Is Staging A Vacant Home Worth It?
- Blake Fox
- Oct 31
- 4 min read
Selling a vacant property in New Jersey's competitive market presents unique challenges that many homeowners and investors underestimate. Blake Fox Interiors has staged hundreds of vacant homes across northern New Jersey since 2020, consistently demonstrating that professional home staging delivers measurable returns that far exceed the initial investment.
The Problem with Empty Properties
Vacant homes create psychological barriers that can derail sales before they begin.
Empty Rooms Feel Smaller
Without furniture to provide visual reference points, vacant rooms appear cramped and awkward, even when square footage is generous. Buyers struggle to process spatial dimensions in empty spaces.
Buyers Can't Envision Their Life There
Flex spaces, bonus rooms, and unusual layouts confuse buyers when unfurnished. Without staging to show possibilities, most buyers won't make the mental effort. They walk through quickly and move on to the next showing.
Poor Online Presentation
In today's digital-first market, your online listing is your first showing. Empty rooms photograph poorly, creating dark, uninviting images that fail to attract clicks. Buyers skip properties based on lackluster photos, meaning they never schedule showings.
The Financial Case for Vacant Home Staging
The numbers prove staging's value.
Staged Homes Sell Faster
According to the National Association of Realtors, staged homes spend 73% less time on the market than non-staged properties. In New Jersey communities like Montclair, Glen Ridge, and Essex Fells, reducing time on market by even a few weeks saves thousands in mortgage payments, utilities, taxes, and insurance.
Staged Homes Sell for More
Studies consistently show that staged homes sell for 5-15% more than comparable unstaged properties. On a $500,000 home, that's $25,000 to $75,000 in additional proceeds, far more than staging costs.
The ROI Calculation
Blake Fox Interiors offers vacant home staging for single-family homes up to 1,500 square feet, starting at $3,000. Consider a typical scenario:
Staging investment: $3,000-$5,000
Reduced carrying costs:Â $2,000-$4,000 (faster sale)
Increased sale price:Â $25,000+ (conservative 5% premium)
Net benefit:Â $20,000-$26,000+
The return on investment is substantial.
What Professional Staging Provides
Strategic Furniture Selection
Professional stagers choose properly scaled furniture that makes rooms feel spacious and functional. Blake Fox Interiors brings expertise from NYC fashion and visual merchandising to create cohesive, appealing spaces.
Lifestyle Presentation
Staging tells a story about the life buyers could live in the home. A staged dining room suggests entertaining friends. A styled home office shows productive workdays in natural light. These cues help buyers imagine themselves in the space.
Professional Photography
Staged rooms photograph beautifully, creating eye-catching listing photos that generate showings. With 97% of buyers starting their search online, professional photos are essential.
Addressing Common Objections
"The House Will Sell Anyway"
Maybe—but at what cost? Every additional week on the market means continued expenses. Properties that sit too long require price reductions that exceed what staging would have cost.
"Buyers Have Imagination"
Most buyers view multiple properties in one day. They're tired and overwhelmed. They won't use imagination on your property when the next showing is already staged and ready to impress.
"Virtual Staging Is Cheaper"
Virtual staging costs less but disappoints buyers who arrive expecting furnished rooms. This disappointment kills deals. It also does nothing for the in-person showing experience.
When Vacant Staging Is Most Valuable
Competitive Markets
In neighborhoods with multiple comparable listings, staging differentiates your property. Blake Fox Interiors works extensively throughout northern New Jersey's competitive markets, where staging makes the difference between quick sales and stagnant listings.
Higher Price Points
As property values increase, so do buyer expectations. Luxury and upper-mid-range buyers ($600,000+) expect a professional presentation.
Challenging Layouts
Properties with unusual floor plans, small rooms, or awkward spaces benefit enormously from staging. Professional furniture placement transforms perceived liabilities into assets.
Full-House vs. Partial Staging
Budget considerations might lead you to partial staging, which focuses on key rooms.
Key Rooms to Prioritize
Living Room: Sets the tone and is the most photographed space
Primary Bedroom: Creates emotional connection
Kitchen: Strategic styling with accessories makes it feel warm
Dining Room: Demonstrates purpose and adds sophistication
Making the Staging Decision
Consider these factors:
Property Value: Higher-priced properties justify larger staging investments. A $500,000+ home should absolutely be staged.
Market Conditions: Even in hot markets, staged homes sell faster and for more money.
Your Timeline: If you're paying mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities on a vacant property, staging eliminates months of these expenses.
Carrying Costs: Calculate your monthly expenses, then recognize that staging could eliminate several months of those costs.
The Bottom Line
The data proves vacant home staging works:
Staged homes sell 73% faster
Staged homes sell for 5-15% more
Empty rooms confuse and disappoint buyers
Staging costs are recovered many times over
Transform Your Vacant Property
Professional staging isn't an expense; it's a strategic investment with proven returns. Blake Fox Interiors brings years of experience, an eye for design honed in NYC fashion and visual merchandising, and a track record of successful sales throughout northern New Jersey.
Schedule your estimate today and learn how vacant home staging can transform your property's market performance. Tara and Adam look forward to partnering with you to create a staged space that attracts serious buyers and delivers results.