By Weiting Yu, Texas-licensed agent (TREC #787385) · Updated November 13, 2026
What does the research say?
NAR surveyed its members in February 2025 and received 1,266 responses.
| Finding | Share of agents |
|---|---|
| Buyers' agents who said staging makes it easier to picture the home as their own | 83% |
| Agents who saw a 1% to 10% increase in the dollar value offered | 29% |
| Sellers' agents who saw less time on market | 49% |
| Buyers' agents who rated listing photos highly important | 73% |
Read those numbers carefully. They are agents' opinions, not a controlled test, and 29% reporting a higher offer means most agents did not report one.
Which rooms matter most?
Buyers' agents ranked the living room first (37%), then the primary bedroom (34%) and the kitchen (23%). Guest bedrooms came last at 7%. If you stage, stage those three rooms and stop.
What does staging cost?
NAR's median was $1,500 when a staging service was used and $500 when the listing agent did it. Vacant homes cost more than the median because furniture is rented by the month, so ask for the monthly rate and the minimum term before you sign.
When does staging pay?
- The home is vacant. Empty rooms photograph small, and buyers struggle to judge scale.
- The market is slow. With five or more months of inventory, buyers compare your home with many others.
- The layout is unusual. Furniture shows what an odd room is for.
- The price is high. On a $1.2 million home, a 1% lift is $12,000 against a few thousand in cost.
When can you skip it?
- The home is occupied, tidy and furnished in a neutral way.
- The price is low enough that a 1% lift would not cover the cost.
- The home will sell as a remodel or for the lot.
What can you do for free?
- Remove a third of the furniture and most of what is on the walls.
- Clear every counter and shelf.
- Fix lighting: one bulb color, every fixture working.
- Deep clean, including windows.
- Follow a photo-day checklist.
What about virtual staging?
It costs far less than furniture rental and works well for vacant rooms online. NAR's agents were lukewarm: 34% of sellers' agents rated it less important. Label virtually staged photos as such, and include a photo of the empty room, so buyers are not surprised at the showing.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for staging?
The seller, in most listings. Ask any agent what is included before you sign.
Is staging included in KAT Realty Group's listing fee?
No. Our $5,999 full-service flat fee (homes under $900,000; higher-priced homes have their own fixed fee) includes professional photography, yard sign, lockbox and marketing. Staging is quoted separately at cost and you choose whether to buy it. Sellers pay $600 at listing signing and the balance at closing, only if the home sells.
How long should staging stay?
Until the option period ends, in case the first contract falls through.
Does staging change the appraisal?
Appraisers value the property, not the furniture. Staging affects what buyers offer.
Source: NAR, 2025 Profile of Home Staging.
