Home staging costs $1,500 to $4,000 on average for a standard home, depending on the home size and style, local market, and whether the home requires rental furniture. 

• The cost to stage a house with your own furniture is $1,000 to $3,000.
• In comparison, staging an empty house with rented furniture can cost $3,000 to $6,000+.

Most home staging contracts run for 30 days. Extended the contract costs another 10% to 30% of the initial contract fee for each additional 30-day period. For example, if the initial staging costs $4,000 and the house does not sell within the first 30 days, you'll face additional fees of $400 to $1,200 for each 30-day extension.

Home staging involves preparing your home for sale by making it appealing and inviting to buyers. Staging includes strategically arranging furniture, accessories, and décor to give the home an up-to-date and attractive style.

Professional home stagers have the knowledge and skills to arrange the décor in ways that accentuate your home's best features while downplaying aspects that might turn off potential buyers. Stagers also removes most personal items from your home, which helps buyers to envision how the home will look with their own personal touches and style.

Studies from several real estate associations have shown that home staging is worth the investment. Professionally staged homes sell for a higher price than non-staged homes and spend less time on the market.

According to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP), staged homes sell for an average of 6% to 12% more than the list price, with some staged homes selling for 20% more.

The National Association of REALTORS® 2023 Profile of Home Staging also highlights some of the benefits of home staging:

• 34% of buyers increased their offer on a staged home, with some offers increasing by over 10%.
• 48% of staged homes spent less time on the market than non-staged homes.
• 81% of buyer's agents said home staging made it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home.
• 40% of potential buyers were convinced to book a showing after seeing photos of a staged house online.

The seller typically pays for home staging. Most realtors do not cover the cost of staging. However, some realtors may be willing to cover the cost of the service in exchange for a higher commission on the sale price.

Yes, home staging costs are tax deductible if the house sells. The IRS considers the cost to stage a house qualifies as an advertising expense. However, if your home does not sell and is taken off the market, you cannot deduct the home staging costs.

Home staging is expensive because it often requires renting furniture and bringing in décor and accessories to maximize your home's visual appeal. The staging company may need to rent the furniture for 30 days or more, depending on how long your home remains on the market.

A professional home stager must also be familiar with the local market, understand what appeals to likely buyers for your home, and be current on the latest design trends.

Staging can increase your home's sale price and help it sell more quickly, so professional staging is often worth the added cost.

Yes, you can stage an empty house. In fact, staging a vacant home often increases the sale price because it helps buyers to more easily envision themselves living in a fully furnished space.

When evaluating professional home stagers near you, ask these important questions:

• How long have you been staging homes?
• What experience do you have staging homes in my local market?
• Are you certified by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) or the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP).
• Can you provide references?
• Do you have a photos of your past home staging work?
• What is your approach to home staging?
• Do you offer an initial consultation, and if so, how much do you charge?
• Which services are included in the staging fee?
• Do you offer any add-on services for an extra fee?
• Do you provide partial-home staging services for only specific rooms?
• Do you provide furniture and décor, or will I need to rent those items separately?
• Can you work with my existing furniture and décor, or will I need to remove everything from my home?

Professional staging can boost your home's sale price and decrease the time it spends on the market. To ensure you make the most of your investment, follow these tips to find the best home staging companies near you:

• Get quotes from at least 3 home staging companies with experience working in your local real estate market.
• Ask your realtor to recommend staging companies they've worked with successfully in the past.
• Choose a home stager certified by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) or the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP).
• Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Get a written contract that details the staging services included in the fee and any potential extra costs that could come up.