FAQs

  • Key Benefits:

    1. Faster Sales

    Staged homes sell, on average, 73% faster than unstaged ones.

    2. Higher Offers

    Nearly 30% of agents report that staging increases sale price by 1–10%.

    3. Enhanced Buyer Perception

    83% of buyers' agents say staging helps buyers visualize themselves living in the home.

    4. Strong Return on Investment (ROI)

    The average ROI for home staging can exceed 550%, with some sellers seeing returns over 2,000%.

    Whether your home is occupied or empty, staging transforms it into a space that buyers can emotionally connect with, helping it sell faster and for more money. A small investment in staging can pay off in big ways.

  • The short answer? Definitely! Whether your home is occupied or vacant.

    In today’s market, most buyers start their search online. They scroll through listings, photos, and virtual tours long before stepping foot inside. Staging helps your home stand out online, capture attention, and encourage buyers to schedule a showing.

    Occupied Homes

    Staging an occupied home helps buyers see the full potential of each space. It’s important to remove personal items (photos, collections, and anything that tells your story) so buyers aren’t walking through your life, wondering about who you are, but can instead envision themselves living there. By decluttering, rearranging furniture, and adding thoughtful, neutral décor, you highlight the home’s best features and make rooms feel spacious, functional, and inviting.

    Example: A homeowner had their 3-bedroom house listed for 90 days with few offers. After staging the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom, the home sold in 30 days, receiving 4% above list price—all while helping buyers immediately picture themselves living there.

    Staged occupied homes sell faster and often for higher prices. 83% of buyers’ agents say staging helps buyers emotionally connect with a property.

    Vacant Homes

    Vacant homes can feel cold or empty in photos and in-person showings, making it harder for buyers to imagine themselves living there. Staging transforms empty spaces into inviting, aspirational homes that appeal online and in person.

    Example: A vacant 3-bedroom house had been listed for 120 days with minimal interest. After staging the key rooms and enhancing photography, the home sold in 28 days with multiple offers, netting $10,000 above asking price.

    Staged vacant homes sell up to 73% faster than unstaged vacant homes. Staging increases the likelihood that buyers will schedule a visit and make competitive offers.

    Why Our Staging Makes a Difference

    My approach goes beyond filling empty rooms. I enhance the buyer’s online and in-person experience, creating a sense of warmth, flow, and lifestyle. Every room is thoughtfully designed to showcase the home’s potential and help buyers envision themselves living there, making it more likely they’ll visit and submit strong offers.

    Whether occupied or vacant, staging is a powerful investment. It attracts buyers online, helps them emotionally connect with your home, reduces time on market, and often results in higher offers. Staging isn’t just décor - it’s a strategic tool to help your home sell faster and for more money.

    Sources:

    • National Association of Realtors (NAR). 2023 Profile of Home Staging.
      https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/profile-of-home-staging

    • Home Staging Resource (HSR). 2022 Home Staging Industry Statistics Report.
      https://homestagingresource.com/home-staging-statistics

    • Realtor.com. Why Home Staging Is Worth the Money.
      https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/why-staging-your-home-is-worth-the-money

    • Zillow Research. The Impact of Home Staging on Sales Price and Time on Market.
      https://www.zillow.com/research

  • Because a beautiful design doesn’t have to harm the planet. At Soul + Story, we believe homes should feel good in every sense — emotionally, aesthetically, and environmentally. Sustainable staging reduces waste, supports local artisans, and creates an authentic, story-filled atmosphere that buyers can feel the moment they walk in.

    Furniture waste is enormous.

    Each year, the U.S. sends over 12 million tons of furniture and furnishings to landfills — most of it from short-term use or fast furniture that isn’t built to last. By sourcing secondhand and reusing pieces, we help slow that cycle of waste.

    The furniture industry is carbon-heavy.

    Manufacturing and shipping new furnishings contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Local sourcing and reuse dramatically cut that footprint.

    Staging works — sustainably or not.

    According to the National Association of Realtors, 81% of buyers’ agents say staging makes it easier for clients to visualize a property as their future home, and staged homes can sell 5–10% higher on average. Sustainable staging keeps those benefits while aligning with modern values.

    At Soul + Story, every piece we use has a purpose and a past. Our approach blends beauty, ethics, and community care:

    We source locally.

    Many of our furnishings come from small makers, artisans, consignment shops, and thrift stores. Each piece adds local character and supports independent businesses in our community.

    We advertise our collaborators.

    Every home we stage includes a spotlight on the local artists, craftspeople, and businesses featured in that space — turning each project into a living gallery of community talent.

    We circulate furniture back into the community.

    When a staging cycle ends, items are either reused in future projects, resold through local vintage shops, or donated to charities that help families furnish their own homes.

    We use what you already have. Whenever possible, we style and elevate your existing furniture to save both resources and money, adding curated touches to transform the feel without unnecessary waste.

    Why clients love this approach:

    Buyers feel the difference. Sustainable staging creates warmth and depth — it feels real, not artificial or “set up.”

    Sellers feel proud. You’re not only selling your home but contributing to a more conscious way of living.

    Communities thrive. Local artists gain exposure, small businesses gain customers, and quality items keep circulating rather than ending up in a landfill.

    Bottom line: 

    Sustainable staging with Soul + Story isn’t just about selling a house — it’s about honoring its story, uplifting the community, and leaving the world a little more beautiful than we found it.

    Sources:

  • Staging your home is an investment that often pays for itself. Staged homes sell faster and for higher prices. Costs vary depending on the size of your home, the level of staging needed, and the package you choose.

    Typical Costs by Home Size (with Examples)

    • Small Homes or Condos (up to 1,200 sq ft): $800–$1,500
      Example: A 1-bedroom condo staged with furniture for the living room and bedroom cost $1,000, sold in 21 days, and received multiple offers, selling for $7,000 above asking price.

    • Medium Homes (1,200–2,500 sq ft): $1,500–$3,000
      Example: A 3-bedroom house staged with furniture in the living areas, kitchen, and master bedroom cost $2,500, sold in 30 days, and fetched $12,000 above list price.

    • Large Homes (2,500+ sq ft): $3,000–$6,000+
      Example: A 5-bedroom home with full staging, including outdoor spaces, cost $5,500, sold in 45 days, and received $35,000 above the anticipated market value, achieving a 536% ROI.

    Flexible Payment Options

    Flat Fee: Pay a fixed rate upfront or in installments, tailored to your home size and staging package.

    Percentage of Sale Price: Some sellers prefer paying 1–3% of the anticipated sale price, which aligns staging costs with the potential value it brings.

    Partial Staging Packages: Focus on high-impact areas such as the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom, which can reduce costs while still boosting buyer appeal.

    Home staging helps buyers emotionally connect with your home, often resulting in faster sales and higher offers. Whether you choose a full package, partial staging, a flat fee, or a percentage-of-sale plan, there’s a solution to fit your home and budget.