The 5% Home Staging Hack That’s Outselling Unprepped Homes

When you’re selling your home, every little advantage counts. In today’s competitive New Zealand property market, a simple, data-backed strategy is helping sellers get up to 5% more for their homes—often tens of thousands of extra dollars in your pocket. The secret? Home staging.

If you’re tempted to list your property “as is,” you’ll want to read this first. Let’s break down the numbers, the psychology, and the practical steps to make sure your home isn’t left behind.

Why Staging Makes a Difference: The Data

It’s not just interior designers who love staging—so do buyers, and the numbers prove it. According to a 2023 report by CoreLogic NZ2023 Property Market Update: Impact of Home Staging on Sale Prices, staged homes in Auckland and Wellington consistently achieve sale prices 4-6% higher than similar un-staged properties in the same area and market conditions. That means a $900,000 home could net you an extra $45,000 with the right presentation.

But it’s not just about the sale price. Recent data from Trade Me PropertyStaged vs. Unstaged Homes: 2023 Click-Through Data shows that listings with professionally staged photos receive 38% more online views compared to un-staged counterparts. More eyes mean more open home attendees, more competition, and ultimately, better offers.

And it doesn’t stop at clicks: Barfoot & Thompson2024 Home Seller Survey: The ROI of Professional Staging found staged homes attract 30% more in-person visits and spend 25% less time on the market than their unprepped neighbours. If you’re aiming for a quick, lucrative sale, staging is no longer an optional extra—it’s a proven strategy.

The Seller’s Dilemma: To Stage or Not to Stage?

Many Kiwi sellers ask: “Is it really worth spending money on home staging?” Let’s address the most common concerns:

• “My place is tidy. Isn’t that enough?”
  Tidy and staged are not the same. Staging creates a lifestyle buyers aspire to—neutral, spacious, and inviting. It depersonalises your home, letting buyers imagine their own life there.
• “It’s an extra cost. Will I get it back?”
  With a 5% price premium on offer, the return on investment is clear. Home staging in NZ typically costs between $2,000-$4,000. On a $900,000 property, even a 3% price lift ($27,000) far outweighs the upfront cost.
• “I can do it myself, right?”
  While a DIY approach can help, pro stagers have a keen eye for buyer psychology and know how to accentuate your home’s best features. Data shows professionally staged homes outperform both DIY and empty properties.

The Psychology of Staging: Why Buyers Fall in Love

Staged homes create an emotional connection. According to REINZBuyers decide within 30 seconds (REINZ data), buyers make up their minds within the first 30 seconds of entering a property. Good staging emphasises light, space, and flow, helping buyers picture themselves cooking in the kitchen, relaxing in the lounge, or enjoying the garden.

Online, this effect is amplified. With most buyers starting their search on Trade Me, OneRoof, or realestate.co.nz, professional photos of a staged home stand out in a sea of cluttered or empty rooms. In a split second, your listing goes from “just another house” to “my dream home.”

Actionable Steps: How to Get the 5% Staging Advantage

Pain Points Solved: Faster Sales, Higher Prices, Less Stress

The biggest pain point for most sellers is uncertainty. Will your home sell in time? Will you get the price you want? Staging removes some of that risk by putting your property in the best possible light—literally and figuratively.

With the current median days to sell in New Zealand hovering around 40 days (REINZ, May 2024), staged homes are frequently selling in under 30. That’s less time juggling open homes, less stress, and a quicker move to your next chapter.

Final Word: Don’t Leave Money on the Table

In today’s market, selling a home is too important to leave to chance. Staging is a proven, data-backed hack that routinely delivers a 5% price advantage, more buyer interest, and faster sales.

If you want the best possible result from your property sale, staging isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a smart, results-driven investment.

References:

• CoreLogic NZ, “2023 Property Market Update: Impact of Home Staging on Sale Prices”
• Trade Me Property Insights, “Staged vs. Unstaged Homes: 2023 Click-Through Data”
• Barfoot & Thompson, “2024 Home Seller Survey: The ROI of Professional Staging”