Staging can be the difference between selling a property quickly and for top dollar or watching it linger on the market, cutting into your profits. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through why staging works, how it impacts buyer psychology, and the key rooms to focus on for maximum return on investment. Whether you’re wondering if virtual staging is enough or trying to figure out the perfect timing for staging, I’ll share my personal tips and strategies to ensure you’re setting your property up for success. If you’re serious about scaling your real estate investments and maximizing your returns, this is a must-read!
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Staging can be the difference between a quick, profitable sale and a property that lingers on the market, but is it worth the investment for real estate investors? Let’s find out. And I want you to stick around to the end because I’m going to show you my number one tip that I have learned from my own experience about staging success should you decide to move on with staging.
So staging is going to come up when you sell your property. Staging pops up when you decide to sell a property. Selling a property is a really strategic move in your real estate journey. It’s often a key step in leveling up your portfolio and reaching your investment goals.
It’s funny. We all think when we buy our first investment property that we’re going to have it until we die, and our children are going to get the step-up in basis and it’s going to be amazing. And then once you get a few years under your belt as an investor or a few properties, you evolve. You level up. And just like most people don’t live in their first house for their entire lives, most real estate investors don’t keep their first investment property for their entire lives either.
So we often come to the point of selling, and that’s when we need to consider staging. Now, I, as a real estate agent and investor, believe 100% in staging, and I want to share through this video why so that you, as an investor, can also see that and hopefully take advantage of it because it should help you make more money. Staging a house makes the home sale process smoother. It helps you sell the house faster, which feels good and makes it less work and less time for you. And it brings you more money. And this we have seen statistically. It’s not just anecdotal. They have evaluated it and seen that that’s all the case. But let’s talk about why it works, when it’s worth it, and how to do it effectively—all those details you need in order to do it well.
Staging is more than just decorating. It’s really about creating an emotional connection between buyers and the property so that they can see themselves in that home, so they can see people living there, and they can want to buy it. Now you may counter and say, well, I’m selling an investment property, and the next buyer is likely an investor as well. They still want to see that house look its best and see what it would be like for people to live there. And even for investors, staging the property helps them envision that and makes it so that your house sells faster and for more money.
One of the really important things that we want to keep in mind with staging—or one of the aspects of psychology that comes into play here—is first impressions. Buyers are often forming an opinion within seconds of walking into that home, and staging helps ensure that that first impression is a positive one. That’s part of why staging often includes the front porch or that entryway.
Why does staging help? Why can’t people just do it themselves? Well, many buyers struggle to envision an empty space as a home. Staging gives context. It shows how rooms could be used. It shows how much furniture can fit in there because empty rooms often look smaller, and it makes the property feel more inviting.
You may have noticed stagers use nice furniture, right? The houses always look really nice. Staging also taps into the psychology of aspiration. When buyers see a beautifully staged home, they picture themselves living there, and they’re more likely to make an offer. We don’t stage homes with your old couch from college or your parents’ hand-me-downs. When buyers walk in, they may be living in a house with an old couch from college or their parents’ hand-me-downs, but they think, “Wow, if I moved into this house, I could have a beautiful couch like this one. I could have a beautiful home like this one.” It really creates a vision of a life that they could have there.
And even for investors, having that staging shows, hey, this could be a home for someone. This looks nice. I could have a beautiful investment property like this one looks like, right? Everybody has an ego, and this taps into it. There’s data to back this up. According to the National Association of Realtors, 82% of buyers’ agents say staging makes it easier for their buyers to visualize the property as their future home.
So we agree that staging is going to help you sell the house faster and for more money. But is it going to make you money? As an investor, every dollar you spend needs to show a return. And here’s why staging is often worth the investment. As you know, if a house sits on the market, it usually has price drops. Staged homes sell faster. A professionally staged home spends 73% less time on the market compared to those without staging, according to professional staging statistics. Staged homes sell for 25% more money than homes without staging.
While you will spend some money on staging, you’re going to make more money on the home sale, and it’s going to more than pay for itself. The good news is you don’t have to stage the entire house. Most stagers offer packages that focus on high-impact rooms, and it’s a very affordable package.
What are those key rooms to stage? First, the living room. Staging this room is the most important to buyers, with 39% saying it’s their top priority. Second, the kitchen—often the deal maker or breaker. Staging here highlights the functionality and appeal. The dining room is often included with the kitchen in a stager’s package so buyers can see the flow between those spaces. Finally, the master suite. Buyers want to see a retreat-like feel. These are the key high-impact areas, and you can usually get them staged for a pretty affordable rate depending on your market.
Now, let’s handle some common questions about staging. One of the top ones is, what about virtual staging? I’m personally not a fan. While virtual staging may look nice in photos, it often falls short in person. Buyers are still physically touring properties, and an empty home feels cold and uninviting. Physical staging is so much more effective at creating that emotional connection that leads to offers. People are buying a home, not a house, and physical staging makes them feel at home.
The last part I want to share is the importance of timing. Timing is everything when it comes to staging. Once you know you’re going to sell a property, start talking to the stage early. They’re often booked out weeks in advance, so plan ahead. Coordinate staging before professional photos are taken to maximize the impact of your listing.
In conclusion, staging is not an expense—it’s an investment that helps you sell faster and for more money. By focusing on high-impact rooms and planning ahead, you’re leveraging the psychology of home buying to your advantage. It’s a powerful tool that no investor should overlook.