Is staging worth it for your Central Florida home in today's market?
Is staging my vacant home necessary? Understand the ROI of staging your home in Clermont, Winter Garden, Windermere, or Minneola in the current market and when to skip it.
SELLING A HOME
Eric Stalnaker
9/11/20251 min read
Staging feels a little extra — but if you treat your listing like a product, staging becomes one of the smartest investments you can make. In today's market, when buyers are less panicked and more selective, presenting well can pay off.
Why staging matters now:
Homes are on the market longer: With average days on market rising, making a strong first impression is more important than ever. (Spectrum News 13)
Increased inventory: Buyers have more options — you need to stand out visually and emotionally.
Agents and listing sites reward staging: Photos of staged homes perform better in listing algorithms, driving more showings.
High-impact staging moves:
Focus on the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom — these areas influence buyer perception the most.
Use neutral but warm color palettes: Light, soft tones help buyers imagine their life in your space.
Remove clutter and personal items: That includes your piles of papers, family photos, and … yes, even your cat’s litter box.
Use lightweight, stylish furniture: You don’t need to spend huge, but enough to define purpose.
When you might skip or scale back:
If you’re listing in a $2M-plus Windermere home, a full luxury staging could pay, but only if comps justify it.
If your home is already very clean, updated, and has strong natural appeal, “light staging” (just a few rented pieces) may be enough.
If you’re pricing aggressively low, staging costs might not deliver as much incremental return and simply staging your home virtually will suffice.
Later 2025, Early 2026 insight:
As buyer demand strengthens (if rates drop even a little), weeks-on-market may tighten. Well-staged homes could even attract competitive offers again — but only if they look intentional and move-in ready.
Bottom line:
Staging is a tool, not a magic wand. In today’s Central Florida market, it’s one of the best weapons you have to make your home feel like the one buyers must pick.
Want a staging plan that fits your budget and maximizes ROI? I’ll walk through your home (or photos) and map out exactly what to stage, what to skip, and why.
