According to a recent study shared by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) nearly half of seller’s agents stated that staging a home had decreased the amount of time on the market for sale. Additionally, 20% of buyer and seller agents polled stated that staging a home can increase the offer price anywhere between 1 and 5%.

 

"As days on market has lengthened for home sellers, it is not a surprise to see the return of home staging as a tool to attract potential buyers," said Jessica Lautz, NAR deputy chief economist and vice president of research. "Buyers want to easily envision themselves within a new home and home staging is a way to showcase the property in its best light."

The vast majority of buyer agents also said that a staged home makes it far easier for buyers to visualize the property set up as their own. Living rooms were stated to be the most important room to be staged followed by the primary bedroom and kitchen respectively. Vacant homes are most in need of these rooms filled and staged with appropriate furniture. For homes that sellers currently are living in, at times light staging is helpful with reducing, adding or rearranging furniture and decorations in order to show off the home’s true potential.

 

These days with so many real estate programs on television so many buyers are trained to expect to see homes for sale staged and looking more turnkey. This has set the bar for what they anticipate to see when touring homes for sale.

 

Professional real estate agents are trained and have the skills to assist sellers with what needs to be done to their particular home when it comes time to sell. This can include some decluttering, a little necessary updating, cleaning and staging. While the home may not be arranged as a homeowner typically had it, this valuable prep work can really make a big difference when putting the home on the market for sale.