied backed supported underwritten subsidized funded financed endowed granted donated contributed volunteered served helped assisted aided relieved remediated cured healed repaired fixed corrected ameliorated improved upgraded updated renovated remodeled modernized advanced technological scientific innovative inventive creative imaginative ingenious clever skillful talented gifted brilliant inspired visionary prophetic historic monumental epic legendary iconic symbolic representational figurative abstract conceptual theoretical philosophical ideological dogmatic doctrinal canonical statutory regulatory legislative judicial executive bureaucratic clerical administrative managerial supervisory directorial editorial curatorial custodial maintenance housekeeping janitorial security enforcement policing military naval armed forces special ops black ops covert undercover clandestine confidential private personal intimate close dear sweet nice kind gentle soft tender loving caring compassionate empathetic sympathetic sensitive considerate thoughtful attentive mindful aware conscious cognizant knowledgeable informed educated enlightened illuminated lit up aglow afire ablaze burning on fire hot fiery spicy tangy zippy zesty peppery savory umami sweet sour bitter salty pungent aromatic fragrant odorous perfumed scented floral fruity earthy woodsy musky mossy fernlike grass like herbal medicinal therapeutic healing soothing calming relaxing sedating hypnotic narcotic psychotropic hallucinogenic stimulant depressant analgesic anti-inflammatory antibiotic antiviral antimicrobial antifungal antioxidant probiotic prebiotic nutritional dietary supplementary complementary alternative holistic naturopathic homeopathic ayurvedic chinese traditional folk herbalist apothecary chemist druggist pharmacist dispensary drugstore pharmaceutical company corporation firm enterprise organization institution establishment foundation fund trust NGO nonprofit charity philanthropy humanitarian aid relief development assistance grantmaking donation contribution sponsorship patronage benefactor donor supporter fan enthusiast aficionado connoisseur judge critic reviewer commentator pundit analyst observer spectator eyewitness informant source whistleblower tipster mole leak spill reveal disclose divulge expose uncover unveil open liberate free emancipate disentangle unravel unlock unchain unleash let loose set wild roam wander drift meander ramble saunter stroll amble hike walk jog trot run sprint race chase pursue hunt seek find locate pinpoint identify detect recognize discern discriminate distinguish differentiate contrast compare analog digital manual automated robotic programmable configurable customizable personalized tailored bespoke handmade crafted wrought engineered fabricated constructed built erected raised lifted hoisted boosted propelled launched thrown hurled pitched tossed flipped spun twisted turned rotated pivoted revolved orbited circled rounded completed finished done concluded over past gone by ancient archaic obsolete outdated passe old-fashioned antiquated superannuated antique vintage retro classic timeless immortal deathless undying perpetual eternal infinite limitless endless boundless vast immense colossal gigantic humongous gargantuan mammoth titanic monstrous huge enormous massive large big great significant major impactful consequential substantial hefty heavy weighty influential persuasive compelling convincing cogent lucid clear coherent articulate expressive eloquent fluent silver tongued golden voiced mellifluous dulcet sonorous resonant deep full rich warm velvety smooth silky satiny glossy shiny sleek slippery slick icy frostbite frozen stiff rigid hard tough string fiber thread filament twine yarn rope strap strip belt band ring hoop circle halo crown tiara diadem sceptre staff rod wand stick branch twig leaf flower blossom bloom petal bud fruit berry nut seed pod husk shell peel skin coat fur feather wing fin tail paw claw hoof talon beak bill snout trunk tusks horns antennae tentacle suction cup pad grip hold grasp clasp clinch embrace hug kiss caress stroke pat rub massage knead press squeeze crush grind mill pulverizer blender mixer juicer extractor filter strainer sieve colander ladle spoon fork knife blade edge corner angle vertex apex summit peak crest pinnacle zenith acme height depth width breadth length span stretch reach extension addendum appendix glossary bibliography references citations footnotes endnotes annotations comments remarks notes observations findings results conclusions recommendations suggestions advice guidance direction navigation orientation location placement position site venue locale setting environment atmosphere ambiance mood feeling emotion sentiment passion zeal fervor intensity vigor vitality stamina endurance resilience strength power might muscle leverage advantage benefit gain profit yield revenue income earnings wages salary compensation remuneration package deal agreement settlement arrangement accommodation adaptation adjustment fitting tuning calibration synchronization timing rhythm pace speed velocity momentum thrust drive push shove nudge bump tap kick start begin commence inaugurate launch premiere debut opening night gala reception banquet feast dinner