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Home Staging Cost vs. Value Analysis
Staging is an expense on the front end and a return on the back end. Here is how the two compare.
The financial impact of home staging
Staging is an investment rather than an expense. National surveys put staged homes at 6 to 20% above non-staged comparables and 73% less time on the market, and those two factors together generally offset the initial cost. Both figures are survey averages, so treat them as a reason to run the numbers on your own listing rather than a promise about it.
Breakdown of staging costs
Cost varies with the size of your home, the amount of work needed, and how long the home will be listed. Typical items:
- Initial consultation fee
- Design and planning
- Furniture and decor rental
- Staging implementation
- Monthly maintenance, if applicable
Potential returns on investment
A worked example:
- Without staging. Home listed at $500,000. After several months on the market, the price is reduced to $480,000 to attract buyers.
- With staging. Initial staging cost is $3,000. The home sells within a few weeks at $510,000.
Staging not only prevented a price reduction but produced a higher sale price, a net gain of $27,000 after subtracting the staging cost.
Time savings equals money saved
Every day your home sits on the market costs you money in mortgage payments, utilities, and maintenance. Selling faster reduces those carrying costs.
Avoiding price reductions
Homes that linger on the market often face price reductions, and buyers perceive a long-listed home as less desirable. Staging helps you avoid that by generating interest quickly.