Is professional home staging worth the investment?

Yes. Professional staging is a strategic marketing tool that strengthens pricing confidence, improves listing presentation, and increases perceived value. Staged homes typically photograph better, generate stronger buyer interest, and help protect seller equity and agent commission by creating competitive momentum.

Who typically pays for home staging?

In most cases, staging is a seller investment as part of preparing the home for market. Some brokers incorporate staging consultations or partial contributions into their overall marketing strategy. Positioning staging as part of the launch plan helps sellers understand its value.

How much should sellers budget for staging?

Staging investment varies depending on property size, condition, and scope of work. Brokers often present staging as part of the overall marketing budget, aligning the level of service with the listing price, competition, and target buyer expectations.

Do you offer financing options for staging services?

While staging is typically paid prior to installation, we are happy to collaborate with brokers and sellers to explore structured solutions, including aligning staging costs with closing proceeds when appropriate. Our goal is to support your listing strategy and remove preparation barriers.

What staging options are available if a seller’s budget is limited?

We offer flexible service levels including staging consultations, partial staging for key rooms, full-service vacant staging, and occupied home styling. This allows brokers to tailor the approach based on price point, competition, and seller readiness.

How to Live in Your Home While it’s on the Market

Selling Tips

Feb 19

Written By Heather Hamilton

Living in your home while it’s on the market requires a shift in mindset.

Your home is no longer just your space.
It’s a product.

Buyers will walk through it, open doors, and evaluate how it feels. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s preparedness.

Before my staging career, I sold 2 homes which I lived in during the listing period. It wasn’t easy. So if you are going through this or plan to, find a friend to stay with. I’m just kidding… kind of.

One personality trait that I had going for me: I am very tidy and organized. The fact that you are doing research on how to get through the listing period without absolutely losing it makes me think you are organized as well, or at least value being prepared. So before I get into how to live in your home WHILE it’s on the market, let me tell you what I did - and many clients do - to get ready, and that is to get a storage space.

For my first home, I rented 2 Pods I loaded up with almost everything I didn’t need. Extra furniture, seasonal clothing, all the things. This allowed me to give my house a staged feel.

My second home sale was a bit different. I’d become a Kon Mari advocate and actually lived a minimalist lifestyle. No extra storage necessary. I had 18 foot tall ceilings and windows so my place felt extra big. My situation definitely was an outlier.

All that to say, if you can move a lot of your belongings offsite, it’s going to make your living-in process a lot easier.

Whether you decide to do that or not, here’s how to stay show-ready while still living your life.

1. Create a 15-Minute Showing Routine

When your home is for sale, you need a fast reset system.

Before every showing:

Make beds
Clear kitchen counters
Wipe bathroom surfaces
Take out trash
Turn on lights
Open blinds/drapes

If everything has a designated place, this takes minutes — not hours. When I was listing, I did most of this in the morning before work, then just went home to pick up my dog if a showing was happening.

Whenever you do this, consistency is what keeps your home market-ready.

2. Reduce Everyday Clutter

The less you leave out, the easier it is to maintain a show-ready home.

While selling:

Limit items on counters
Store toiletries in drawers
Remove excess décor
Keep mail and paperwork out of sight

Stagers are really good at helping determine what excess décor looks like, so you might invest in a staging consult before you go on the market.

3. Use a “Showing Basket”

This is one of the simplest ways to live in a staged home without constant stress.

Keep one basket for daily items:

Chargers
Remotes
Toys
Pet supplies
Personal items

When a showing is scheduled, everything goes into the basket and into a closet or your car.

Surfaces stay clean. You stay sane.

4. Manage Pets Carefully

Even pet-friendly buyers notice odors, hair, and bowls.

Before showings:

Vacuum thoroughly
Remove food and water bowls
Hide litter boxes
Eliminate pet odors

If possible, take pets with you. Buyers need to focus on the house — not the animals.

5. Plan to Leave During Showings

Buyers connect emotionally when they feel alone in a space.

Whenever possible, leave before showings; take a short walk or run errands.

Your absence helps buyers imagine ownership.

Modern cell phones weren’t really a thing when I sold my first house, so when I had a showing, I loaded my dog into the car and we went to a local park with good wifi. I could walk the dog and get some work done.

6. Accept Temporary Discipline

Living in your home while selling is temporary.

It requires:

Fewer belongings
Faster cleanups
More structure

But the payoff matters.

Homes that consistently show well:

Photograph better
Create stronger impressions
Generate better offers
Sell faster

The Big Picture

When your home is on the market, every showing counts.

Every clean counter protects your pricing power.
Every tidy room strengthens buyer confidence.

Living in your home while selling isn’t easy — but preparation and systems make it manageable.

And the smoother your showing experience, the smoother your sale.

Occupied StagingSurvivingListsPreparationHome Listing Prep

Heather Hamilton

How to Live in Your Home While it’s on the Market

5 Things To Do Before Stagers Arrive