Looks matter when it comes to real estate—and taking the time to spruce up a home before the for-sale sign goes up could lead to a faster sale that nets a homeowner more money, according to the newly released 2025 Profile of Home Staging, a survey of about 1,200 real estate professionals conducted by the National Association of REALTORS®.
Indeed, about 30% of real estate professionals reported that staging boosted home values by 1% to 10%, the survey finds. More specifically, nearly 20% of listing agents said offers increased by 1% to 5% compared to similar, un-staged homes, while another 10% of agents reported a 6% to 10% jump in offers, which they attributed to home staging.
On a $400,000 priced home, staging could potentially lead to a $4,000 to $40,000 boost in the sales price.
Speed of sale was another advantage agents attributed to home staging: About half of real estate pros surveyed said that staged homes tended to sell more quickly than their un-staged counterparts. Eighty-three percent of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for home shoppers to envision a property as their future home.
The impact of staging often begins before a buyer ever sets foot inside. “We know most home buyers start their search online, so first impressions are really important,” says Chris Lim, executive vice president and chief growth officer at RE/MAX. “Buyers may forgo seeing a home if it doesn’t show itself in a certain way online.”
In fact, one in three buyer’s agents reported that clients were more likely to schedule a showing after seeing a staged home online, the NAR report shows.
Most Important Spaces to Stage
The survey found that agents prioritize the following rooms in staging for prospective buyers:
- Living room
- Primary bedroom
- Kitchen
- Dining room
- Outdoor spaces
Meanwhile, agents placed less emphasis on staging guest bedrooms and children’s rooms, according to the report.
Home Checklist for Sellers, According to Agents
Absent of formally staging a property, real estate agents say they often advise their sellers to spruce up their home if they want to appeal to today’s more discerning, HGTV-loving buyers. After all, 58% of real estate professionals report that buyers were disappointed when the homes they visited didn’t live up to what they saw on TV.
As such, more than half of real estate agents said that they suggest these common home improvements to sellers before listing the property:
- Decluttering
- Full-home cleaning
- Enhancing curb appeal
- Taking professional photos
- Minor repairs
- Carpet cleaning
- Depersonalizing
- Paint touch-ups or repainting
- Landscaping
- Re-grouting tile
- Removing pets during showings
