When it comes to selling a home, first impressions matter. Buyers often decide within seconds whether a property feels like “the one.” And the right home staging can be a powerful tool in the realtor’s toolbox for creating that feeling.
But is home staging just an aesthetic upgrade or can it be a financial one too? Do the measurable financial benefits of staging really offer a solid return on investment (ROI)? The data says yes!
What Is Home Staging?
Home staging is the process of preparing a property for sale by arranging furniture, décor, and other visual elements to highlight its strengths and minimize its flaws. By making a home appealing to the broadest audience, home staging can help potential buyers envision the space as their own.
Staging can range from simple DIY enhancements—like decluttering and adding fresh flowers—to full-scale redesigns by professional stagers who provide all the furniture and accessories needed.
The Numbers Behind Home Staging ROI
Multiple studies have shown that home staging leads to faster sales and higher offers:
- Faster Sales: According to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), staged homes sell 73% faster than their non-staged counterparts.
- Higher Offers: The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that 82% of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home, and 25% of agents said it led to offers 1%–5% higher than unstaged homes.
- Return on Investment: The average cost of staging a home is around $3,000–$5,000, but staged homes often sell for $10,000–$50,000 more depending on market and property type. Sellers often see a 5-15x return on their staging investment.
Why Home Staging Works
Staging transforms a property from “lived-in” to “move-in ready,” appealing to a broad range of buyers. It works because:
- It depersonalizes the home, allowing buyers to picture their own lives in the space.
- It highlights the home’s strengths (natural light, open floor plan) and downplays weaknesses (small rooms, awkward layouts).
- It makes the listing photos pop, increasing clicks and traffic to online listings—which is where most home searches begin.
When to Invest in Staging
Staging isn’t just for luxury listings. In fact, it can be especially powerful in competitive or slower markets where you need to stand out. Consider staging if:
- Your home is vacant or has outdated furnishings.
- You’re entering a buyer’s market.
- You want to maximize your sale price quickly.
Last Impressions
Home staging is more than just decorating; it’s a proven marketing tactic with a strong ROI. Whether it’s a prelisting consultation or a full vacant staging, Impressive Home Staging is there for sellers who want to maximize profit and minimize stress.
Home Staging: Shorten your time on market. Boost offers. Sell with confidence.
Meet Impressive Home Staging
We are based in Virginia Beach with a certified team that operates out of a 6,000 sq ft warehouse. We own enough inventory to stage 60 homes at time and use RFID technology to manage over 4,000 items.
We pride ourselves on providing premium service and have the talent and resources to make your home stand out in today’s competitive marketplace. We genuinely enjoy what we do and sincerely appreciate the relationships we have cultivated with our clients.