27 Home Staging Statistics Every Real Estate Agent Needs to Know in 2026

Home staging increases sale prices by 1-10% and reduces time on market by up to 73%, according to the National Association of Realtors and the Real Estate Staging Association. These aren't just nice-to-haves—they're competitive advantages that separate top-performing agents from the rest.

But don't take our word for it. We've compiled the most current, cited statistics on home staging so you can make data-driven decisions for your listings.

Ready to see what the numbers say? Let's dive in.

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General Home Staging Statistics
ROI and Sale Price Statistics
Days on Market Statistics
Buyer Perception Statistics
Virtual Staging Statistics
Room-Specific Staging Statistics
Agent and Seller Statistics
Cost Statistics
How to Use These Statistics
FAQ

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General Home Staging Statistics

These foundational stats show why staging has become standard practice in real estate marketing.

1. 83% of buyers' agents say staging helps buyers visualize a property as their future home.

According to the National Association of Realtors' 2025 Profile of Home Staging, the vast majority of buyer agents recognize staging's impact on client decision-making.

2. 81% of buyers' agents say staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize the property online.

In a market where 97% of buyers start their search online, this statistic underscores why staged listing photos aren't optional anymore. (Source: NAR 2025)

3. 58% of sellers' agents believe staging increases the dollar value of offers.

More than half of listing agents have seen direct evidence that staging impacts offer amounts. (Source: NAR 2025)

4. Only 8% of sellers' agents say staging has no impact on buyer perception.

The overwhelming consensus: staging works. (Source: NAR 2025)

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ROI and Sale Price Statistics

Here's where staging pays for itself—literally.

5. 29% of sellers' agents report that staging increased offers by 1-10% compared to similar unstaged homes.

On a $500,000 listing, that's $5,000-$50,000 in additional value. (Source: NAR 2025)

6. 75% of sellers who invested in staging saw an ROI of 5-15% over asking price.

Three-quarters of staged home sellers exceeded their target price. (Source: Real Estate Staging Association 2024)

7. Staged homes sell for an average of $40,000 more than unstaged homes.

This figure from RESA represents the median increase across markets. Your mileage may vary, but the direction is clear.

8. The average staging investment returns 8-10% of the home's sale price.

For a relatively small upfront cost, sellers capture significant value. (Source: NAR Research)

9. 23% of sellers' agents report staging increased offers by 1-5%.

Even at the conservative end, staging pays dividends. (Source: NAR 2025)

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Days on Market Statistics

Time is money in real estate. These stats show how staging accelerates sales.

10. 49% of sellers' agents say staging decreases time on market.

Nearly half of all listing agents have witnessed faster sales from staged properties. (Source: NAR 2025)

11. Staged homes spend 73% less time on market than unstaged homes.

This is one of the most striking statistics in real estate marketing. (Source: Real Estate Staging Association)

12. Unstaged homes sit on market an average of 184 days. Staged homes average 23 days.

The difference is 161 days—over five months of carrying costs, price reductions, and stale listing syndrome. (Source: RESA 2024)

13. 28% of sellers' agents report a slight decrease in days on market from staging.

Even modest improvements in selling speed translate to real savings for sellers. (Source: NAR 2025)

14. Homes staged before listing sell 87% faster than those staged after sitting on market.

Timing matters. Stage before you list, not as a rescue strategy. (Source: RESA)

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Think about it: if staging cuts your days on market by even 30 days, that's a month of mortgage payments, utilities, and maintenance your seller doesn't pay.

Virtual staging through platforms like StageChimp costs under $50 for a whole home. The math practically does itself.

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Buyer Perception Statistics

What do buyers actually think when they see staged versus empty listings?

15. 81% of buyers find it easier to visualize staged properties as their future home.

Buyers don't just prefer staging—they need it to make emotional connections. (Source: NAR 2025)

16. 47% of buyers say staging positively affected their perception of the home.

Nearly half of buyers explicitly acknowledge staging's impact on their feelings about a property. (Source: NAR)

17. Buyers spend 40% more time in staged homes during showings.

Longer showings mean deeper emotional investment. (Source: RESA)

18. 95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less.

When buyers connect emotionally, they act fast. (Source: RESA 2024)

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Virtual Staging Statistics

Virtual staging is the fastest-growing segment of the staging industry. Here's why.

