Why Staging Your Home Can Make a Huge Difference

When it comes to selling your home, a great first impression is everything. That’s where staging comes in. Even partially staging your home can lead to more favorable outcomes. Read on to find out why this step in the selling process can be so beneficial.

Enhanced Visual Appeal

The majority of home buyers first look at homes online when starting their search. While professional photography is part of that equation, so is the way your home is displayed. Staging optimizes your home’s appearance by decluttering, depersonalizing, and carefully arranging items and furniture to create a visually appealing space. It also creates a welcoming environment for potential homebuyers, allowing them to easily imagine living in your home. In a 2023 study, 81% of buyers’ agents stated that staging a home made it easier for their clients to see a property as their future home. Furthermore, when a home is staged, each room’s best features are strategically highlighted, making the strongest possible first impression. You want to showcase a move-in-ready appearance and create intentional spaces that evoke positive emotions.

More Favorable Outcomes

Staged homes tend to sell for more and in less time than homes that are not either partially or fully staged. According to the National Association of Realtors® 2025 Profile of Home Staging, 49% of sellers’ agents stated that home staging reduced the time homes spent on the market. Additionally, staged homes typically receive a 1% to 10% increase in the dollar value offered.

If you’re thinking of partially staging your home, that same NAR report found that the most commonly staged rooms were:

living room (91%)
primary bedroom (83%)
dining room (69%)
kitchen (68%)

Which rooms were most important to buyers to be staged? The results were:

living room (37%)
primary bedroom (34%)
kitchen (23%)

Expertly Showcasing Your Home’s Value

Staging minimizes any negative aspects of your home and maximizes its strengths. By doing so, it increases the property’s overall perceived value. No home is perfect, but you want to draw attention to why your home is such a wonderful place to live. In fact, buyers are typically more willing to overlook minor property faults when a home is staged. Transparency and honesty are always of paramount importance, so this does not mean hiding structural issues or repairs that need to be made. But you can expertly shine a light on your home’s many advantages and features while also providing a detailed pre-inspection report.

Staging Can Save You Money in the Long Run

Staging is an upfront investment. According to Home Advisor, the normal range for staging a home in Washington is $1,481 – $2,708. What factors into this cost? It includes professional staging fees, cleaning, repairs, the size of the home, and furnishings.

While this may seem like quite the price tag, it may help you in the long run if it sells faster because you’ll reduce the carrying costs associated with owning that home (mortgage payments, utilities, etc.). Staging can also help you avoid the need for price reductions.

In essence, staging is a strategic investment. When done well, it can enhance the selling process, selling your home faster, at a higher price point. It can create a more beneficial experience for both the seller and the buyer.

If you’re interested in staging your home but worried about the cost, check out the Windermere Ready program. It provides expert guidance along with an upfront investment to help strategically prepare your home for the market.

Additional Info

For more information about how to successfully sell your home, check out our digital flipbook below. If you have any questions, reach out to one of our highly rated real estate agents at Windermere Silverdale.