Why Stage A Home for Sale? Statistics for Realtors and Homeowners

As you plan your marketing strategy and prep for your new listing’s photo session, it’s more than likely that your homeowner is wondering: why stage a home for sale? Can’t I just tidy up? Won’t a stager just want me to spend thousands to make it perfect—cutting into what I could make from the sale?

While sometimes professional staging isn’t needed—and any reputable stager will be upfront if that’s the case—often it makes the difference between a fast sale with competitive bids, and stale listings that force price reductions to stimulate action.

Homes staged before going on the market sell in 90% less time

We see this regularly! In fact, 90% of the homes we stage sell within 2 weeks, at or above listing price—and that’s true for already-furnished, as well as vacant, homes! That’s one of the most compelling answers that we and realtors in the popular Apex, Cary and Raleigh areas can give when clients’ ask “why stage a home for sale?”

The ROI for staged vacant homes is 586% — and ALL sellers see an average return of 5-15%

Stagers want to deliver fast sales for more than the list price too; plus, we have one additional priority: assure the highest ROI possible. At First Impression Home Staging we do this by strategically selecting only the highest-impact actions, and partnering with proven contractors who will do the job right, and on time, the first time.

• Most vacant homes receive $5,000-10,000 over list price.
• Nationwide, about ¾ of home sellers see a 5-15% ROI.

Plus, often we’re able to SAVE our clients money up front by advising them against changes that they planned to make.

Why stage a home for sale? Staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more

Realtors and homeowners share a common goal: sell for the highest price, in the shortest time. Staging is one way to stack the odds in your favor, in both sellers’ AND buyers’ markets. When we’re asked “why stage a home for sale?” these stats offer the best explanation:

• Homes staged before going on the market sell in 90% less time.
• Staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more.

97% of buyers’ agents say staging affects the buyer’s view of the home

Everyone loves a good before-and-after reveal, and thanks to HGTV, DIY Network and other home improvement shows, consumers have higher expectations for ideal home spaces when they’re shopping for houses. Every realtor knows that buyers need to be able to imagine themselves in a home, and the longer they spend in the home, the higher the likelihood of them making an offer.

• Staging helps 81% of buyers find it easier to visualize a staged property as a future home.
• Staging prompts 27% of buyers to overlook property faults.
• Buyers linger in staged homes an average of 40 minutes—compared to just 6 minutes overall.

Realtors we work with, even in a strong buyers’ market like the one we’re in now, tell us they get frustrated when they see their non-staged listings lose out to comparable properties that have been staged.

We hope these stats will help realtors show homeowners how a small investment in staging right from the start—on average ½ to 1% of the list price—will deliver the goal everyone wants: to sell for the highest price, in the shortest time… and with the highest ROI possible. Realtors, when you and your homeowners have the conversation about why stage a home for sale during your next marketing plan meeting, we invite you to bring us into the conversation! Contact us today.