Staging Helps Buyers See Themselves Living There

One of the most powerful findings in the NAR report is how staging influences buyer
psychology. Eighty-three percent of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for
buyers to visualize a home as their future residence.  That emotional connection is critical. When buyers can picture their own life unfolding in a space, they are more likely to schedule showings, stay longer during tours, and
submit stronger offers.

The Rooms That Matter Most
Not every room carries the same weight. Buyers’ agents ranked the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen as the most important spaces to stage, with the living room taking the top spot.  These are the spaces where buyers imagine entertaining, relaxing, and building daily routines. Thoughtful furniture placement, scale, and design in these rooms help buyers emotionally anchor to the home.

Staging Strengthens Online Marketing

Most buyers fall in love with a home before they ever walk through the front door. The report shows that 73% of buyers’ agents said photos were more or much more
important, followed closely by traditional physical staging (57%), videos (48%), and
virtual tours (43%).

Staging dramatically improves photography and video by:

• Making rooms feel larger and brighter.
• Highlighting architectural features.
• Creating a cohesive, aspirational lifestyle aesthetic.

Simply put, staged homes stop the scroll.

Staging Can Increase Offers—and Reduce Time on Market

While results vary by market, staging delivers measurable financial upside.

• Seventeen percent of buyers’ agents reported staged homes received offers 1–5% higher than similar unstaged homes.
• From the seller’s agent perspective, 19% saw a 1–5% increase, and another
  10% reported increases of 6–10%.

Beyond price, speed matters. Thirty percent of sellers’ agents reported that staging resulted in shorter time on market, while another 19% said it greatly reduced days on market. Today’s Buyers Expect a “Show-Ready” Home TV, social media, and online listings have reshaped buyer expectations. Nearly half of respondents (48%) said buyers believe homes should look like those seen on TV, and 58% reported buyers were disappointed when homes didn’t meet those expectations.  Staging helps bridge that expectation gap by presenting homes at their absolute best—without misleading buyers or over-renovating.

The Bottom Line

Home staging is no longer a luxury or trend—it’s a proven marketing strategy backed by national data. By helping buyers visualize, enhancing online presentation, increasing perceived value, and reducing time on market, staging gives sellers a powerful advantage.
In a market where buyers make decisions quickly and emotionally, staging ensures your home doesn’t just get listed—it gets remembered.