When sellers ask me how to prepare their home for the market, the conversation almost always turns to staging . Sometimes the reaction is enthusiastic. Sometimes it’s hesitation: "Do we really need to stage the house?" It’s a fair question. According to the 2025 Profile of Home Staging Report from the National Association of REALTORS® , staging can make a meaningful difference in how buyers perceive a home—and how quickly it sells. Let’s take a look at what the research shows. Buyers Need Help Seeing the Possibilities 👀 One of the biggest challenges buyers face when touring homes is imagining their life there. Rooms may feel too small, awkwardly arranged, or just hard to visualize. That’s where staging helps. 📊 The report found: 83% of buyers’ agents say staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home. 60% say staging affects some buyers’ perception of a home. In other words, staging helps buyers move from “This house is interesting” t...
If you're thinking about remodeling, whether to enjoy your home now or to prepare it for sale, one question matters most: Will I get my money back? According to the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, some projects deliver significantly better resale value than others. Here are the 10 remodeling projects with the highest estimated cost recovery at resale , plus insights on why they matter. 1️⃣ New Steel Front Door — 100% Cost Recovery 🚪 Estimated Return: 100% This is the only project on the list that fully recovers its cost. Why it works: Immediate curb appeal boost Improved security Energy efficiency Relatively low upfront investment First impressions matter. When buyers walk up to a home, the front door sets the tone. 2️⃣ Closet Renovation — 83% Cost Recovery 👗 Estimated Return: 83% Storage is a top priority for today’s buyers. Why it works: Maximizes usable space Feels luxu...