Now that buyers have more options for their move, you need to be a bit more intentional about making sure your house looks its best when you sell. And proper staging can be a great way to do just that.

What Is Home Staging?

It’s not about making your house look super trendy or like it belongs in a magazine. It’s about helping it feel welcoming and move-in ready, so it’s easy for buyers to picture themselves living there.

It’s important to understand there’s a range when it comes to staging. It can include everything from simple tweaks to more extensive setups, depending on your needs and budget. But a little bit of time, effort, and money invested in this process can really make a difference when you sell – especially in today’s market.

A study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows staged homes sell faster and for more money than homes that aren’t staged at all (see below):

Which Rooms Matter Most?

The best part is, odds are you don’t have to stage your whole house to make an impact. According to NAR, here’s where buyers’ agents say staging can make the biggest difference (see graph below):

As you can see, agents who talk to buyers regularly agree, the most important spaces to stage are the rooms where buyers will spend the most time, like the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen.

While this can give you a good general idea of what may be worth it and what’s probably not, it can’t match a local agent’s expertise.

How an Agent Helps You Decide What You Need To Do

Agents are experts on what buyers are looking for where you live, because they hear that feedback all the time in showings, home tours, walkthroughs, and from other agents. And they’ll use those insights to give their opinion on your specific house and what areas may need a little bit of staging help, like if you need to:

• Declutter and depersonalize by removing photos and personal items
• Arrange your furniture to improve the room’s flow and make it feel bigger
• Add plants, move art, or re-arrange other accessories

A lot of buyers can use the agent’s know-how as the only staging advice they need. But, if your home needs more of a transformation, or it’s empty and could benefit from rented furniture, a great agent will be able to determine if bringing in a professional stager might be a good idea, too. Just know that level of help comes with a higher price tag. NAR reports:

“The median dollar value spent when using a staging service was $1,500, compared to $500 when the sellers’ agent personally staged the home.”

A local agent will help you weigh the costs and benefits based on your budget, your timeline, and the overall condition of your house. They’ll also consider how quickly similar homes are selling nearby and what buyers are expecting at your price point.

Bottom Line

Staging doesn’t have to be over-the-top or expensive. It just needs to help buyers feel at home. And a great agent will help you figure out the level of staging that makes the most sense for your goals.

Which room in your house do you think would make the biggest impression on a buyer?

Get an agent to walk through your home with you and go over what will make your house stand out.

Source: Keeping Current Matters

Realty Executives Midwest

1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561

Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Some Highlights

• Are you wondering what to expect if you buy or sell a home in the second half of the year? Here’s what the expert forecasts tell you.
• Mortgage rates are expected to come down slightly. There will be more homes available for sale. And as inventory rises, home price growth will moderate.
• Want to know what this could mean for your plans? Connect with a local agent and talk through it together.

Source: Keeping Current Matters

Realty Executives Midwest

1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561

Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

At some point, you’ve probably heard the saying: “Yesterday was the best time to buy a home, but the next best time is today.”

That’s because homeownership is about the long game – and home prices typically rise over time. So, while you may be holding out for prices to fall or rates to improve, you should know that trying to time the market rarely works.

Here’s what most buyers don’t always think about: the longer you wait, the more buying could cost you. And you deserve to understand why.

Forecasts Say Prices Will Keep Climbing

Each quarter, over 100 housing market experts weigh in for the Home Price Expectations Survey from Fannie Mae, and they consistently agree on one thing: nationally, home prices are expected to rise through at least 2029.

Yes, the sharp price increases are behind us, but experts project a steady, healthy, and sustainable increase of 3-4% per year going forward. And while this will vary by local market from year to year, the good news is, this is a much more normal pace – a welcome sign for the housing market and hopeful buyers (see graph below):

And even in markets experiencing more modest price growth or slight short-term declines, the long game of homeownership wins over time.

So, here’s what to keep in mind:

• Next year’s home prices will be higher than this year’s. The longer you wait, the more the purchase price will go up.
• Waiting for the perfect mortgage rate or a price drop may backfire. Even if rates dip slightly, projected home price growth could still make waiting more expensive overall.
• Buying now means building equity sooner. When you play the long game of homeownership, your equity rewards you over time.

What You’ll Miss Out On

Let’s put real numbers into this equation, because it adds up quickly. Based on those expert projections, if you bought a typical $400,000 home in 2025, it could gain nearly $80,000 in value by 2030 (see graph below):

That’s a serious boost to your future wealth – and why your friends and family who already bought a home are so glad they did. Time in the market matters.

So, the question isn’t: should I wait? It’s really: can I afford to buy now? Because if you can stretch a little or you’re willing to buy something a bit smaller just to get your foot in the door, this is why it’ll be worth it.

Yes, today’s housing market has challenges, but there are ways to make it work, like exploring different neighborhoods, asking your lender about alternative financing, or tapping into down payment assistance programs.

The key is making a move when it makes sense for you, rather than waiting for a perfect scenario that may never arrive.

Bottom Line

Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market.

If you’re debating whether to buy now or wait, remember this: real estate rewards those who get in the market, not those who try to time it perfectly.

Want to take a look at what’s happening with prices in your local area? Whether you're ready to buy now or just exploring your options, having a plan in place can set you up for long-term success.

Source: Keeping Current Matters

Realty Executives Midwest

1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561

Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com