Why Staging Beats an Empty House: Real Insights + Stats
Selling your home is more than just listing it—it’s about presenting it. Empty homes often feel cold and impossible to visualize. Staging, on the other hand, transforms spaces into welcoming and aspirational environments that buyers can emotionally connect with. Let’s explore why staging is such a game-changer—and what the data shows.
1. Faster sales — often 70–90% faster
- A study by RESA (Real Estate Staging Association) of over 1,000 homes found vacant homes averaged 184 days on market, but once staged, that dropped to 41 days—while those pre-staged sold in just 23 days: a dramatic 90% reduction in market time
- The Home Staging Institute reports staged homes sell 73% faster than unstaged ones
2. Higher sale prices — typically 1–10% more
- The National Association of Realtors (NAR) notes 29% of agents say staging led to offers 1–10% higher than similar, unstaged homes
- Specifically, 17–20% of buyers’ and sellers’ agents reported increases of 1–5% due to staging
- The Zebra shows 85% of staged homes sold for 5–23% over list; many delivered an 8–10% ROI
- RESA found that investing 1.3% of a home’s value in staging returned 7.1% over the listing price on average
3. Better buyer visualization — emotional connection matters
- NAR reports 83% of buyer’s agents said staging made it easier to envision living in the home
- 77% of buyers’ agents agree staging helps crafting that mental “I could move in” narrative
- Nearly 1 in 10 buyers can visualize a space empty—but staging helps bridge that gap for the remaining
4. Online impressions & foot traffic
- Staged homes often receive 10% more online views, with 41% of buyers more likely to visit in person after seeing staged photos
- 73% of agents rank listing photos as very important; staging boosts photo quality and engagement
5. Cost vs. payoff: staging as a strategic investment
- Median cost for full staging services: about $1,500, or $500 for agent-led DIY staging
- That equates to roughly 1% of listing price (hide-around real estate’s sweet spot), yet data shows sellers often recoup 5–15% more
6. Why empty homes fall short
- Vacant spaces appear cold, smaller, and lack emotional “”anchor points”
- Buyers touring an empty house often spend 70% less time, indicating lack of interest or connection
7. Standout rooms worth staging
According to NAR (2025):
- Living room (staged in ~91% of homes �)
- Primary bedroom (~83%)
- Dining room (~69%)
- Kitchen (~68%)
These areas yield the highest perceived impact for buyers
Staging Isn’t an Expense—It’s a Strategic Investment �
Even a modest investment in staging—whether professional or agent-led—can pay for itself through faster moves, increased offers, and heightened buyer enthusiasm. For sellers aiming to maximize outcomes, staging isn’t just worthwhile, it’s often essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is staging worth it for high-end homes?
A: Absolutely. While the staging cost is higher in upscale markets, the ROI often scales with price—making it highly effective for premium
Q: Can I just stage virtually?
A: Virtual staging is cheaper (~$100/room), but may lead to buyer disappointment at tour time. It helps online engagement but doesn’t replace physical staging
Q: What if I’m living in the home during staging?
A: It can disrupt daily life and moving. But decluttering and early staging often prompt faster packing and help smooth the move
Sources
- National Association of Realtors – 2025 Profile of Home Staging
https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/profile-of-home-staging - National Association of Realtors – Why Home Staging Inspires the Best Prices
https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/styled-staged-sold/why-home-staging-inspires-the-best-prices-in-any-housing-market - National Association of Realtors – 2025 Staging Report Press Release
https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/nar-report-reveals-home-staging-boosts-sale-prices-and-reduces-time-on-market - Home Staging Institute – Staging Statistics
https://homestaginginstitute.com/home-staging-statistics/ - The Zebra – Home Staging ROI Statistics
https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/home-staging-statistics/ - Heather’s Houses – Do Houses Sell Better Staged or Empty?
https://heathershouses.com/do-houses-sell-better-staged-or-empty/ - Robin Realty Group – Staging a Home: What’s the Big Deal?
https://www.robinrealtygroup.com/post/staging-a-home-whats-the-big-deal - Kimberlee Real Estate – 2024 Home Staging Statistics
https://kimberleerealestate.com/blog/title-2024-home-staging-statistics-why-staging-is-key-to-selling-your-home-this-year - Bankrate – How Much Does Home Staging Cost?
https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/how-much-does-home-staging-cost/ - GlobeNewswire – NAR Staging Report Highlights
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/05/06/3075133/0/en/NAR-Report-Reveals-Home-Staging-Boosts-Sale-Prices-and-Reduces-Time-on-Market.html - Wall Street Journal – Does Staging Help Homes Sell for More?
https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/does-staging-your-house-really-help-it-sell-for-more-money-37f55b72 - The Times UK – I Spent £11,000 on Staging My Home to Sell
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-spent-11000-on-staging-my-home-to-sell-r0fw92fgj
