When selling your home, first impressions are everything. In today’s digital-first real estate market, your home’s "online curb appeal" often determines whether a buyer books a showing or keeps scrolling. This is where home staging—the art of preparing a residence for sale by highlighting its best features—becomes a critical tool for sellers.
At Pabian Realty, we want our clients to have the best data to make informed decisions. Below, we break down the latest statistics from industry leaders like the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and RE/MAX, along with advice on when staging is most effective.
The Statistics: Does Staging Actually Work?
The consensus among real estate professionals is overwhelming: staging helps homes sell. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2023 Profile of Home Staging, the impact on buyer perception is significant:
Easier Visualization: 81% of buyers' agents reported that staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as their future home.
Increased Offer Value: 20% of buyers' agents stated that staging increased the dollar value offered by 1% to 5% compared to similar non-staged homes.
Faster Sales: On the listing side, 48% of sellers' agents noted that staging a home decreased the total time the property spent on the market.
RE/MAX data echoes these findings, suggesting that staged homes can sell for up to 6% to 10% more than those that aren't staged and often spend 73% less time on the market. Academic research also supports the idea that while staging may not always radically change a buyer's ultimate "willingness to pay" in every scenario, it significantly improves the "perceived livability" and the overall opinion of the home, which are necessary precursors to receiving an offer (Lane et al., 2015).
Vacant vs. Occupied: When Does Staging Make the Most Sense?
Staging isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the state of your property, your strategy should change.
1. Vacant Properties: The "Must-Stage" Scenario
Vacant homes are notoriously difficult to sell. Without furniture, rooms often look smaller than they are, and buyers struggle to understand the scale or how to layout a room.
The Advice: Staging is essential here to "warm up" the space and provide a sense of purpose to every room. It transforms a cold, empty shell into an inviting home.
2. Occupied Properties: The "Edit and Neutralize" Scenario
If you are living in the home, you may not need a full furniture rental.
The Advice: Focus on decluttering and depersonalizing. Professional stagers often suggest a "consultation" where they use your existing furniture but rearrange it to improve flow and remove personal items (like family photos) that might distract buyers.
When it might not make sense: If your home is already modern, minimalist, and well-furnished, a full staging package may be an unnecessary expense. A simple professional deep clean and some minor "fluffing" (new pillows, fresh flowers) might suffice.
General Pricing: What to Expect in the Canadian Market
Pricing for staging varies by the size of the home and the level of service required. In the Canadian market, you can generally expect the following:
Initial Consultation: Most professional stagers charge between $200 and $500 for a detailed walkthrough and a report of recommendations.
Occupied Staging (The "Refresh"): Using your own furniture with some added accessories typically costs $500 to $1,500.
Vacant Staging (Full Service): For a standard 3-bedroom home, the initial set-up fee (including furniture delivery and design) often ranges from $2,000 to $5,000.
Monthly Rentals: Most stagers include the first month in the set-up fee, with subsequent months costing roughly $500 to $1,000 depending on the amount of furniture rented.
Pro Advice for Sellers
If you're on a tight budget, focus on the "Big Three" rooms. According to the NAR, these rooms have the greatest impact on buyers:
Living Room (91%)
Primary Bedroom (81%)
Kitchen (78%)
Investing in these areas provides the highest return on your staging dollar.
For more personalized advice on preparing your home for the Edmonton market, contact the team at Pabian Realty today. We’re here to help you navigate every step of your real estate journey.
References
National Association of Realtors. (2023). 2023 Profile of Home Staging.
Lane, M. A., Seiler, M. J., & Seiler, V. L. (2015). The Impact of Staging Conditions on Residential Real Estate Demand. Journal of Housing Research, 24(1), 21–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/10835547.2015.12092095
Cited by: 29
Bonenberg, A., & Wlazły, W. (2022). Home staging, i.e. preparing real estate for sale. Discussion of the definition. Space & FORM, 2022(52), 43–60. https://doi.org/10.21005/pif.2022.52.b-02
Cited by: 2
