Before You Spend Money Staging Your Home, Read This!

By Joy Daniels

In her position, Daniels is a listing specialist who works with sellers to achieve their specific real estate goals while helping them to understand their home’s value and the current local market.

Somewhere between “you absolutely have to stage your home” and “staging is a waste of money” lies the real answer. And after decades of selling real estate in Central Pennsylvania, I can tell you it depends far more on your particular home than on any blanket rule.

Staging isn’t about making your home look like a magazine. It’s about helping buyers picture themselves living there. That emotional connection matters, especially when buyers have several homes to choose from.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2025 Profile of Home Staging, 83% of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for buyers to visualize a property as their future home. Additionally, 49% of sellers’ agents reported that staging reduced time on the market, while 29% reported offers 1% to 10% higher compared with similar unstaged properties.

Those aren’t guarantees, but they certainly make a case for thoughtful preparation.

Sometimes Less Is More

Here’s something I tell sellers all the time: Staging doesn’t necessarily mean renting furniture or spending thousands of dollars.

Sometimes removing two pieces of furniture, replacing a bedspread, opening window treatments, or clearing kitchen countertops can completely transform how a home looks and feels.

In fact, the same NAR survey found that 91% of sellers’ agents recommend decluttering, 88% recommend cleaning the entire home, and 77% recommend improving curb appeal.

A vacant home may benefit from furniture that helps buyers understand room sizes and layouts. An occupied home may simply need less furniture and fewer personal belongings.

The key is knowing what YOUR home needs.

Your First Showing Happens Online

Today’s buyers are looking at photographs and videos long before they walk through your front door.

That’s why your home needs to be ready before the photographer arrives, not just before the first showing.

Even the best professional photography can’t completely overcome cluttered countertops, overcrowded rooms, or poor lighting.

And you don’t necessarily need to stage every room. The living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen are generally among the most important spaces to buyers. I also pay particular attention to the entryway because first impressions matter!

Staging and Pricing Go Hand in Hand

A beautifully staged home that’s overpriced can still sit on the market. And a properly priced home that doesn’t show well may struggle to attract buyers.

In today’s Central PA market, where buyers may have more choices depending on the neighborhood and price range, presentation matters.

The longer a home sits on the market, the more negotiating power sellers may lose. That’s why pricing, preparation, professional photography, and marketing need to work together from day one.

Don’t Spend Money Until You Have a Plan

One of the biggest mistakes I see homeowners make is spending money on improvements they think buyers want.

I’ve seen sellers invest thousands in projects that added very little to their eventual selling price.

At Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, we help sellers determine what should be repaired, updated, removed, or simply left alone before their home goes on the market.

Sometimes professional staging makes sense. Sometimes rearranging furniture and decluttering are all that’s needed. And sometimes, my advice is not to spend another dime!

The bottom line? The smartest staging plan isn’t the most expensive one. It’s the one that makes your home more appealing without spending money unnecessarily.

Before you start painting, buying furniture, or hiring a staging company, let’s talk. I’d be happy to walk through your home and help you determine exactly what makes sense for your property.

Call or text me at (717) 409-5585, email Info@joydaniels.com, or visit joydaniels.info.

I’m Joy Daniels, and that’s smart real estate.