And why it’s worth every penny.

When you’re getting ready to sell your home, one question almost always comes up: “Should we stage it — and if so, who’s footing the bill?” It’s a fair question, especially when you’re already juggling repairs, photography, and moving plans.

In this post, we’ll break down who usually pays for home staging, why it’s often worth the investment, and who benefits— with some fresh stats to back it up.

Option 1 Seller Pays Before Listing

Usually, the homeowner covers the cost of staging upfront — either by hiring a staging company directly or coordinating through their real estate agent. The payment happens before or right when the home hits the market.

The upside? The seller gets complete control over the process — from choosing the stager to deciding on the style, timing, and overall scope.

According to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), about 17% of sellers’ agents said their clients pay for staging before listing the home.

Option 2 Agent Pays or Shares the Cost

In some cases, the real estate agent — or their brokerage — may cover the staging costs as part of their marketing strategy. Offering staging can help make a listing stand out and sell faster, so some agents choose to include it in their service package, either free or at a reduced rate.

According to the 2023 NAR Profile of Home Staging, about 10% of agents said they personally offer to stage a home, and another 11% reported that their brokerage covers the cost.

This approach can make sense when the agent expects the benefits — a quicker sale or a higher sale price — to more than offset the cost of staging through a stronger commission or faster turnaround.

Option 3 The Hybrid Approach

Often when it comes to who pays for home staging, the honest answer is: “it depends.” Every listing is different, and the decision usually comes down to factors like the home’s condition, how long it’s expected to stay on the market, neighborhood competition, the target buyer, and whether the home is vacant or occupied.

According to a 2025 NAR Report, about 26% of sellers’ agents said that who pays for staging “depends on the situation.” And that makes perfect sense—there’s no one-size-fits-all formula.

In real life, that might look like a cost-sharing arrangement (where the agent and seller split the expense), or perhaps the seller opts for a partial or scaled-back staging package if a full setup isn’t in the budget. The key is finding the right balance to showcase the home beautifully while staying realistic about costs.

Bottom line: Usually, the seller ends up paying for staging (either directly or via the agent). But the staging cost can be seen as a marketing/investment expense — much like paying for professional photography or premium advertising.

No matter who pays, everyone wins!

Regardless of who pays for the staging, it actually influences three key players in every sale: the seller, the listing agent, and the buyer.

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In the end, who pays for home staging really depends on your situation — and your goals. Sometimes sellers cover the full cost as part of their selling strategy, while in other cases, agents might share expenses or even include staging as part of their services. The key is to think of staging not as an extra cost, but as an investment in how a home presents. A beautifully staged home can sell faster and for a higher price — making it money well spent no matter who foots the bill.