You’ve made the decision to sell. Your home is clean, priced right, and ready to hit the market. But there’s one big decision left: should you leave it empty, or invest in staging?

It’s a debate every seller faces, and honestly, it shouldn’t be. We’ve seen the same pattern over and over: sellers constantly wondering, “Is it better to sell a house empty, or staged?”

And after staging over 10,000 homes since 2007, we can say with certainty that staged homes sell faster, for more money, and with less stress for everyone involved.

What’s Wrong With Selling an Empty House?

It’s a common belief that empty houses allow buyers to imagine themselves—and their furniture, keepsakes, and family—within the home. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. 

Most buyers can’t “picture” themselves in empty spaces, and the house feels cold and uninspiring without furniture and decor. Buyers struggle to connect emotionally with the space, and what should feel like a future home instead feels like a storage unit.

Scale becomes an issue, too. 

Why do vacant homes often appear smaller than they are? Furniture and decor provide reference points for scale and proportion. When a space is empty, there’s nothing to anchor the eye, making it difficult to perceive the dimensions accurately.

Buyers can’t see the potential; they can’t see past what’s right in front of them—you have to show them the possibilities! That awkward corner just looks like wasted space until it’s transformed into a cozy reading nook.

What Does Staging Actually Do? How Does it Help You Sell Your Home?

While an empty home creates these problems, professional staging flips the script. The number tells a story:

• According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes sell 73% faster when professionally staged.
• Staged properties receive higher offers (up to 20% higher) and stand out in online listings.
• 83% of buyers’ agents say staging helps buyers visualize a home as their home.

But real results speak louder than statistics. Recent clients have sold their homes within two days of listing, and others have received multiple offers above asking price after their first weekend on the market.

Staging creates that emotional connection. When buyers can envision their lifestyle in your space, they’re willing to pay premium prices for that feeling.

“But What About…” 

You’re not the only seller to be on the fence about the benefits of staging a home or “keeping it simple” and selling it empty. Whatever the reason, we wanted to address some of the most common concerns we see when choosing whether you should or shouldn’t stage your home to sell like…

“Staging is Too Expensive”

Think of staging as marketing your biggest asset, not decorating. Consider the real cost of not staging: extended time on market, lower offers, and carrying costs like mortgage payments and utilities.

You also don’t have to stage the entirety of your home. Prioritize the most impactful rooms based on your home—ask your interior designer during your consultation which options are available.

“Buyers Should Use Their Imagination”

Most buyers spend 10 minutes touring a home and make emotional decisions in the first 30 seconds. They simply don’t have the time—or the vision—to imagine potential in an empty home.

“My Home Will Sell Based on Location Alone”

Even in hot markets, staging provides competitive advantages! The question isn’t whether your home will sell—it’s whether it will sell for top dollar with multiple offers.

“I Already Have Furniture—Can’t I Just Use My Own?” 

Your furniture was chosen for your lifestyle, not to appeal to the broadest range of buyers. Personal items, family photos, and worn pieces can actually distract buyers from seeing your home’s potential.

Professional staging uses neutral, on-trend pieces that help buyers envision their own life in the space.

Ready to Get Your Home Sold?

Essentially, empty homes tend to sit longer and sell for less in comparison to professionally staged homes. 

Here’s the catch—not all staging is equal. Outdated furniture and limited inventory won’t get you the results you’re paying for. At Novari, we’ve invested over a million dollars in constantly updated pieces that reflect what today’s buyers want. 

We’ve staged over 10,000 homes since 2007 because we know what works. Your home deserves more than just “more furniture.” It deserves the right furniture, styled by experts who understand today’s competitive market.

Let’s get your home sold. Contact Novari Collective for a consultation and see exactly how professional staging will help you sell your home.