Home buyers, many of whom are stretching their budgets to the max, are clamoring for move-in-ready properties that don’t require extra repair expenses. Home staging can boost the move-in-ready appeal and sway buyers—even if the home isn’t in pristine condition, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2023 Profile of Home Staging.
“Buyers want to easily envision themselves within a new home, and home staging is a way to showcase the property in its best light,” says Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief economist and vice president of research.
Here are five highlights from the report:
- Forty-eight percent of seller’s agents say staging decreases a property’s time on the market.
- Twenty percent of buyer’s and seller’s agents say staging increases the dollar value of offers by 1% to 5% compared to similar homes that aren’t staged.
- Eighty-one percent of buyer’s agents say staging a home makes it easier for clients to visualize themselves living in a property.
- Fifty-five percent of all agents say buyers expect homes to emulate properties they see on TV shows.
- Agents say the most important rooms to stage are the living room, primary bedroom and kitchen.
10 To-Dos Before Listing
The home improvement items real estate agents say they most recommend to their clients before listing a property:
- Declutter: 96%
- Entire home cleaning: 88%
- Remove pets during showings: 83%
- Professional photos: 73%
- Minor repairs: 72%
- Carpet cleaning: 71%
- Depersonalize home: 65%
- Painting: 58%
- Landscaping: 50%
- Grouting: 30%
Source: “2023 Profile of Home Staging,” National Association of REALTORS®