The ROI of Home Staging
What the data shows, what it doesn't, and how to think about it for your sale
September 2026 · 4 min read
Staging is often discussed as decoration. It's better understood as a financial decision: money spent before listing in exchange for a stronger sale. The research is encouraging, but the sources differ in what they measure, and a seller deserves to know the difference. Here's an honest look at both.
The Broad View: What Agents Report
The National Association of REALTORS®' 2025 Profile of Home Staging surveyed agents on both sides of the transaction. Among the findings:
- 29% of agents said staging increased the dollar value offered by 1% to 10% compared with similar unstaged homes.
- 49% of sellers' agents said staging reduced time on market: 30% saw a slight decrease and 19% a significant one.
- 83% of buyers' agents said staging made it easier for buyers to picture the home as their future home.
- The median cost of a professional staging service was $1,500.
It's worth reading those numbers carefully. Most agents did not report a price increase, and among buyers' agents, 41% said staging had no impact on the dollar value offered. Staging improves the odds and the experience; it doesn't guarantee a premium.
The Stager View: What Staged Sales Can Look Like
The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) publishes quarterly data submitted by professional stagers. Its first-quarter 2025 report covered 84 staged homes, with an average staging investment of $3,588, an average of 12 days on market, and an average sale price of 107% of list, which RESA calculates as $23.34 returned for every $1 spent. Its third-quarter 2025 report noted that staged homes between $750,000 and $1.49 million commonly sold for roughly 9% to 10% over list.
Where Staging Matters Most
Not every room returns equally. In NAR's 2025 research, buyers' agents rated the living room as the most important room to stage (37%), followed by the primary bedroom (34%) and the kitchen (23%), with the guest bedroom least important (7%). Sellers' agents most often staged the living room (91%), primary bedroom (83%), dining room (69%), and kitchen (68%). If the budget is limited, start with the rooms where buyers form their strongest impressions.
The Online First Impression
Most buyers decide whether to see a home from its listing photos. A well-staged home photographs better, and the photos are what earn the showing. Staging and photography aren't separate decisions; the quality of the photos depends largely on the quality of what's in front of the camera.
The Cost of Not Staging
The staging conversation usually focuses on what it adds. It's just as useful to consider what an unprepared listing costs: fewer showings, lower opening offers, more friction after inspection, and more time on the market.
Each month on the market carries real carrying costs: mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and HOA dues. Ask your lender to estimate your monthly figure and compare it with the cost of preparation. If staging shortens your time on market even modestly, it can offset much of its own cost before any price effect is counted.
What Staging Cannot Do
Staging doesn't change a home's location, floor plan, structural condition, or the supply and demand in its market. A home priced well above its value won't sell because it's beautifully staged, and significant deferred maintenance raises objections that presentation can't answer.
What staging does is remove the presentation barriers that keep a well-priced, well-maintained home from reaching its full potential. It works best alongside the other two variables a seller controls: accurate pricing and sound condition.
The better question isn't "What will staging cost?" It's "What will an unprepared listing cost?"
Preparing Your Listing for Its Best Return
Every listing consultation with Marissa Cartwright at Cartwright Realty, LLC includes a complimentary staging and color assessment, and staging through Cartwright Decor is included with the premium listing service. Contact Marissa at (910) 777-4759 to discuss your home.
Request a consultation or email Marissa directly
Sources
- National Association of REALTORS®, 2025 Profile of Home Staging: www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-05/2025-profile-of-home-staging-05-06-2025.pdf
- National Association of REALTORS®, press release on the 2025 Profile of Home Staging (May 6, 2025): www.nar.realtor/press-releases/nar-report-reveals-home-staging-boosts-sale-prices-and-reduces-time-on-market
- Real Estate Staging Association, Home Staging Statistics and Quarterly Market Insights (Q1 and Q3 2025): realestatestagingassociation.com/statistics
Equal Housing Opportunity. This article is general information, not legal, tax, lending, or insurance advice. Survey results reflect respondents' reported experiences; individual results vary by property and market.