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Is it still a good idea to stage a home in a seller’s market?
I will be putting my home on the market in a red hot seller’s market. I am wondering if it is worth the money to have my home staged or if I can save the extra money as I am likely to get lots of offers regardless.
Asked By Harris L. | 1045 views | Marketing | 4 years ago
Answer(16)
Jason Craig
Coldwell Banker
Staging is essentially about helping buyers visualize themselves living in a property. Even when homes are selling quickly, presentation still matters because most buyers form their first impression from photos online and a quick walk‑through. In a strong seller’s market you may have no shortage of showings, but well‑styled rooms and neutral decor can still translate into higher perceived value and more competitive offers.
That doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars on professional furniture if your home is already in good condition. Focus on the basics: deep clean, declutter personal items, remove oversized furniture to make rooms feel larger, and brighten the space with good lighting. If your house is vacant or has very dated furnishings, hiring a stager or renting a few key pieces can be worthwhile because buyers tend to pay more when they can emotionally connect with the home.
Ultimately the decision depends on your budget, the current condition of your home and how it will compare with competing listings in your price range. Ask your agent for honest feedback and whether similar homes in your market are being staged. In many cases a modest investment in staging or at least thoughtful preparation pays for itself through a smoother sale and stronger offers.
That doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars on professional furniture if your home is already in good condition. Focus on the basics: deep clean, declutter personal items, remove oversized furniture to make rooms feel larger, and brighten the space with good lighting. If your house is vacant or has very dated furnishings, hiring a stager or renting a few key pieces can be worthwhile because buyers tend to pay more when they can emotionally connect with the home.
Ultimately the decision depends on your budget, the current condition of your home and how it will compare with competing listings in your price range. Ask your agent for honest feedback and whether similar homes in your market are being staged. In many cases a modest investment in staging or at least thoughtful preparation pays for itself through a smoother sale and stronger offers.
- 3 weeks ago
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Lisa and Greg Harris
eXp Realty, LLC
There are different degrees of staging..... First and Foremost Declutter and deep clean including a good pressure wash of the home and make it look clean and well cared for at MINIMUM! The better appearance and appeal of a home, the less time on the market, and the better the perception of the value of the home. So do not skip the basics no matter the market if you want top dollar for the sale. To go beyond the basics, I would recommend contacting a local professional REALTOR with experience in your area to know what the trends of the market are for the timeframe you are looking to sell. If you are selling a Million dollar home in a market where there are a lot of them on the market you want yours to stand out above the others!
- 2 years ago
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Lynne Pruell
Realty 100 LLC
While your home may receive multiple offers, staging can help it stand out among similar properties in the area. This can attract more potential buyers and potentially result in higher offers. Staging can help buyers envision themselves living in the space and can create an emotional connection to the property This can attract more potential buyers and potentially result in higher offers.
If you feel confident that your home will receive multiple offers regardless of staging and you would prefer to save the extra money, that may be a valid choice.
If you feel confident that your home will receive multiple offers regardless of staging and you would prefer to save the extra money, that may be a valid choice.
- 2 years ago
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Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty
Some agents swear by it and others do not care for staging. I show an average of 400 properties a year, for many buyers viewing a home empty is good. They can see where their stuff will go, etc. For larger homes (say 3K> SqFt) it can help to have it staged. However, a good staging company can be expensive. It is an extreme sellers market here in Tucson, AZ and not sure I would pay for the expense. For luxury listing, above $750K it might be an advantage to have it staged. Best of luck in your sale! Spirit
- 4 years ago
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Alfred Galvan
eXp Realty of California
Hello Harris, Yes, its the best idea to stage a home it sells faster and for a lot more in today's market, I have a stagging company that I use all the time and get the best discounts please let me know if I can help in anyway - Alfred
- 4 years ago
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Hector Gastelum
The Gastelum Organization
Your home is always competing vs. your neighbors. Lots of staging people will tell you how a staged home will sell quicker and for less. I don't completely disagree with that fact but a lot has to do with the full time REALTOR, the commission you pay. Say you are paying the full 6% (3% to each REALTOR) commission and your neighbor is paying 4% (2% to each REALTOR), do you think your home will sell quicker paying 3% than a one that is staged but only paying 2%?
