Professional staging — when you bring in an outside designer to redesign all or some of your home prior to listing — can be an effective selling strategy. It drives interest by making your home more appealing and marketable to a higher number of buyers, which can increase the likelihood of an offer.
But many sellers are unfamiliar with the staging process, and how much it costs.
A recent article from realtor.com broke down the financial aspects of staging, including:
- How much does staging cost? While costs vary from one staging professional to another, on average, you can expect to spend between $300 and $600 for the initial design consultation, plus $500 to $600 per month for each staged room. Many stagers also require a 3-month minimum contract, even if your home sells faster.
- How much value does staging add to your home? There’s no denying staging is expensive; the article estimates staging for a 2000-square foot home will cost $7200. But it also adds value to the home, which can help you sell it at a higher price. While there’s no universal amount that staging will add to the value, according to a 2023 report from the National Association of REALTORS®, “twenty percent of buyers’ agents said that staging a home increased the dollar value offered between one and five percent, compared to other similar homes on the market that were not staged.”
- How can you save money on staging? Want to stage your home, but you’re working on a tight budget? You can try saving some money by only staging main areas/rooms of the home — like the living room and master bedroom — or hire a stager for the initial design consultation, and then implement their recommendations yourself.
Home staging can be a powerful tool for attracting buyers and potentially increasing your selling price. By weighing the costs against the potential benefits, you can decide if it's the right strategy for your home-selling journey.
