Why staging your home could be the smartest move you make before selling

By Theresa Bouchard

When homeowners decide to sell, most of the attention goes to price, curb appeal, and finding the right agent. But industry data increasingly points to a factor that gets overlooked far too often: staging. What was once considered a luxury reserved for high-end listings has become a mainstream strategy that can mean the difference between a home that lingers on the market and one that sells quickly, at a higher price.

Theresa Bouchard of TS Staging & Design says
staging is a strategic process intended to help
buyers connect with a home and visualize 
themselves living there.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Staging is often misunderstood as simply "making a house look nice." In reality, it's a strategic process designed to help buyers emotionally connect with a space and visualize themselves living there. A staged home tells a story, presenting each room as comfortable yet functional, highlighting architectural characteristics, and minimizing distractions like clutter, outdated features, imperfections, or overly personalized decor.

According to the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) Profile of Home Staging report, most buyers' agents say that staging a home makes it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home. The same report has consistently found that a significant share of sellers' agents believe staging increases the dollar value buyers are willing to offer, with many estimating gains ranging from 1 percent to 5 percent of the sale price. On a $400,000 home, even a conservative 1 percent bump translates into thousands of dollars – often far exceeding the cost of staging itself.

Time on market is another critical piece of the puzzle. NAR data has repeatedly shown that staged homes tend to sell faster than comparable nonstaged properties. In a competitive housing market, shaving even a few weeks off the selling timeline can save sellers money on carrying costs like mortgage payments, utilities, and taxes – not to mention the psychological toll of an extended sale process.

The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), a leading voice in the professional staging industry, has published research reinforcing these findings. RESA's studies have found that staged homes often sell significantly faster than non-staged homes, and that the return on investment for professional staging services can be substantial, frequently cited in the range of several hundred percent when comparing staging costs to the increased sale price and reduced carrying costs.

RESA has also emphasized that staging isn't just about aesthetics; it's about marketing. In a digital-first world where a vast majority of buyers begin their home search online, listing photos are often a home's first impression. A poorly presented, cluttered, or awkwardly furnished room can cause potential buyers to scroll past a listing before ever scheduling a showing. Staged homes photograph better, generate more online engagement, and typically result in more in-person showings.

Buying a home is one of the largest financial and emotional decisions most people make. Staging taps into buyer psychology by removing "friction points." Empty rooms can feel cold and lack a welcoming sense of comfort, personal photos and memorabilia can make it hard for buyers to imagine themselves in the space and poor furniture placement can make rooms look smaller than they actually are. Professional stagers use scale-appropriate furniture arranged to elevate the room, strategic lighting, and neutral yet warm color palettes to help every space feel purposeful and inviting.

Staging also helps address one of the most common buyer objections: the inability to visualize their own belongings in the home. Buyers often wonder whether their furniture will even fit a given space. When a home is staged, they spend less mental energy trying to "edit out" clutter and more time appreciating square footage, natural light, and the flow between rooms. They see a turn-key and move-in-ready home – and an offer follows.

Sellers sometimes hesitate to invest in staging because of upfront costs, but the data suggests that skipping staging can be the costlier choice. Homes that sit on the market longer often require price reductions, and buyers frequently interpret a stale listing as a red flag, leaving them to wonder if something is wrong with the property. In many cases, the cost of a price reduction far outweighs what a full staging package would cost from the outset.

Given the stakes, more sellers are turning to professional staging companies to maximize their results. One such company making an impact in the industry is TS Staging and Design, known for helping homeowners transform their properties into market-ready showpieces. TS Staging and Design works closely with sellers and real estate agents to create tailored staging plans that highlight a home's best features while appealing to the broadest possible pool of buyers.

From full-service furniture staging to consultations on decluttering, paint colors, and minor updates that yield the biggest visual impact, TS Staging and Design brings a trained eye and industry insight to every project. Their approach reflects exactly what NAR and RESA data suggest: that thoughtful, professional staging isn't an expense – it's an investment that pays dividends in both speed and sale price.

For homeowners preparing to list their property, the message from the data is clear: staging matters. Whether working with a full-service company or making smaller strategic updates, presenting a home at its absolute best can be the difference between an offer that meets expectations and one that falls short.

If you’re preparing to sell your home or simply planning a refresh, TS Staging and Design is here to help. This year’s Eagle Choice Award winner for Interior Design/Home Staging, TS Staging and Design is located at 630 Roosevelt Trail, Unit 2, in Windham. Its local home staging and interior design team would be delighted to assist with any project that comes your way. We welcome the opportunity to bring out the best in your home and help you take the next step with confidence. Contact Theresa at 207-400-9393. <