Share
References
NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
Source: 2023 Profile of Home Staging (National Association of REALTORS®, Mar. 30, 2023)
Staging a Home
Sellers are Now Going for Bold and Bright When Staging Their Homes (Washingtonian, Apr. 4, 2023)
“Blues and greens are big now, according to the designers, who recommend adding color to staged homes through smaller pieces like accent chairs, rugs, blankets, pillows, vases, or art, as opposed to painting the whole space. And touches such as natural textures and curved furniture can also add warmth to a house, says Machenaud: “It’s about bringing some optimism back into these living spaces.”
Home Staging: How Much Does it Cost, and is it Worth It? (Bankrate, Mar. 30, 2023)
“Based on HomeAdvisor data, the service fee alone can be between $800 and $1,000. Then, you’ll need to pay staging fees, which fall somewhere between $400 and $700 per room for the first month. And furniture rental can cost $500 to $600 per room, per month. The cost of staging a home for two to three months typically translates to 1 percent of a home’s list price, says Pam Tiberia, founder of Spruce Interiors in Hampton, New Hampshire. So, if your home is being listed for $300,000, the cost to stage it for a few months would likely be around $3,000.”
A Home Stager Shares 5 Hot Trends She’s Watching for 2023 (REALTOR® Magazine, Jan. 23, 2023)
As we emerge from COVID-19 inspired staging – heavy on office and home gyms – home decor has taken a turn toward the fun and colorful. Stagers are seeing wallpaper, wall molding, and statement light fixtures gain popularity. Bold color and colorful accents have begun to replace the white and gray neutrals, as well as curvy edges!
Home Staging Guide (National Association of REALTORS®)
This guide from the National Association of REALTORS® offers a variety of sources on staging from REALTOR® Magazine. From staging in on a budget to how scent impacts buyers, you will find the ultimate collection of staging advice here!
Virtual Staging
Though virtual staging was making a name for itself pre-2020, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed it into the limelight, allowing sellers to stage homes without having yet another stranger step foot into their space.
Look Sharp! Is Virtual Staging or Traditional Staging the Best Way to Sell a House? (Boston.com, Feb. 8, 2023)
“There’s no question that staging adds value to a home for sale. According to the National Association of Realtors 2021 Profile of Home Staging, 82 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. And a 2021 survey of 4,600 properties by the Real Estate Staging Association indicated that staged homes sold for an average of $40,000 over list price, and an average of nine days faster than the average days on the market.”
How to Leverage Virtual Staging for Your Listings (and Why It Works) (RIS Media, Jan. 20, 2023)
“In today’s current market, home staging is undergoing a transformation. New tools and technology have made it possible for real estate professionals to create endless listing photos to appeal to a wide range of buyers through virtual staging. Virtual staging is quickly becoming the go-to for many listing agents due to the fact that it’s convenient, affordable and flexible. Plus, it can help with timetables for both buyers and sellers.”
The Best Virtual Staging Companies of 2023 (Bob Vila, Dec. 29, 2022)
“Thanks to some of the best virtual staging companies, prospective buyers can see a property’s interior design potential through digital renderings with fewer limitations than traditional home staging. Virtual staging software offers the benefits of physical home staging from one of the best interior design services at a significantly lower price and with less work, straight from a smartphone, computer, or any other online-capable device.”
Tips for Staging Specific Areas of the House
7 Living Room Improvements That’ll Help Sell Your Home for More Money (realtor.com®, Feb. 6, 2023)
When trying to entice buyers, make sure to highlight the following 7 aspects of your home; let the natural light shine, use neutral wall colors, open up the space, streamline décor and stage thoughtfully, remove old carpeting and replace with wood, vinyl, or tile, demonstrate the versatility of your rooms, and finally, incorporate extra shelving or storage.
5 Bedroom Staging Mistakes that Can Totally Turn Off Buyers (realtor.com®, Feb. 6, 2023)
When trying to picture themselves in their possible new bedroom, buyers have some major turnoffs, starting with messy closest! When staging your home for sale, make sure that most of your clutter is already packed away. Other turnoffs buyers noted in bedrooms were a neglect of lighting and artwork, as well as not staging beds and leaving pet beds/crates in the room.
6 Kitchen Staging Mistakes that Can Sabotage the Sale of Your Home (realtor.com®, Feb. 1, 2023)
Potential buyers want to be able to envision themselves cooking and entertaining in your kitchen, and there are a few things you can do to make that easier; keep clutter off the countertops, focus on lighting, take those invitations, and holiday cards off the fridge, make sure the dining area is obvious, leave the floors bare, and finally – deep clean!
3 Things Home Stagers Always Do to Make a Bedroom Look Neater (Apartment Therapy, Feb. 4, 2022)
Bedrooms are one of the most personal areas of a home, and therefore one of the most important to stage correctly. Professional stagers want you to remember these three tips for a successful bedroom staging: clear out clutter, eliminate pieces instead of adding them, tone down the color – simple and effective!
eBooks & Other Resources
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (eBook)
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Audiobook)
Clear Your Clutter (Audiobook, eBook)
Clutter Busting! (Audiobook)
Clutter Free (eBook)
Consider It Sold (eBook)
Home Staging for Dummies (eBook)
Home Staging That Works (eBook)
The Clutter Cure (eBook)
The Everything Organize Your Home Book (eBook)
The Quick-Fix Home Organizer (eBook)
Go Organize! (eBook)
The Learning Annex® Presents Uncluttering Your Space (eBook)
Secrets of Home Staging: The Essential Guide to Getting Higher Offers Faster (Audiobook)
Staging to Sell (eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
As a member benefit, the following resources and more are available for loan through the NAR Library. Items will be mailed directly to you or made available for pickup at the REALTOR® Building in Chicago.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging Your Home to Sell (Indianapolis, IN: Alpha Books, 2007) HF 5438 D19
How to Stage Your Home to Sell for Top Dollar (Concord, CA: www.stagedhomes.com, 2006) DVD023
Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money (New York, NY: Wiley, 2006) HF 5438 Sch9
Home Staging: Creating Buyer-Friendly Rooms to Sell Your House (Arlington, MN: Center Stage Home, 2004) HF 5438 M43
Preparing Your Home to Sell: How to Increase Your Home's Sales Appeal (Minneapolis, MN: David Knox, 2002) DVD001
Dress Your House for Success (New York: Three Rivers Press, 1997) HD 1341 W43d
Have an idea for a real estate topic? Send us your suggestions.
The inclusion of links on this page does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this page complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.