Although the market is ever-changing, there seems to be an old adage that rings true when it comes to listing your home for sale. First impressions are everything. And often for many prospective buyers, it’s the very thing that lends itself to a second look. Or not.
So, how do I create a great first impression and what exactly is home staging?
The concept is pretty simple. It’s much like we all learned as children. Pick up after yourself. Put things back where they belong. If it’s broken, fix it. If it’s not fixable, replace it. If it’s outdated, consider donating it. You kinda get the idea.
But, I’m moving out of my house. Why would I want to spend anything, much less my time and energy?
The answers are pretty simple and the benefits are pretty well documented for sellers.
Staging your home can result in a higher offer. It can reduce time on the market. It can help prospective buyers ‘take ownership’ of the home by allowing them to visualize how they would live in the property.
According to Melissa Dittmann Tracey in “Staging to Sell: The Real Estate Shift Toward Picture-Perfect Homes”, 83% of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for home buyers to visualize the property as their future home. Staging also makes a home look more move-in-ready – meaning that it doesn't seem to need a lot of work or repair before a new buyer could move in.
Staging a home makes it easier to market. It looks better in listing photos (where online shopping often is the first look for buyers) and it’s also more eye-catching when shared on social media, printed on flyers and displayed in other visual marketing mediums. As a result, staged homes typically sell faster. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 62% of agents say staging has an impact on a home's time on the market. ^
Real estate agents say home staging can help their sellers net more money for a home. About 30% of real estate professionals reported a 1% to 10% increase in home value that they attributed to staging (19% of listing agents said staging increased offers by 1%–5% over similar, un-staged homes and 10% of listing agents noting a 6%—10% increase).*
With all these documented benefits for sellers, why not stage your home? Here are a few suggestions for getting started:
1. Declutter, declutter, declutter. Clear surface areas and put things away. Consider small storage options for kids’ rooms or bathrooms.
2. Clean, clean, clean. A sparkling home is a winner, hands down!
3. Depersonalize the home. Remove personal photos, religious or faith-based items, sports memorabilia and pet items, for example.
4. If needed, consider carpet cleaning or paint touch-ups. Address minor repairs such as replacing outlet covers or re-grouting tile.
5. And don’t forget curb appeal! Consider any enhancements to the outside of the home with particular efforts towards landscaping.
Home staging may increase the likelihood that you'll sell your property and do so quickly, and for top dollar. It can also be beneficial when the market is particularly competitive for sellers by ensuring your home is memorable, beautiful and stands out from the rest.
Cottonwood Properties can help you with this important stage of the home selling process.
*REALTOR® Magazine Media Real Estate News
Staging to Sell: The Real Estate Shift Toward Picture-Perfect Homes
May 6, 2025 Staging, Design Trends, Design & Architecture: Melissa Dittmann Tracey
^What Is Home Staging and What Does It Cost?
Posted by Eddie Colley on
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