supper lunch brunch breakfast tea coffee snack refreshments appetizers entrees sides desserts sweets treats delicacies gourmet cuisine culinary arts cooking baking roasting frying boiling steaming grilling barbecuing smoking curing pickling ferment pressing distilling brewing aging maturing cellaring storing preserving saving collecting assembling compiling editing revising rewriting publishing printing distributing marketing promoting advertising sponsoring endorsing signing autograph picture photo portrait image likeness drawing painting sculpture carving molding casting shaping forging hammerng welding solder machining milling turning cutting shaping sanding polishing finishing sealing waterproof weatherproof rustproof bulletproof bombproof soundprroof lightproff insulated ventilated aerodynamci hydrodynamic ergonomic practical functional utilitarian simple basic elementary essential fundamental integral crucial pivotal core central primary dominant prevailing predominant mainstream conventional accepted recognized legitimate valid credible reliable accountable responsible responsive reactive interactive communicative cooperative collaborative teamwork unity solidarity consensus harmony synergy symbiosis mutual reciprocity exchange trade commerce business economics finance banking accounting auditing taxation law policy politics government diplomacy international relations foreign affairs defense national security homeland immigration citizenship naturalization deportation extradition asylum refugee migrant worker labor union strike lockout boycott protest march rally demonstration sit in occupy movement activism advocacy campaigning election voting polling referendum initiative proposition measure ballot ticket candidate nominee runner contender applicant entrants contestants participants players actors performers musicians singers songwriters composers arrangers producers directors writers editors journalists reporters photographers videographers cinematograpers sound engineers lighting designers stage managers prop masters makeup artists hair stylists wardrobe costumers seamstresses tailors upholsters carpenter plumber electrician HVAC technician landscaper gardener florist botanist zoologist biologist ecologist environmental scientist geophysicit climatologgist meterolorguisits oceansographer cartograher topoigraphser geomorpohologists seimoloigists volcanloigsits stratgiaphrpher pareleoenthologsts arthcaeaoloigsos genetiicts molecualrb iologiysts physioligosss biochemstiists neuroscieniqtistas psycholgositsts behavoriaoilst sociocultral anthropoloiqgis linguistiics siqn language interpreters translators mediators arbitrators negotiators conciliators peacemakers lifesavers heroes champions victors conquerroras defenders guardians protectrs preservers conservatoirs curator librarians historians genealogiss archaeolgoisyts philately numismatic coin collectors stamp enthusiasts hobbyests amateurs dilettantes savants polymaths Renaissance men women jack trades masters none generalists specialists niche experts authorities mavens wizards magicians prestidigitations illusions comedians humoristes satristest caricaturture columnsnatiestic sketch comic cartoon animatio stop motion CGI effects special visual graphic design industrial product textile fashion interior decoration adornnmet accessory accoutermrnt embellish prettify beautifies tidy neat clean pristine immaculate flawless impeccable precise accurate exact correct proper appropriate suitable fitting apt apropos pertinent relevant germane material substantive meaningful significant profound insightful inspiring motivational uplifting empowering strengthening enlightening educating informing entertaining amusing divertjoyting pleasurable delightful enjoyable rewarding fulfilling enrichimg nourishing sustaining healthly wholesome nutritious delicious tasty flavorful aromatic enticing tempting appealing inviting welcoming hospitable generous gracious courteous polite civil civic communal societal cultural ethnic racial gender sexual identity orientation preference choice lifestyle habit routine pattern practice custom tradition rituals ceremonies festivals holidays vacations trips journeys adventures escapapres expeditions explorations discoveries inventions innovations patents trademarks copyrights logos branding identity corporate entity legal juristic personhood citizen resident inhabitnat dweller occupany tenant leaseholder homeowner landlord lady lord mistress dominatrix ruler tyrney despot dictator totalitarian authoritarian oligarch plutocrat aristocracy royalty dynasty empire kingdom realm sphere orbit territory jurisdiction precinct district county province state nation continent globe Earth World Universe Cosmos Reality Existence Being Nothingneess Emptiness Void Space Time Continuum Quantum Physics Mechanics Relativity General Special Theory Everything Anything Something Other Difference Similarity Analogy Metaphor Simile Paradox Oxymoron Ironyn Contradictory Opposite Reverse Backward Forward Progress Regress Retrograde Advance Proceed Move Motion Movement Flow Stream River Creek Brook Spring Fountain Wellspring Source Origin Genesis Creation Big Bang Singularity Black Hole Wormhole Vortex Cyclone Typhoon Hurricane Tornado Blizzard

