Frequently Asked Questions

Is home staging worth the investment?

Yes — staging is a strategic marketing tool, not a cosmetic upgrade. For brokers, it strengthens pricing confidence, improves listing photos, and increases perceived value from the moment a property hits the market.

Well-staged homes tend to generate stronger first impressions online, more qualified showings, and greater emotional connection during tours. That momentum often translates into reduced days on market and more competitive offers — helping protect both the seller’s equity and the agent’s commission.

Related: The cost of staging versus the cost of a price reduction

How much should sellers budget for professional staging?

Staging investment varies depending on property size, condition, and scope of work. Brokers often frame staging as part of the overall marketing budget — similar to photography, videography, and advertising.

For higher-price properties or competitive markets, comprehensive staging can significantly elevate perceived value. For others, a targeted approach (key rooms or consultation-based styling) may be appropriate. The goal is aligning the staging strategy with the listing price and market expectations.

Who usually pays for home staging — the seller or the real estate broker?

In most cases, staging is a seller investment as part of preparing the property for market. However, many brokers incorporate staging into their overall marketing strategy — whether through consultation services, partial contributions, or structured agreements that align with their listing presentation.

The key is making staging part of the home’s launch plan rather than an optional add-on. Sellers should understand it as a value-enhancing step, not just an expense.

Do you offer financing options that allow sellers to pay at closing?

We understand that upfront investment can sometimes create hesitation. 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. We partner with Notable Finance which offers staged home financing through your closing proceeds.

Our goal is to support your listing strategy and remove barriers that could delay preparation or weaken the property’s market debut.

What staging options are available if the budget is tight?

We offer flexible levels of service to support a range of listing scenarios:

  • Strategic staging consultations

  • Partial staging for high-impact rooms

  • Full-service vacant staging

  • Occupied home styling and refinement

This allows brokers to tailor the approach based on price point, competition, and seller readiness — while still presenting a polished, market-ready product.

Why can’t I just use my own furniture?

You can certainly stage with your own furniture, and we are happy to help you with some guidance. But most home buyers can tell when a space is owner-staged, because the decor has a very specific and personal style. And knowing that it’s owner-staged doesn’t help potential buyers envision themselves living in the space. Staging furniture is chosen to “neutralize” the interior; it helps buyers picture how they will use the space.

What is your décor style?

Our style leans heavily toward contemporary. This is because the clean lines of contemporary furnishings work with just about any home style and are attractive to just about any buyer. We aren’t staging to sell furniture, we’re staging to sell a home. We want the key features of the home to sing, not some daring decorating choices.

What rooms should be staged?

The most important rooms to stage are the living room, dining room and kitchen, the primary bedroom and one additional bedroom (whether office, guest room, kid room or something else). Having said that, we pride ourselves on a “full stage.” That means we create staging that flows through the home. If a hallway or stair landing needs a little something, we take care of it.

Is there something different about Essential Home Staging?

Our stages will create harmony throughout your home decor. As mentioned above, we will include transitional areas in our staging plan, so there aren’t areas of your home that feel blank or disjointed.

We also take the time to truly understand your potential buyer and incorporate that information into our design plan. Your home should be staged for a target buyer, not the public at large.

Can you stage my home while I am living in it?

We can do soft stages or owner-occupied stages if the need is for décor and art. We are unable to offer upholstered furniture, mattresses or bedding for occupied staged. But if you just need a few things to spruce up your space, we can help!

Can you help me stage with my own stuff?

We can! This is where a staging consult comes in. We will work with you to go through your home room by room to identify what stays and goes, what furniture arrangements work, and what decor to use. This is a cost-effective option for folks living in their home while it’s on the market.

How long does the staging process take?

For most homes, we will schedule the staging of your home over the course of a single day. For larger homes, we may need to return in the morning with a few additional items from our warehouse. So we recommend scheduling your photographer for the afternoon of the day after.

In terms of the overall timeline, that really depends on you and your realtor and any preparations that need to happen before we get there.

What do you need from me pre-stage?

The most important things we are looking for are a clean and empty home. That means empty of both things and people. We’d also like any driveways or access areas to be clear of other vehicles so we can get our truck or trailer in to unload. In the winter, we’d appreciate the heat in the home to be adjustable, so we have a comfortable working environment.

If I hire a stager, does it mean I have bad style?

It does not! It means you have YOUR style. We aren’t in this business to judge peoples’ style. Just think of staging as a tool to connect potential buyers to your home’s interior without distraction.

Related: Why Your Style Won’t Work for Staging

What are some other benefits of staging?

Aside from higher offers and less time on the market? Well, staging is tax deductible as a selling cost. It also results in ah-mazing listing photos, which will get the right people in your door. And when it’s time to list, you will feel truly ready.

Still have more questions?

Still have more questions? We have answers. Su8bmit your info below and we’ll be in touch!