HGTV. Home shows. Instagram. Pinterest.

What do they all have in common?

They raise buyer’s expectations about what homes should look like.

According to the 2021 Profile of Home Staging:

63% of real estate professionals said their buyers request a home that looks similar to those staged on TV, and
68% said their buyers were disappointed by how homes appeared compared to their expectations.

But that’s not all the survey found. Keep reading to learn why staging is an essential step in catching the eye of potential buyers!

Online World

People spend a great deal of time online. This is where they source their inspiration for home design, and it’s also where they begin their home buying journey. Ensuring your home is staged for listing photos, virtual tours, and showings can make a significant difference when selling.

“Staging a home helps consumers see the full potential of a given space or property,” says Jessica Lautz, NAR’s vice president of demographics and behavioral insights. “It features the home in its best light and helps would-be buyers envision its various possibilities.”

Impact of Staging for Sellers

Most sellers’ agents reported that staging a home has a positive impact on the dollar value offered, with 23% of agents staging has an increase of 1% to 5% offered.

In addition to an increase in the amount offered for the home, staging can decrease the time the property is on the market. Of the agents surveyed, 31% said staging greatly decrease the time the property spent on the market, and 22% said it slightly decrease time on the market.

Staging Recommendations

Staging can sound like an expensive and timely task, but sellers don’t have to go overboard. According to the survey, the most important rooms to stage are the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen.

As far as home improvement, unless your agent has specific recommendations, the three most important tasks agents believe you need to tackle are: