Picture this: A potential buyer is scrolling through listings. Most blend together—until they stop. Why? Because your staged living room stood out. It felt like home—and not just any home, their future home.

That’s the power of staging. And no, it’s not a judgment on your taste or the way you live. It’s a strategic move to help your home connect with more buyers, faster.

What Staging Really Does

When your realtor suggests staging, many sellers worry: Is something wrong with my furniture or décor?

Not at all.

Staging isn’t about replacing your style—it’s about stepping back from it. It helps neutralize the space so potential buyers can see themselves in it. It’s less about personal expression and more about creating a blank canvas that highlights the home’s best features.

And here’s something many sellers don’t expect: Staging also helps you begin the emotional transition. It turns your house into a product to be marketed. That shift—subtle but important—makes letting go easier when the offers come in.

Why It Works: Real Numbers, Real Results

Staging isn’t just a nice-to-have. The data from the National Association of Realtors backs it up:

• 29% of realtors report staging can increase the price point in offers by 1–10% compared to unstaged homes, and 49% say staging reduces time on market 
• 83% of agents say staging helps buyers imagine the home as their own 

• The most important rooms to stage? The living room (37%), primary bedroom (34%), and kitchen (23%)
• Visual marketing matters too—73% of agents say photos are key, followed by 57% for traditional staging, 48% for videos, and 43% for virtual tours
• Median staging cost in the mountains is about $2,500 or around $500 to $1,000 when handled by the seller’s agent—making the ROI compelling

In Summit County, the average sales price in August 2025 was $1,408,926. If you’re selling a $1.4 million home, a 1–10% increase could mean an extra $14,000 to $140,000 in your pocket. That’s a substantial return for a relatively small upfront investment—especially when your realtor uses their network to maximize your sale price.