Home Staging Has Become a Crucial Tactic for Sellers Who Want to Move Their Properties Quickly

Selling a home in a competitive real estate market like ours presents challenges. How can a property stand out amid dozens of listings with similar photos and the same jargon-heavy descriptions?

A growing number of companies are helping owners stage their homes, adding furniture, decor and other design elements to highlight a property’s top features. According to Thumbtack, a national home services company, requests for home stagers increased 10 percent between 2023 and 2024. That’s because, according to experts, first impressions can make a huge difference in whether a property sells.

“A potential buyer will spend an average of six minutes in a vacant house and 40 to 45 minutes in one that is staged,” says Amber Fitzpatrick of Designology, a Sarasota home-staging company.

Why Staging Is Important

Time is money, and the longer a property sits on the market, the more it can lose its initial shine. According to a 2023 report from the National Association of Realtors, nearly half of sellers’ agents said staging decreased a home’s time on the market. The association also estimates that staging increases offer prices by 1 percent to 5 percent.

Design and real estate reality TV shows and social media reels play a big role by influencing potential buyers. The cavalcade of clips featuring rooms styled to perfection increases buyers’ real life expectations. According to 55 percent of the agents surveyed in the National Association of Realtors report, buyers expect homes on the market to be presented in a way that helps them envision their future lives there.

Find the Right Staging Partner

Identifying the right company to hire will make for a smoother process. Selecting an expert or firm that does staging full-time is a good first step. They should have a dependable go-to moving team and immediate access to decorative inventory. “Ask professional stagers the average number of days their projects are on the market,” advises Fitzpatrick. That will give you an idea of their success rate.

Staging for All Budgets

There are several options for preparing a home for sale that fit a range of budgets.

Virtual staging, for example, uses software to create cost-effective visuals, and it’s often offered by realtors or can be purchased for a few hundred dollars. The images should accurately represent the property without misleading alterations. Adding sunsets in the wrong location or removing stationary elements, for example, are no-nos.

Designology’s basic package includes staging the primary bedroom and the living and dining rooms for approximately $2,000 for the first month. The cost covers the initial design, delivery, furniture rental, installation and de-staging. (After the first month, the monthly fee drops to $700.) To create an environment that makes a potential buyer feel like they’ve found their next home, a full range of home goods is provided, including rugs, artwork, wall hangings, accessories, lighting, textiles and prop televisions.

Luxury staging has also gained traction, with national companies like Vesta Home offering services that resemble a cosmetic remodel. (Vesta recently staged the Manhattan residence of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman when it hit the market.) Think custom window treatments and wallcoverings, plus new paint and light fixtures. Those extras will cost you, though. Vesta charges at least $15,000 for three months of staging, a price that includes the design, furniture, delivery, setup, styling and removal.

Vesta also helps sellers show off the exteriors of their homes. “Outdoor spaces are showstoppers that we put a lot of emphasis on, since it’s such a big part of the lifestyle,” says Linda Kennedy. She’s Vesta’s Florida-based creative director and stages properties from Sarasota to Naples. The company even allows home buyers to purchase any or all of the staging pieces. “This is the second—or third or fourth—home for many buyers, and it allows them to begin living at home immediately,” says Kennedy.

Most sellers understand that an empty house does little to inspire potential buyers. Linda Lobo of The PoLo Team at Real Broker LLC enlisted Designology to stage a client’s St. Petersburg home before listing it. Fitzpatrick staged four rooms and the lanai, creating an impression of “a warm and inviting atmosphere.” The impact was immediate: The home sold within 24 hours of its first showing. “We received a full-price cash offer with a fast closing date,” says Lobo, emphasizing that staging played a key role.

How to Do It Yourself

Quick tips from the experts

Address Common Concerns

Identify issues that buyers may have, such as a room that feels too small. The right furniture arrangement can make it look more spacious. Or, if your home is dark, add lamps and light decor to brighten it up.

Minimize Distractions

Staging should present a neutral canvas that appeals to a wide audience. Remove distractions, such as family photos or unique collections, that make it hard for buyers to focus on the property.

Increase the Emotional Appeal

Creating a connection between the property and the buyer is vital. An open cookbook, a bag of flour and a rolling pin on the kitchen counter, or potted flowers and a spade in the utility room, can create “home sweet home” moments.

Focus on Key Spaces

According to National Association of Realtors data, the three rooms most important to buyers are the living room, the primary bedroom and the kitchen, in that order.