19. Virtual staging costs up to 97% less than traditional physical staging.

A whole-home physical staging runs $2,500-5,000+. Virtual staging costs $25-300. (Source: The Zebra 2025)

20. Virtual staging delivers results in under 24 hours—often under 30 seconds with AI tools.

Physical staging takes 5-14 days to coordinate. Virtual staging happens before your coffee gets cold.

21. 85% of virtually staged homes sell faster than non-staged homes.

Virtual staging produces comparable results to physical staging at a fraction of the cost. (Source: Real Estate Marketing Industry Research)

22. Listings with virtually staged photos receive 40% more online engagement.

More clicks, more saves, more showing requests. (Source: Real Estate Photography Association)

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This is exactly why we built StageChimp. AI-powered virtual staging in under 30 seconds, 4K resolution, unlimited style options.

No waiting for designers. No $100-per-image fees. Just upload, stage, download.

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Room-Specific Staging Statistics

Not all rooms carry equal weight. Here's where to focus your staging budget.

23. 37% of buyers say the living room is the most important room to stage.

The living room sets the emotional tone for the entire home. Stage it first, always. (Source: NAR 2025)

24. 34% of buyers say the primary bedroom is the most important room to stage.

Buyers imagine waking up in this space. An empty primary bedroom feels cold and uninviting. (Source: NAR 2025)

25. 23% of buyers say the kitchen is the most important room to stage.

Kitchens are harder to stage since cabinetry already fills the space—but lifestyle touches make a difference. (Source: NAR 2025)

26. Only 7% of buyers consider guest bedroom staging important.

Skip the secondary bedrooms if budget is tight. Focus on living room and primary. (Source: NAR 2025)

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Agent and Seller Statistics

What are agents and sellers actually doing when it comes to staging?

27. 26% of sellers' agents stage all homes before listing.

About one in four listing agents have made staging a standard practice. (Source: NAR 2025)

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The other 74%? They're leaving money on the table.

With virtual staging now available at under $10 per image, there's no longer a cost barrier. The only barrier is awareness—and now you have the data.

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Cost Statistics

Let's talk real numbers on what staging actually costs.

Physical staging costs:

$500-800 per room for furniture rental and setup
$500-800 per month in ongoing rental fees
$200-400 for removal after sale
Total for 45-day listing: $2,500-4,500+

Virtual staging costs:

$5-50 per image with AI platforms
$0 monthly fees
$0 removal costs
Total for whole home: $25-300

The cost difference is 90-97%. The results? Comparable.

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How to Use These Statistics

Data is only valuable if you act on it. Here's how to put these statistics to work.

In listing presentations: Share the NAR stat that 83% of buyers' agents say staging helps visualization. It's authoritative and compelling.

In pricing discussions: Reference the 1-10% increase in offers. Help sellers see staging as an investment, not an expense.

When sellers hesitate on cost: Point to virtual staging. Under $300 for a whole home removes the objection entirely.

In your marketing: Use before/after staged photos in social media. The 40% engagement increase stat backs up this strategy.

When competing for listings: Agents who stage win more listings. The data proves the value—use it.

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FAQ

How much does home staging increase home value?

According to NAR's 2025 data, 29% of agents report staging increases offers by 1-10%. The Real Estate Staging Association reports an average ROI of 5-15% over asking price.

Is staging worth it for sellers?

Yes. 75% of sellers who staged saw ROI of 5-15% over asking. Even at the low end (1% increase on a $400,000 home = $4,000), staging typically returns far more than it costs.

How much does staging cost?

Physical staging costs $2,500-5,000+ for a typical home. Virtual staging costs $25-300 for a whole home—up to 97% less.

Does virtual staging work as well as physical staging?

For online marketing (where 97% of buyers start), virtual staging produces comparable engagement and visualization benefits. Physical staging adds value during in-person showings.

What rooms should I stage first?

Living room (37% of buyers say most important), primary bedroom (34%), and kitchen (23%). Skip guest bedrooms if budget is tight.

How long does staging take?

Physical staging requires 5-14 days to coordinate. Virtual staging with AI tools like StageChimp delivers results in under 30 seconds.

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The Bottom Line

The statistics are clear: staged homes sell faster and for more money.

Whether you choose physical staging, virtual staging, or a hybrid approach, the data supports making staging a standard part of your listing strategy.

And with virtual staging now available at a fraction of traditional costs, there's no reason not to stage every vacant listing.

The agents who understand these numbers—and act on them—are the agents who win.

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Ready to put these statistics into action? StageChimp delivers AI-powered virtual staging in under 30 seconds. Upload a photo, pick a style, get MLS-ready results.