Virtual Staging Statistics 2026: The Definitive Data

This page compiles the most current, cited statistics on virtual staging, home staging ROI, and staging impact on real estate sales. Updated quarterly. All statistics include original sources.

Last updated: January 2026

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Key Takeaways

• Staged homes sell for 1-10% more than unstaged homes (NAR 2025)
• Staged homes sell 73% faster than unstaged homes (RESA 2024)
• Virtual staging costs up to 97% less than physical staging
• 83% of buyers' agents say staging helps buyers visualize a property (NAR 2025)
• 81% of buyers find it easier to visualize staged properties online (NAR 2025)

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Virtual Staging Cost Statistics

Virtual staging costs $5-50 per image. AI-powered platforms like StageChimp start free and offer paid plans at $19/month for 20 images.

Physical staging costs $2,500-5,000+ per listing. This includes furniture rental, delivery, setup, styling, and removal.

Virtual staging is up to 97% cheaper than physical staging. A full-home virtual staging costs $25-300 versus $2,500-5,000+ for physical staging.

The average virtual staging cost per image is $15-25 on most platforms. Subscription plans reduce per-image costs for high-volume users.

Physical staging rental fees average $500-800 per month. Most listings require 30-60 days of staging, adding significant carrying costs.

Sources: The Zebra 2025, NAR Research, Industry pricing data

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Home Staging ROI Statistics

29% of sellers' agents report staging increased offers by 1-10%. On a $500,000 home, this represents $5,000-$50,000 in additional value. (NAR 2025)

75% of sellers who staged saw ROI of 5-15% over asking price. Three-quarters of staged home sellers exceeded their target price. (RESA 2024)

Staged homes sell for an average of $40,000 more than unstaged homes. This median increase varies by market but direction is consistent. (RESA 2024)

The average staging investment returns 8-10% of the home's sale price. Staging consistently delivers positive ROI across price points. (NAR Research)

23% of sellers' agents report staging increased offers by 1-5%. Even conservative estimates show meaningful price improvement. (NAR 2025)

58% of sellers' agents believe staging increases the dollar value of offers. The majority of listing agents have seen staging impact offer amounts. (NAR 2025)

Sources: National Association of Realtors 2025, Real Estate Staging Association 2024

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Days on Market Statistics

Staged homes spend 73% less time on market than unstaged homes. This is one of the most significant findings in real estate marketing research. (RESA 2024)

Unstaged homes average 184 days on market. Staged homes average 23 days. The difference is 161 days of carrying costs, price reductions, and stale listing risk. (RESA 2024)

49% of sellers' agents say staging decreases time on market. Nearly half of all listing agents have witnessed faster sales from staging. (NAR 2025)

Homes staged before listing sell 87% faster than those staged after sitting on market. Timing matters—stage before listing, not as a rescue strategy. (RESA)

95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less. When buyers connect emotionally with staged spaces, they act quickly. (RESA 2024)

Sources: Real Estate Staging Association 2024, National Association of Realtors 2025

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Buyer Perception Statistics

83% of buyers' agents say staging helps buyers visualize a property as their future home. The vast majority of buyer agents recognize staging's impact. (NAR 2025)

81% of buyers find it easier to visualize staged properties online. With 97% of buyers starting their search online, this statistic is critical. (NAR 2025)

81% of buyers say staging makes it easier to visualize the property as their future home. Buyers need staging to make emotional connections. (NAR 2025)

47% of buyers say staging positively affected their perception of the home. Nearly half explicitly acknowledge staging's influence on their feelings. (NAR)

Buyers spend 40% more time in staged homes during showings. Longer showings mean deeper emotional investment. (RESA)

Only 8% of sellers' agents say staging has no impact on buyer perception. The overwhelming consensus: staging works. (NAR 2025)

Sources: National Association of Realtors 2025, Real Estate Staging Association

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Room-Specific Staging Statistics

37% of buyers say the living room is the most important room to stage. The living room sets the emotional tone for the entire property. (NAR 2025)

34% of buyers say the primary bedroom is the most important room to stage. Buyers imagine waking up in this space daily. (NAR 2025)

23% of buyers say the kitchen is the most important room to stage. Kitchens are harder to stage but lifestyle touches make a difference. (NAR 2025)

Only 7% of buyers consider guest bedroom staging important. Focus budget on living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen first. (NAR 2025)

Source: National Association of Realtors 2025

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Virtual Staging vs Physical Staging

Virtual staging delivers results in under 30 seconds with AI tools. Traditional virtual staging takes 24-48 hours with human designers.

Physical staging takes 5-14 days to coordinate. This includes furniture selection, delivery scheduling, setup, and styling.

85% of virtually staged homes sell faster than non-staged homes. Virtual staging produces comparable results to physical staging at a fraction of cost. (Industry Research)

Listings with virtually staged photos receive 40% more online engagement. More clicks, saves, and showing requests. (Real Estate Photography Association)

Virtual staging works best for online marketing (MLS, Zillow, social media). Physical staging adds additional value during in-person showings.

Sources: Industry Research, Real Estate Photography Association

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Agent Adoption Statistics

26% of sellers' agents stage all homes before listing. About one in four agents have made staging standard practice. (NAR 2025)

The remaining 74% stage selectively or not at all. With virtual staging now available under $1 per image, cost is no longer a barrier.

Video listings receive 403% more inquiries than non-video listings. AI video generation is becoming the next frontier after virtual staging. (NAR)

Sources: National Association of Realtors 2025

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Online Listing Statistics

97% of homebuyers use the internet during their home search. Online presentation determines which properties get showing requests. (NAR 2025)

Listings with professional photos sell for $3,000-$11,000 more. Photo quality directly impacts sale price. (Redfin)

Homes with high-quality photos sell 32% faster. Professional photography is table stakes; staging is the competitive edge. (VHT Studios)

The first photo determines whether buyers click. Staged hero images dramatically outperform empty room shots in search results.

Sources: National Association of Realtors 2025, Redfin, VHT Studios

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Summary: Virtual Staging by the Numbers

• Price increase from staging: 1-10% (NAR 2025)
• Time on market reduction: 73% faster (RESA 2024)
• Virtual staging cost: $5-50/image (Industry data)
• Physical staging cost: $2,500-5,000+ (Industry data)
• Cost savings with virtual: Up to 97%
• Buyers helped by staging: 83% (NAR 2025)
• Most important room: Living room at 37% (NAR 2025)
• Agents who always stage: 26% (NAR 2025)

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Sources

National Association of Realtors (NAR)

• 2025 Profile of Home Staging
• 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
• NAR Research Group

Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)

• 2024 State of the Industry Report
• 2024 Member Survey Data

Additional Sources

• The Zebra, Home Staging Statistics 2025
• Redfin, Real Estate Photography Study
• VHT Studios, Listing Photo Impact Research
• Real Estate Photography Association

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About This Data

This page is maintained by StageChimp and updated quarterly with the latest industry statistics. All data is sourced from reputable industry organizations and research firms.

Methodology: Statistics are compiled from primary sources including NAR annual reports, RESA member surveys, and peer-reviewed real estate research. We prioritize recent data (2024-2025) and note when older statistics remain the most current available.

Corrections: If you identify an error or have updated data to share, contact us at hello@stagechimp.com.

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Related Reading

• 27 Home Staging Statistics Every Real Estate Agent Needs to Know in 2026
• Virtual Staging vs Physical Staging: Which Is Right for Your Listing in 2026?
• The Complete Guide to Virtual Staging for Real Estate in 2026

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