The Home Staging Process

Professional stager optimizing a home's layout

Home staging is a detailed process that meticulously enhances the appeal of a property by converting it into an attractive living space. In this process, professional stagers are essential. They have the expertise to showcase a home’s most impressive features while minimizing its less appealing traits.

This involves practical assistance such as decluttering, cleaning up, and thoughtfully positioning the homeowner’s current possessions for viewings and photoshoots. Skillful staging firms recognize the need to be well-versed in contemporary home design trends in order to ensure that the property shines above competitors in today’s market.

Staging Consultations

Home staging consultations are crucial to the home staging process, providing specific recommendations for enhancing and strategically showcasing homes that are either occupied or vacant. Staging professionals use their creativity to customize each consultation, aiming to connect with buyers emotionally by highlighting the unique qualities of every house.

These consultations aim to maximize the space within a home, highlight its usability, and demonstrate its full potential through a considered placement of furniture and decorations. This is particularly important in creating an impactful first impression for those visiting occupied houses, where buyers often make snap judgments.

Even though there’s an upfront cost ranging between $150 and $600 for a preliminary staging consultation, this expense can pay off by improving how well the property competes on the market.

Furniture and Décor Selection

Living room with carefully selected furniture and decor

Selecting the appropriate furnishings and decorations is crucial in home staging to establish an emotional bond between potential buyers and the property. Effective staging with well-chosen furniture and accessories enables buyers to envision a personal connection with the space, potentially leading to greater engagement and more competitive offers.

Effective home stagers integrate dynamic components such as fresh plants or bespoke window dressings, paying meticulous attention to details including optimal furniture placement that makes living spaces warm and inviting while providing a contemporary feel. Skilled stagers have a natural talent for imagining how best to organize a room along with creativity in crafting attractive environments, all while weaving together narratives that capture the interest of buyers.

Paint Colors and Finishing Touches

When it comes to staging, it’s not just about the furniture and décor. Paint colors and finishing touches, too, significantly contribute to enriching a home’s visual appeal. Neutral hues like white, beige, and gray, provide a versatile backdrop appealing to a broader audience, thus being favored choices in home staging.

Choosing the right paint color can notably affect the perceived spaciousness and brightness of a room, shaping potential buyers’ perceptions and boosting the visual charm of the space. The selection of paint colors is equally crucial in establishing the emotional ambiance of a room, where warm shades add vibrancy and cool hues instill calmness.

In private spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms, pale and soft hues foster a clean and soothing atmosphere.

Types of Home Staging Services

Virtual staging of a vacant home

The world of home staging offers a variety of services to cater to different needs and budgets. One notable service is virtual staging, a contemporary method that digitally enhances photos by adding furniture and decor. Virtual staging stands out for its affordability and convenience compared to traditional staging methods. This method effectively amplifies a property’s appeal in online listings, a crucial aspect in the current real estate market where the majority of buyers begin their search online.

Certainly, traditional staging methods, namely vacant home staging, and occupied home staging, remain popular, each providing distinct benefits. Vacant home staging involves furnishing an empty property to show its full potential, while occupied home staging optimizes the layout and presentation of the homeowner’s existing furnishings.

Vacant Home Staging

Home staging, particularly of a vacant property, can markedly affect the rapidity and selling price at which it is sold. It not only boosts the visual appeal but also embellishes exterior areas, thereby making the home more appealing to potential buyers. Introducing furniture and decorative touches to empty spaces establishes points of reference that not only make rooms seem bigger but also assist prospective buyers in imagining their lives in that space.

