It can really depend on individual markets. We've been through buying/selling several times with our own homes and rental/investment properties. For the most part, staging wasn't nearly as important as cleaning and decluttering.

You're welcome...we're in Southern CA. The last property we sold was in 2013. It was empty when we put it on the market. All we did was make sure it was really clean. It sold quickly for well over the asking price.

Honestly, we've never sold any properties that weren't completely empty, so far. I realize Southern CA can be a different market, to say the least. Bidding wars aren't uncommon with homes in our area. It still astounds me to see what something like $800K can buy in other parts of the country.

Don't get me wrong; I do understand how staging can be advantageous, depending on the market.

It's not essential, but certainly can help.

It helps with unimaginative buyers. However, where I live houses are bought for location & most are then remodeled by the buyers. (Coastal So Cal)

when we sold our home May 2016 (7 mos ago) we cleaned it out, it was repainted and new carpet laid then staged. It sold in 2 days. The staging really helped people to see the potential. It also helped us to realize it was no longer our home. During the cleaning out process (we were downsizing to 1200 s. ft). it was very hard to let go of so many things.

Staging is a definite plus. In our market (Austin TX), it's common. In ny neighborhood, the top production Realtors offer it as part of their service. About the only time you don't see staging is when the home is an obvious total gut/tear down, in a hot neighborhood- again, very common in many city center neighborhoods.

Apparently, though, this can be a touchy subject with some homeowners. As a local Realtor says, "What to say to a homeowner who talks of painting/staging, for a house that nearly all buyers are attracted to for the value of the dirt, alone?" It can be a fine line between encouraging a homeowner that pre-sale prep is barely needed to get top dollar AND offending somebody who's been in their home for decades.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I do think that it is dependent on the specific market you are in and can be an added bonus. I have seen where staging has helped a home sell more quickly than expected. Fact is, most buyers, not all, but most buyers are not visionary and staging does help them with an idea of how a space can be used. I think it also can emphasize how furniture can be arranged as well.

Hi Meraki - I've been encouraged by my real estate agent (sold my home 2.5 yrs ago) to go into home staging based on my decorating skills in my previous home and what I've done to my new home..plus I absolutely love decorating. My question to you is how would you suggest I get started? I live on the North Shore of Long Island NY. I would appreciate any input as I have researched several training programs and also feel I would prefer to have a partner.

@lisakasp. Feel free to send me a message and we could chat over the phone and I can give you some tips as to what I did and how I got started. (407) 636-2060 !

It seems to be a trend these days to stage a home when selling. I answered this same question a while back and, personally, if I was looking at a house for myself, I'd like it empty, to see the bones of the house so to say and concentrate on that.

However, I can now see that many people like to see it staged to get an idea of how a home could be and this helps them with their planning of furniture layout too. So, I think it depends on the person really.

Also, true, that most people will look out for the building structure , how clean it is or has it been decluttered.

I would consider decluttering and cleaning as part of the staging process, the most important part.

I am one of that prefers seeing an empty space. That said, my experience has shown that most people need to see a "staged" home.

It is easier for most people to be able to gauge the size of a room when it is furnished. Typically a room appears smaller to most when it is vacant.

Lakeside Studio, I agree vacant spaces do tend to look smaller. I've always found that interesting. Seems they should look larger, but I guess furnished rooms provide focal points that change the feeling of the space...?

I personally like to look at an empty house. I can visualize very well and have definite ideas about what I want and what I will do with rooms so I don't need it suggested to me and I don't like to look at other people's things. With that said, I have staged the last 2 houses I sold because most people have no vision and need to be told that "this is a bedroom" etc. It absolutely helps. I look at houses for sale around here all the time (southwest US) and I WISH people would not only stage but would de-clutter and clean. Why don't people know to get rid of all their personal photos, clear the counter tops and put the lid down on the toilet seat when taking pictures of the house to put on the internet or to be shown?! In answer to your question, yes, I think staging is important in most cases.

Absolutely stage the home. It helps clients to visualize how to optimize the space and make it look really impressive. Even the most minimal amount will help.

I also prefer an empty house. I really don't like seeing other people's stuff in my potential future house. I wouldn't be able to get that out of my head...

I need to see an empty space to visualize where to put MY furniture.

Wow! Thanks so much everyone for all your input. Your opinions are greatly valued. Cleaning and decluttering absolutely helps and is the first part to staging. If the room is crowed and not cleaned, the beautiful furniture will make no difference.

Hi I believe Home Staging can really help a sale of a home. We work with many realtors as Certified Professional Organizers. They have us come in and assist in the storage areas, clutter parts of home and then have the Stagers come in and make it look amazing. What we always tell our market is that people come into your home and look in closets, kitchen and vanity cupboards, basement storage and garage. If your storage areas area full to the brim or not neat and tidy, they automatically think there is not enough storage. What we help our selling clients do is go through and purge what they no longer want and then box and store what they are not going to need for the next few months while selling. This clears space and assist in the appearance of the home.

Designers can appreciate a blank canvas but when advising clients selling their home and wanting to stuff it with décor they like to stage the home, I remind them that the listed property is no longer their home and it's not about them. Most buyers are not visual people and some staging helps. Making sure the home is decluttered and clean also goes a long way. Presentation is everything and sellers should aim to reduce any possible negative comments from potential buyers. You're not trying to distract from any flaws of an empty house but enhancing it. An empty older house with every room painted white should raise a red flag. I agree that staging depends on the market area but also buyer expectations especially when properties are priced on the higher side and not in central suburbia where bidding wars take place. I also advise clients that investing a little for minor renovations, if required, and staging helps them make the best impression.

I see the diversity in opinions and I am quite thankful for everyones input on this subject!

@JL's Home Hardware Building Centre, Very well said! Most buyers have a hard time seeing what a space can be and staging helps them turn on the imagination they never knew they really had!