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InsightHorizon Digest

Is it worth staging your home for sale

Author

James Bradley

Updated on April 18, 2026

Eighty-five percent of staged homes fetched offers between 5 percent and 23 percent over list price, according to 2020 data from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), and by investing 1 percent of the home’s value in staging, 75 percent of sellers saw a return between 5 percent and 15 percent.

How much value does home staging add?

Eighty-five percent of staged homes fetched offers between 5 percent and 23 percent over list price, according to 2020 data from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), and by investing 1 percent of the home’s value in staging, 75 percent of sellers saw a return between 5 percent and 15 percent.

Who pays for staging a home?

The 2017 Profile of Home Staging report published by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicates that the staging investment is typically paid by the seller.

Do houses sell better when staged?

According to a study conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), homes that are staged are selling faster and at higher prices than those that are not staged. … According to the report, nearly two-thirds of sellers’ agents said that staging a home decreases the amount of time the home spends on the market.

Are home stagers in demand?

Increased Demand for Home Staging Professionals The need for a home staging professional is growing. Realtors and homeowners now appreciate the value added by home staging professionals. A home stager is objective and can easily spot areas of the home that could drag down the selling price.

How quickly do staged homes sell?

“A staged home will sell for 17% more on average than a non-staged home, and 95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less. That is statistically 87% faster than non-staged homes.”

What is soft staging?

Soft staging is a lesser-known version of home staging. … Soft staging has the same concept as traditional home staging but without the furniture. We bring in artwork and accessories that compliment the home to make it feel warmer and more inviting.

Can you live in a staged home?

You might still live there. Your situation isn’t uncommon, and staging a house while living in it is completely doable, even with kids and pets. Still, if you’re set on not rearranging your home before selling, you could sell directly to a cash buyer.

How much do stagers make?

The average salary for home stagers is $49,616, with some earning as much as $80,500 annually. The majority of lead stagers make over $20 an hour, while the majority of staging assistants make $10-$25 an hour, according to RESA’s 2021 State of the Industry Report.

Who pays for staging furniture?

Usually, the homeowner is responsible for all staging costs. There are some situations where the realtor might cover the stager’s consultation fee or reimburse the seller at closing for an agreed amount. However, each realtor is different. It’s best to have this discussion with your Santa Clarita real estate agent.

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Do staging companies sell their furniture?

So what happens to all the furniture items that get cut from a stager’s arsenal? They’re sold off — and oftentimes at a discount. If you want to get your hands on a gently used piece of furniture at a below-market price, here’s how to find home stager sales.

How much should I charge to stage a home?

As a general rule of thumb, the average cost for most stagers is $300 to $600 for an initial design consultation, and $500 to $600 per month per staged room. “Therefore, staging a 2,000-square-foot home would cost around $2,000 to $2,400 a month,” explains real estate professional Crystal Leigh Hemphill.

Is home staging a growing industry?

The local housing market started to decline in the fall of 2019 and experts are predicting that it will continue declining in 2020. Even in a seller’s market, home staging has proven beneficial for selling homes quicker and for more money.

How do I learn to stage homes?

Go to School When you’re serious about making a living from staging homes and apartments, take classes to gain the knowledge, training and credentials you need. Online colleges, schools and real estate companies offer professional staging courses to allow you to keep your current job and study in your spare time.

How do you stage an empty bedroom?

To stage an empty room, your best bet is to bring in a few extra furniture pieces from the other rooms in your house and arrange them around a “theme.” The theme you choose is largely dependent on the pieces of furniture you find. Your best bet is to decorate your empty room as: A guest bedroom.

How do I stage my home to sell for top dollar?

  1. #1 Create a Welcoming Entrance.
  2. #2 Avoid Pushing Furniture Against the Walls.
  3. #3 Create a Function for Awkward Spaces.
  4. #4 Focus on Your Big Selling Rooms.
  5. #5 Don’t Forget About Lighting.
  6. #6 Think About Neutralizing Your Style.
  7. #7 Create a Hotel-Worthy Master Bedroom.

Why do staged houses sell faster?

“Staging a home helps consumers see the full potential of a given space or property,” said Jessica Lautz, NAR’s vice president of demographics and behavioral insights. “It features the home in its best light and helps would-be buyers envision its various possibilities.”

Is Staging Diva worth the money?

Pretty impressive! Value: The 5 core course at the Staging Diva deliver value-bombs of information which are perfect for anyone wanting to get into the home staging business. For around $1000, we think the course is worth the money if you want a head start in the home staging business.

How much does a stager make in California?

Annual SalaryMonthly PayTop Earners$67,342$5,61175th Percentile$44,239$3,686Average$43,376$3,61425th Percentile$28,510$2,375

What to pack up when trying to sell house?

Start with what you don’t need For the purpose of staging, pack up personal items like family photos, framed certifications, taste-specific artwork, and décor that you declutter from shelves and surfaces. The less you have around, the larger and more open your home will appear to buyers.

Is 2020 a good year to sell a house?

But relatively speaking, 2020 might be the best time to put your house on the market. Especially if you’re on the fence about selling this year or next, it may be better to sell in an environment that’s more predictable, rather than wait for time to pass and circumstances to change.

Is it worth decorating a house before selling?

You can either spruce up your property to add value, or lose money on unnecessary updates. … Sometimes, costly decorations may be entirely unwarranted, especially if they don’t really add value to the property. At the same time, there may be cases that leaving the house as-is might reduce its sale value.

Why does staging cost so much?

Staging costs increase based on how many rooms you stage and how long you need the furniture in place (i.e. until your home sells or you accept an offer). Other costs may include consultation fees and moving expenses for the decor. … So, lived-in homes can be significantly less expensive—but not always.

Does staging a house matter?

Home staging is the curated furnishing and prepping an uninhabited home that is for sale on the real estate market. Proponents say that staging a home can increase a home’s selling price and the likelihood that it will sell quickly as it helps prospective buyers better imagine how they can use the livable space.

How do you charge for staging?

The home staging cost per hour is between $25 and $150, with an average price of $75 per hour. It is more common for stagers to charge for the initial consultation and per month rental rate.

What happens to furniture in model homes?

It’s standard practice to leave the furnishings in the model home. The furniture, the artwork on the walls, and the knickknacks often stay with the home—if you ask for them. State that they’re to remain with the home without consideration and without a warranty when you’re putting these items into the contract.

Why do we need staging?

If you want to sell a home quickly and for the best possible price, staging is one of the easiest ways to make it happen. Staging a home ensures that buyers see it in its very best light, and can help illustrate what a property can offer without requiring a complete makeover.

What industry is Home Staging in?

Home staging is a widely used and respected strategy in the real estate industry. It’s recognized as a remarkably effective technique in selling a home in less time at a higher price.

What is home staging and why is it important?

Staging transforms homes and makes them look brand new. It highlights the home’s best features and demonstrates the home’s potential. It has a big impact on how buyers see your home. The goals of staging are to make the home appear move-in ready and help buyers visualize themselves living in it.

Is staging studio legit?

You can be confident they are 100% legit. Value: I’ve been involved in home staging for a number of years now, and am still tempted to refresh my skills with the Staging Studio home staging course.