Even though there’s an expense associated with renting furniture for home staging—beginning around $2,000 for homes measuring 2,000 square feet—the investment often pays off by potentially raising the final selling price of a property. Consequently, engaging in vacant home staging emerges as an astute strategy for sellers aiming to optimize returns on their sales.

Occupied Home Staging

Home staging can also be applied to occupied homes by utilizing the furniture and decor that the homeowner already possesses. Staging professionals meticulously rearrange and enhance these items to increase the attractiveness of the property for sale. It is up to sellers to ensure that their home retains its staged allure by keeping it clean and tidy. Stagers support this effort by providing guidance, checklists, and organizing aids so that viewings go smoothly.

Through inventive reimagining of lived-in spaces—like turning a seldom-used den into an attractive home office—stagers demonstrate how underutilized areas might serve prospective buyers’ needs. This approach has led some companies specializing in home staging services to focus particularly on furnished properties as opposed to empty ones, obviating the need for extensive inventories required when staging vacant houses.

Austin, TX: A Competitive Market for Home Sellers

In Austin, TX’s highly competitive real estate market, the significance of staging homes cannot be overstated. The average price for an Austin home soared to a record $667,000 in May 2022, marking a year-over-year surge of 18%, which underscores the intense competition among sellers. By February 2023, indications emerged that the housing market heat was dissipating as median home values fell to $450,000.

Nevertheless, Austin secured its position as one of America’s top ten most fervent housing markets in 2022. While escalating mortgage rates could temper buyer enthusiasm somewhat moving forward, Austin’s real estate scene continues to thrive, with strong competition facilitating faster sales and potentially allowing sellers to command superior prices. Real estate experts maintain that sellers must navigate this dynamic landscape decisively and be willing to meet buyers’ expectations so they can make the most out of current market trends in Austin.

Round Rock and Cedar Park

Home staging services are becoming increasingly pivotal in the housing markets of suburbs around Austin, like Round Rock and Cedar Park. These locales have seen a notable influx of newcomers from larger cities, enhancing their desirability. The average sale price for homes in Round Rock currently stands at $427K, which represents a 5.8% drop compared to last year’s figures. Meanwhile, Cedar Park reports an average home sale price of $420K — this shows an 8.2% fall from what it was one year prior.

Even with these downturns in prices, properties within these regions still command impressive amounts. A case in point is that houses in Cedar Park sell just 2% below their listed prices and often move to pending status within roughly 61 days on the market. This trend underscores a robust real estate environment where professional staging can greatly bolster sellers’ chances for expedient sales and could possibly enhance selling prices as well.

Hiring a Professional Home Staging Company

Professional stager discussing staging options with clients

Utilizing the services of a professional staging company can drastically change the outlook for homeowners who are looking to put their homes on sale. These specialists possess excellent communication abilities, enhancing collaboration with homeowners, real estate agents, and builders alike. Homes that have been professionally staged linger in the memory of potential buyers longer than unstaged counterparts, giving them an advantage within a fiercely competitive market.

Professional stagers bring top-notch organizational skills to bear on every element involved in the home staging process, such as:

  • Optimizing the floor plan
  • Strategic arrangement of furniture
  • Curating decor pieces
  • Harmonizing color schemes
  • Engineering the lighting design
  • Positioning art and decorative accessories appropriately

They also expertly manage billing and invoicing related to these tasks.

They are equipped with adaptability when facing unexpected challenges during staging assignments. This ensures that they keep projects progressing smoothly while delivering impactful results that benefit sellers.

Expertise and Experience

Home stagers, in collaboration with a real estate agent, bring their profound knowledge and skills to the art of home staging. They enable buyers to envision the potential within a property. As reported by the National Association of REALTORS®, over 25% of buyers are more inclined to ignore defects in a property if it’s well-staged, demonstrating that professional stagers have an acute understanding of market dynamics.

