Home staging is often overlooked until it’s time to sell — but it shouldn’t be. When done correctly, staging can significantly increase your home’s appeal, reduce time on market, and even raise your final sale price.
As trusted Guelph real estate agents, we stage nearly every home we sell, and in most cases, we pay for it. We know that professionally staged homes perform better, and the return on investment far outweighs the cost.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about home staging in Guelph, including tips, costs, and how we make it stress-free for you.
💡 What Is Home Staging?
Home staging is the process of preparing your home to appeal to the broadest number of buyers. It can include:
- Decluttering and depersonalizing
- Rearranging or replacing furniture
- Neutral décor and artwork
- Light cosmetic updates like painting
- Enhancing curb appeal
The goal? To help buyers visualize themselves in your space — and feel emotionally connected from the moment they see the listing photos.
💰 Is Home Staging Worth It?
Absolutely. Home staging is no longer optional — it’s a strategic advantage. In fact, we stage some element of almost 90% of homes we list. What’s the downside, really?
📸 Especially in the Digital Age
Buyers today make snap decisions based on listing photos. With fewer in-person open houses and more digital-first viewings, a well-staged home can stand out instantly online.
📈 The ROI of Staging
According to a 2021 NAR study, 41% of listing agents said home staging increased a home’s value by 1–10%. For a $750,000 home in Guelph, that’s an added $7,500–$75,000.
🏠 Can I Stage Just Part of My Home?
Yes — and it’s common.
We often stage:
- Vacant guest rooms
- Finished basements
- Outdoor patios or decks
The most important rooms to stage are:
- Living room (46%)
- Primary bedroom (43%)
- Kitchen (35%)
On the flip side, kids’ bedrooms and guest rooms are less critical — though still worth tidying up.
💵 Does Home Staging Increase My Home’s Value?
While it’s hard to give an exact number, the answer is almost always yes.
Buyers often perceive unstaged homes as needing work, or not well maintained. That can lead to fewer offers or lower offers.
We believe so strongly in staging that we pay for it, saving you thousands and giving you the best chance to maximize your selling price.
🤔 Why Doesn’t Every Realtor Offer Home Staging?
Some agents avoid staging due to cost, time, or lack of trusted vendor relationships. But we believe that skipping staging is a missed opportunity.
Even in a seller’s market, why leave $10K+ on the table?
That’s why we work closely with professional Guelph stagers — and cover the cost in nearly every sale we handle.
⏱️ How Long Does the Staging Process Take?
From consultation to sold sign, the entire process usually takes 2–3 weeks.
🗒️ 1. Staging Consultation
A professional stager visits your home to assess the space and provide a checklist. This includes:
- Rearranging or removing furniture
- Removing personal items
- Painting suggestions
- Decluttering strategies
🪑 2. Staging Implementation
The stager returns with furniture and décor, sets up the space, and gets everything camera-ready for your listing photos.
🙋 Do I Have to Follow All the Stager’s Advice?
No — but we highly recommend it. Their goal is the same as yours: a fast sale at top dollar. Even if you don’t personally love the look, remember — you won’t be living there anymore.
🛋️ How Do I Live in a Staged Home?
It can be tricky. Ideally, stay with friends, family, or at a hotel during showings. This keeps the home pristine — just like it appears in the listing photos.
If anything breaks during staging, just let us know. There’s no penalty to you.
🛠️ 4 Quick Home Staging Tips
1. Clean, Clean, Clean
Make every inch sparkle — even appliance interiors, baseboards, and bathrooms. A clean home shows pride of ownership.
2. Declutter & Depersonalize
Less is more. Pack away personal items and use neutral décor so buyers can picture their own life in the space.
[Check out our blog on Guelph junk removal companies for decluttering help.]
3. Fix Minor Issues
That squeaky door or scuffed trim may seem small to you, but buyers notice everything. Knock out repairs before listing.
4. Trust the Process
Detach emotionally and lean on your stager’s expertise. They’re trained to appeal to buyer psychology — not just aesthetics.
💲 What Does Home Staging Cost?
- Initial consultation: $300–$600
- Staged rooms: $500–$600/month each
A vacant home costs more, but many times only a few key rooms need staging. And remember — we often cover these costs for you.
🤷 Who Pays for Home Staging?
Some agents pass the cost to the seller. We don’t.
We almost always cover staging costs. It’s part of our strategy to get you more money, faster.
🖥️ What About Virtual Staging?
Virtual staging is a newer trend, but it’s not without pitfalls. While it looks great in photos, it can disappoint buyers in person if the home is empty. Although virtual staging has a role in real estate, it’s not a go-to for us. We’d rather have someone come and personally give their advice to you.
📞 Ready to Stage and Sell in Guelph?
We believe in professional staging, beautiful marketing, and smooth closings — all included in our service.
Whether you’re thinking of selling now or six months from now, we’d love to chat and show you how staging can increase your home’s value.
👉 Contact us today to book a free consultation.
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