3 Reasons to Stage Your Home Before Selling

Discover how staging neutralizes quirks, enchants buyers, and boosts
your sale price by 7.1%.

If you're considering selling your home soon, you might wonder: Should I stage it? Industry professionals often agree that staging your home and investing money upfront brings a positive net return on your sale. However, many homeowners ask, "Is it worth the time? Will I get my money back? Or is it just a hassle of storing my belongings and bringing in someone else's furniture?"

Here are three compelling reasons to consider staging your home before putting it on the market:

1. Minimize your home's issues. Every home is unique, with its quirks and incredible features. Staging can neutralize aspects potential buyers might see as quirks, ensuring your home appeals to a broader audience. By placing the right-sized furniture in each room—be it a cozy den or an awkward space—staging helps everything flow naturally. Moreover, it highlights your home's best features, ensuring it shines in buyers' eyes.

"Staging can boost your sale price by 7.1%—a significant gain in today's market."

2. Transform the buyer's experience. Staging transforms the buyer's shopping experience into something special. Instead of feeling like guests in your home, buyers will feel like they're shopping in a retail store. This "retail-ready" approach gives consumers a vision of the ideal life they'd like to live. Like a used car that's been perfectly detailed and still smells new, a staged home offers that aspirational experience, which can significantly impact buyers' perceptions.

3. Enjoy a positive return on investment. Studies have shown that staging offers a positive return on investment. One study revealed a 7.1% increase in sales price due to staging. In Orange County, where negotiations often involve $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, or even $100,000, this increase can substantially affect your final sale price. The emotional connection that staging helps create in the buyer's mind can significantly influence what they're willing to pay for your home.

You might be thinking, "But staging sounds expensive!" While bringing in all the furniture and storing yours may cost several thousand dollars, there's good news. I've partnered with a fantastic stager whom I've used several times. We've negotiated a deal for my clients where payment can be made at closing, and I find her to be one of the most affordable in town. If you have questions about whether or not to stage your home and would like to discuss strategies to improve your equity, feel free to call or message me. I'm here to help you develop a plan to maximize your return when selling your home.