These expert stagers exhibit:

  • A high level of confidence in their capability to transform any house into an attractive and saleable asset.
  • Keen business insight
  • An effective marketing strategy that guides their approach for converting houses into desirable listings on the real estate market

Cost and Return on Investment

Home staging, though it requires upfront spending, can significantly boost the selling price. Statistics show that sellers who allocate 1% of their home’s sale price to staging may see a return ranging from 5% to 15% above their asking price. Homes that are not staged tend to face reductions in their sale prices that can be five to twenty times more than what they might have spent on staging services. Thus highlighting how effective staging is in preventing steep discounts on the listing.

The cost for professional home stagers varies: hourly fees start around $25 and can go up to $150 or fixed service charges fall between $800 and $1000 alongside a monthly fee per room which ranges from $400 to $700. Despite these costs, investing in home staging frequently leads to an enhanced sell rate at higher prices—a benefit many find justifies the initial expense—making it a wise decision for sellers aiming for optimum returns during their property sales.

Vacation Rentals and Home Staging

Home staging extends its advantages beyond just the sale of homes, significantly impacting vacation rental listings. Highlighting a property’s best attributes through staged photographs in online listings, sets the stage for an impactful initial impression that can lead to increased reservations.

In order to effectively stage vacation rentals, one should consider the strategic arrangement of furniture, maintain cleanliness throughout, choose decor thoughtfully, and keep up-to-date with current trends while incorporating feedback from guests. Properly executed staging for a vacation rental not only has the potential to garner more favorable guest reviews but also can boost occupancy levels and provide leverage to charge higher rates, making it an invaluable investment for property owners.

Lago Vista and Dripping Springs

The market for vacation rentals in the Austin vicinity finds two standout locations in Lago Vista and Dripping Springs, each with its own unique charm. Renowned for panoramic lake vistas and abundant outdoor activities, Lago Vista draws many looking to enjoy nature’s splendor. Meanwhile, Dripping Springs entices visitors with its tranquil beauty and is recognized as an idyllic setting for weddings, as well as a region noted for vineyards.

Property owners in these locales benefit not only from the inherent appeal of their surroundings but also have the opportunity to relish the personal use of their investments. By strategically staging these properties, they can heighten their appeal to those seeking a vacation rental experience—this could potentially lead to higher occupancy rates which translates into more substantial profits for proprietors.

Summary

From faster sales and higher asking prices to creating memorable impressions and enabling buyers to visualize themselves in the property, the benefits of home staging are clear. Whether you’re selling a home in the competitive Austin market, renting out a vacation property in Lago Vista or Dripping Springs, or looking to maximize your return on investment, home staging can provide a significant edge. As the housing market continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: a well-staged home is a strong contender in any market.

Frequently Asked Questions

When selling a house should you stage it?

Certainly, the practice of home staging can significantly aid in selling a house as staged homes often sell more quickly and tend to elicit higher bids from potential buyers who are impressed by a meticulously presented property.

Staging facilitates buyers the ability to imagine their life within the space, minimizing distractions that may arise from any required refurbishments.

Does staging a home make it sell faster?

Yes, staging a home can make it sell faster and for more money, as staged homes historically sell faster and 81% of buyers’ agents say it makes it easier for prospective buyers to visualize the property as a future home.

What is the disadvantage of home staging?

One significant downside of home staging is the additional expense involved. Hiring professional staging services often comes at a high price, which encompasses the cost of furniture and decor items, potentially placing it out of reach for certain homeowners.

What is home staging?

Staging a property through the thoughtful placement of decor and furniture is a tactic designed to enhance its allure for prospective buyers. It aims to create an inviting atmosphere that allows those considering the purchase to imagine making it their home.

What types of home staging services are available?

Staging services encompass an array of options suitable for different residential circumstances, such as virtual staging, services specifically tailored for vacant homes, and those designed for occupied home staging.

About the Author

Last updated: 03/29/2024

2300+ Client reviews!

Joe was great in all aspects of inspecting, pricing and selling our house. We had two offers in two weeks and closed within a month of the listing. Highly recommend using both Joe and Bramlett Residential Real Estate as we’ll be doing with another property sale soon.

I had a fantastic experience working with my realtor Becky Welch. I cannot speak highly enough of her professionalism, and dedication in helping me find the perfect home. She was always available to answer any questions I had throughout the process. Becky made the process of buying a home out of state easy. She took care of every detail for me from the beginning to the end.