- 4 years ago
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Mohamed Hassan
NextHome
Absolutely. in a sellers market your home will sell either way and for good amount. The question is how much over ask can it go for?! and that makes all the difference. IF stagging makes more than one person fall in love with it, and 3-4 imagine how they would live there and their furniture fit, and 10-20 more buyers come to the open open to see this home, which makes everyone thinks it will go for way over from how busy it is. Then whatever you spent on stagging will be 2-10X. In a hot sellers market I had a remodeled home with full stagging go for 15% over list price which was already at comps, property only appraised 10% above the other comps max, and buyer paid out the 5% over out of pocket. This home sold for $1.675M
- 4 months ago
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Colleen Cotter
Vanguard Properties
Staging is always a good strategy. The home will show better, and will therefore attract more Buyers, and more Buyers = higher price. It is an investment in your sale & will increase your ROI!
- 2 years ago
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Suzanne Damon
The Damon Home Team-EXP Real Estate
The better your home looks the more "eyeballs" that will be on your property. If you think you have a product that will get all the eyeballs without "staging", go for it! be sure to give your home a professional cleaning before buyers take a look.
- 4 years ago
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Rafay Qamar
Compass
Hi according to NAR a property will sell for more money and quicker if it is move in ready and staged. It's always a good idea to stage no matter the market in my opinion especially if youre trying to maximize the value. Hope this helps! if you have any other questions, I can be reached at 773-516-1111. I run a 25 broker team selling well over $150 million annually and do over 400+ transactions so extremely savvy when it comes to different scenarios. Good luck with your journey!
- 4 years ago
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Sara Andrews Hartz
The Real Estate Group
No matter the market you will always get the return and then some when staging a home. I offer staging services at no charge to you with my listing.
- 4 years ago
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Matthew Chapman
Matthew Chapman With Windermere
Absolutely — and here’s why.
Even in a strong seller’s market, where homes are moving quickly, staging isn’t about whether the home will sell — it’s about how much it sells for and how fast. In Seattle and Bellevue, buyers are paying premium prices, and presentation still plays a massive role in driving emotional connection and competition.
When a home is staged well, it photographs beautifully online, which is where over 95% of buyers start their search. That first impression determines whether they swipe past or schedule a showing. Once they’re in the door, staging helps them picture their life there — and that emotional pull often translates into stronger offers, sometimes multiple offers, and better terms.
I’ve seen it firsthand: staged homes almost always outperform non-staged ones, even when the market is tilted in the seller’s favor. The data backs it up too — staged homes tend to sell faster and for 5–10% more on average.
So yes, in a seller’s market, staging isn’t an extra — it’s part of the strategy. It’s one of those “art meets science” pieces of the process that helps you capture top dollar while minimizing days on market.
Even in a strong seller’s market, where homes are moving quickly, staging isn’t about whether the home will sell — it’s about how much it sells for and how fast. In Seattle and Bellevue, buyers are paying premium prices, and presentation still plays a massive role in driving emotional connection and competition.
When a home is staged well, it photographs beautifully online, which is where over 95% of buyers start their search. That first impression determines whether they swipe past or schedule a showing. Once they’re in the door, staging helps them picture their life there — and that emotional pull often translates into stronger offers, sometimes multiple offers, and better terms.
I’ve seen it firsthand: staged homes almost always outperform non-staged ones, even when the market is tilted in the seller’s favor. The data backs it up too — staged homes tend to sell faster and for 5–10% more on average.
So yes, in a seller’s market, staging isn’t an extra — it’s part of the strategy. It’s one of those “art meets science” pieces of the process that helps you capture top dollar while minimizing days on market.
- 22 hours ago
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Katie Euler
Remax platinum
I think staging personally would be a waste just because people are buying homes and it is a red hot sellers market i honestly think it would be more Unnecessary work and money for you in the long run since homes are selling so fast regardless.
- 4 years ago
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Mary Dover
Coldwell Banker Realty
Absolutely a good idea to stage. Some buyers lack the ability to see the space and the potential to transform it. The furnishings and staging simply put, could bring you more money.
- 4 years ago
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Jeanne Hochhalter
@Properties
YES! Stage your home, it can be a minimal amount like clearing clutter, moving items, removing items, a different furniture configuration. I am a certified home stager and agent, it always pays to stage.
- 2 years ago
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Judy Bibbings
eXp Realty LLC
Sometimes all you need to do is declutter and that will make a world of difference
Less is more
Less to distract the buyer"s eye
makes home look larger>
Less is more
Less to distract the buyer"s eye
makes home look larger>
- 4 years ago
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