Sellers ask us constantly: “Is home staging worth the cost?” It’s a fair question… especially when you’re already covering repairs, moving, and closing costs. The answer, backed by the latest National Association of Realtors® data and real-world results, is typically yes. Professional home staging consistently helps homes sell faster, photograph better, and often attract stronger offers. In a market where buyers scroll dozens of listings online before booking a single showing, presentation is no longer optional.
What the NAR 2025 Profile of Home Staging Actually Shows
The 2025 NAR Profile of Home Staging (based on a February 2025 survey of 1,266 Realtors®) remains the most authoritative national data set.
The ROI Picture in Clear Terms

On a $400,000 home, a lift of up to 10% translates to roughly $40,000 in additional offer value. Even a more modest 1–5% increase equals $4,000–$20,000—well above the typical staging investment. The speed benefit further protects equity by reducing carrying costs and the risk of price reductions.
Buyers still prioritize the same rooms: the living room (37%), primary bedroom (34%), and kitchen (23%). These are the spaces that create the emotional connection…and the ones that show up first in listing photos.
The 2026 Market Context and Additional Performance Data
As of 2026, the same dynamics hold and, in many markets, have intensified. Buyers continue to screen heavily online before touring in person. NAR data tied to the staging profile shows agents reporting that buyers expected to view a median of 20 homes virtually for every 8 they toured in person. Photos remain the highest-rated marketing element (88% of sellers’ agents called them “much more” or “more” important). A home that looks unfinished or empty simply gets scrolled past.
Industry data from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) for the first half of 2026 shows staged homes by participating members averaging 111% of list price and about 10 days on market, with reported average ROI figures well into the thousands of percent on typical staging investments of roughly $5,000. While these are self-reported results from staged properties, they illustrate the upside many sellers experience when presentation is prioritized.
In Southeast Michigan and the broader Metro Detroit area, selective buyers and longer days-on-market periods (as we’ve covered in our Q3 2025 market update) make strong first impressions even more valuable. Homes that sit longer face greater pressure for price cuts; staging helps you compete on presentation rather than price alone.
The Math: Cost vs. Return
Professional staging is an investment, not an expense. At the NAR median of $1,500, the break-even point on a $400,000 home is only about 0.4%. On a $500,000 home it’s even lower. Beyond pure price lift, faster sales preserve equity and reduce holding costs (mortgage, utilities, insurance, and opportunity cost).
Typical cost ranges further clarify the ROI picture:
– Professional staging service: $1,500 median (NAR)
– Whole-home physical staging (first month): commonly $1,500–$4,000
– Vacant homes requiring full furniture: often $3,000–$6,000+ depending on size and market
We explored related performance data in our earlier piece on Quantifying the Value of Home Staging, and the NAR numbers continue to support the same conclusion: the upside typically outweighs the cost when staging is done strategically.
Occupied homes can often be staged efficiently with targeted refreshes rather than full furniture rentals. Vacant homes benefit most from full staging that fills the visual void and gives buyers a clear sense of scale and livability. In either case, the goal is the same—put the home’s best features in the spotlight so buyers can picture themselves living there.
Where Staging Creates the Biggest Impact

Decluttering, deep cleaning, and improving curb appeal (recommended by 91%, 88%, and 77% of agents, respectively, in the NAR report) amplify staging results. Professional photos of a well-staged home then do the heavy lifting online—especially important given that 52% of buyers ultimately purchase a home they first found online (NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers).
Practical Takeaways for Sellers and Agents
Not every home needs full staging, but MOST benefit from a professional plan. Options range from consultations and occupied refreshes to complete vacant staging. The right approach depends on the property, price point, and competition.
If you’ve been weighing the cost, the NAR data gives a clear framework: staging improves buyer visualization for the vast majority of agents surveyed, shortens time on market for nearly half, and produces measurable offer increases for a meaningful share. In 2026’s more deliberate buyer environment, that combination remains one of the highest-ROI pre-listing moves available.
Ready to see what professional staging can do for your listing? Contact Impact Home Staging Experts for a consultation—we’ve been helping Southeast Michigan sellers and agents maximize results for over 20 years.
Sources:
– [National Association of Realtors® 2025 Profile of Home Staging](https://nar.realtor/newsroom/nar-report-reveals-home-staging-boosts-sale-prices-and-reduces-time-on-market) (survey fielded February 2025)
– [NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers](https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/highlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers)
– [Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) Statistics](https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/statistics) (first-half 2026 industry data)