Kevin Wilhelm is the best. I don’t know if we’ve ever had such attention paid to us and effort put out for any service we’ve ever had. It didn’t feel like a person trying to sell us a house. It felt like an old friend guiding us to a home. Kevin’s optimism was infectious, and weeks after settlement, he is still helping us to make the transition. We may be new to Texas, but we know we have at least one friend here.

I had a great experience with Kevin. This was my third home sale/purchase with him, and I’ve referred him to several friends over the years as well. Kevin is a top notch Realtor, and he gives me the information I need in order to make an informed decision. Kevin makes his recommendations but doesn’t flinch if I go a different direction, he has all the contacts when I need a referral, he negotiates hard on my behalf, he goes the extra mile and then another 10. I’ll keep recommending Kevin; he’s fantastic!

Kevin Wilhelm started out as my Realtor and ended up a friend. Kevin’s expertise, style, and work ethics are second to none in the Texas market. Kevin is the BEST! We LOVE our new home, Kevin! Thanks for all your help!

Kevin was an absolute pleasure to work with! He treated me with the utmost respect and honesty, and his integrity and reachability were impeccable. Most of all he made my buying process easy and non-stressful. I would even go on to say that over the course of the last 6 months, I have come to consider Kevin as a friend and not just my realtor. I would highly recommend working with Kevin!

Kevin Wilhelm is awesome! Toni and I feel extremely lucky to be able to work with Kevin. He is responsive, reliable, empathetic, and so passionate about his job. Kevin also shows such genuine care about exceeding the expectations of his clients.

Kevin was an exceptional help to us when we were looking for homes in Austin! He was honest, prompt, friendly, had an abundance of local knowledge, and provided us with excellent service. We would absolutely work with Kevin again and highly recommend him.

Kevin showed himself to be ethical, thoughtful, nonjudgmental, calm, respectful and knowledgeable. We repeatedly changed our criteria; Kevin was patient as those criteria moved from South Austin to West and Central Austin! We took a year-long break from the search. As soon as we determined, we did not have the appetite for the grueling task of building our own home, and that the sale of the lot was in our best interest, we knew who to contact. Kevin was ready to help us. He researched the market and suggested a price that more than satisfied us. Better yet, we had multiple offers, and a contract in less than a week and a closing in little more than two weeks! We will highly recommend Kevin Wilhelm to our friends and relatives, and complete strangers, and will continue to consult with him for our next Austin purchase.

Kevin was truly great throughout the whole process of buying and selling! He was recommended by my sister, Robin, who he helped when she bought her house, so there’s no higher recommendation than that, in my book, and he lived up to the billing. Kevin is a 10/10, and I would highly recommend him and would work with him again.

I absolutely can’t say enough about Kevin Wilhelm and how amazing he was in holding my hand throughout the entire home buying process. If you or anyone you know is in the market to buy or sell in Austin, please consider talking to Kevin. I’ve been around real estate agents my entire life (my mom has been in the business in San Antonio since I was a baby, and still is), and I’ve also bought and sold a home before I moved to Austin, so I feel I know a quality agent when I see it. Kevin was professional, knowledgeable about the Austin market and even helped me connect with the right mortgage company that was able to close my loan in 20 days! Again, whether you’re in the buyer or seller market now or will be in the future, I encourage you to consider using his services. He’s a rock star!

If you are looking for a Realtor that will give 200% to help you buy or sell a place and make a process that can be a very stressful one be a smooth journey, then Kevin Wilhelm is who you need. Within minutes of meeting Kevin, we knew he was the one to help us find our dream home. We immediately saw how knowledgeable he is about the market in the area we were interested in, so we knew we were in perfect hands. Kevin exceeded all of our expectations and guided us through this process, held our hand, and answered all of our many questions, all super promptly and super nicely. He was extremely punctual at every meeting and was an ultimate resource for us. We felt Kevin had our back and we were always cared for. He would even go to check up on the builder without us asking to, to make sure things were progressing properly and would have the tough conversations with them if things were of concern. We know our home buying process went so smoothly because of Kevin, so we would absolutely recommend that you look no further and have the best teammate to guide you through this process! You will be so happy working with him because Kevin’s amazing!

Click Here to Read All Reviews