Staging a home to help it sell has been a tactic in the real estate industry since the 1970s, but it only gained widespread popularity in the early 2000s, partly thanks to HGTV. Some people swear by it as a crucial part of the sale process, while others hesitate at the idea of spending more money on real estate they're trying to sell and make a profit from.

We'll walk you through what home staging entails, cost considerations, and the benefits to help you decide if it's right for you.

What Is Home Staging?

Home staging, also called homestyling or property styling, is the process of making a home look its best for potential buyers to help it sell faster and/or for more money.

Home staging sometimes involves making small repairs throughout the home followed by cosmetic updates like painting. Decluttering and decorating the home with furniture and art to show the space in the best possible light is the main goal. Good staging makes a home seem larger and have better flow.

What Does Home Staging Cost?

Pricing can vary from hundreds of dollars to thousands. Factors that can affect the price of staging can include:

• The size of your home
• How many rooms you want staged
• How long you have it staged

The cost can also be affected by factors such as whether you use some of your own furniture or rent it all from the staging company. Putting your furniture and other possessions into storage while you are selling your home is another potential cost of home staging.

What Are the Benefits of Home Staging?

• Makes your home look well taken care of
• Shows your home in the best possible light
• Allows buyers to see themselves there
• Helps sell your home faster and for more money

Realtor.com reports that staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more than nonstaged homes on average. Here are more great stats from the National Association of Realtors that show the impact staging your home can have.

Is Staging Your Home Worth It?

So, is staging your home worth the time and expense? It depends.

If your home is $300,000 or more, many realtors recommend it to help the home sell faster, but if your home is less than $300,000 it might not be worth the financial investment. Advice from your realtor and your personal moving budget should dictate your final decision.

Can You Save Money on Home Staging?

If you're interested in staging your home but have a smaller budget, it doesn't necessarily mean you can't or shouldn't be able to take advantage of the benefits of staging.

Occupied staging — staging a home using furniture and art already in the home — costs far less than staging a vacant home with rented furnishings. For an occupied staging, the stager typically declutters the space and rearranges the furniture and art in a visually appealing way.

You can also ask the stager to only focus on a couple key rooms such as the living room (the most popular and impactful room to stage), dining room, family room, or master bedroom.

AAA Movers offers home decluttering and staging services because we strive to be your full-service Minnesota movers. Our services include decluttering and staging, secure storage, moving supplies, and local and long-distance moving. Contact us to get a quote on our staging or moving services today!