Staged vs. Unstaged: What the Numbers Say

If you've spent any time outdoors in Coastal Delaware lately, you've probably noticed you're sharing the neighborhood with more than just beachgoers and golfers. Thanks to our location along the Atlantic Flyway, one of North America's major migratory bird routes, our area becomes a seasonal stopover for hundreds of bird species.

If you're curious about the feathered visitors in your own backyard, I highly recommend the free Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Simply point your phone toward a singing bird, and the app listens, identifies the species in real time, and even shows photos, sounds, and interesting facts. It's surprisingly accurate. You can learn more about the app and download it here: Merlin Bird ID

2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook Report

Drawing on insights from Sotheby’s International Realty advisors around the world, along with leading financial and housing institutions, this latest edition examines the key forces shaping the high-end real estate landscape, including shifting buyer preferences, the generational transfer of wealth, and the global destinations continuing to attract strong demand and investment. You can view the report here: Mid-Year Luxury Outlook Report Link

The case for staging

When it comes time to sell, one of the first questions homeowners ask is whether it's worth staging the property or simply listing it as-is. The short answer, according to the latest industry data, is that presentation matters, often more than sellers expect. Home staging is the process of arranging furniture, décor, and lighting to help buyers imagine themselves living in a space. And the payoff shows up in two places that matter most: the sale price and how long a home sits on the market.

What the Numbers Say

In the National Association of Realtors' 2025 Profile of Home Staging, 29% of sellers' agents reported that staging increased a home's dollar value by 1% to 10%. On a $1,200,000 home, even a 3% lift represents roughly $36,000. Staging also speeds up the sale: 49% of sellers' agents said it reduced time on market, with some reporting significant reductions in the days a listing stayed active.

Perhaps most telling, 83% of buyers' agents said staging made it easier for their clients to picture a property as their future home, the emotional trigger that turns a showing into an offer. Living rooms, primary bedrooms, and kitchens are the spaces buyers weigh most heavily.

Returns can be striking for well-presented listings. The Real Estate Staging Association's 2025 data on a select group of professionally staged homes found they sold in an average of just 12 days and closed above asking, though these figures reflect homes chosen for their strong results rather than every listing.

The takeaway

An unstaged home can certainly sell, but staging tilts the odds toward a faster sale and a stronger price, especially in the online photos where most buyers form their first impression.

Our team develops a customized preparation and marketing plan for every listing. Whether that involves professional staging, strategic furniture placement, virtual staging or simple presentation enhancements, our goal is always the same: present your homes in its best possible light and maximize its value in today's marketplace. Reach out to schedule a complementary staging consultation. -Henry