The holidays are coming and It’s a buyer’s market. That combination might make some sellers think “wait until spring,” but they should give that some thought the opposite can be true: strategic staging now can make your home stand out, sell faster, and even net you more money.
Why Now Is a Great Time to Stage: Selling in a Buyer’s Market, Even Over the Holidays.
This may sound scary, but with the proper planning and staging in place you can be successful. When inventory grows and buyers have more homes to choose from, first impressions matter. Professional staging helps buyers emotionally connect with a home, shortens time on market, and can have a big influence on offers all crucial advantages when the market favors buyers.
Staging moves the needle (national data you can trust)
The National Association of Realtors’ Profile of Home Staging found that staging often helps homes sell faster and that agents routinely report staged homes can get higher offers — many sellers see offers rise by 1–5% (and some report 1–10%). The median spent on professional staging was about $1,500. NAR
Other industry summaries show that staged homes attract more online interest and buyer visits — increasing traffic where it counts (online photos and first in-person tours). That attention can be the difference between a long listing and a quick sale.
St. Johns County remains a desirable market, with median home values and list prices well above many neighboring counties — but recent reporting shows more inventory and easing prices in Northeast Florida as the market rebalances. That means buyers have more options and more negotiating power — making staging a competitive edge for sellers here.
Why staging helps in a buyer’s market (and during the holidays)
- Stand out from rising inventory — When buyers can choose from many homes, the listing with that they can connect with visually and wins the most attention
- Shorter time on market — Staged homes are frequently reported to sell faster — help avoid the “stale listing” effect that forces price cuts. NAR
- Better online photos — Most buyers start online. Homes that photograph well get more clicks and more showings. When a prospective buyer is browsing online you want to catch their attention to stop their scroll, staging makes that possible.
- Holiday staging done right — Tasteful, minimal holiday decor can make a house feel warm and welcoming without distracting buyers from the home’s features. Over-decorating, personal photos, or clutter will hurt more than help. I would discourage heavy holiday decorations if you’re home is listed.
Practical staging tips for the holidays
- Keep holiday décor simple and neutral —A seasonal wreath, and a few festive accents are enough.
- Declutter and depersonalize first — buyers must picture themselves in the space, and that’s hard with lots of family photos or busy surfaces which will distract buyers and make them feel disconnected from the space.
- The most important spaces to Highlight is your living room and primary bedroom — NAR surveys show these are the most important rooms to stage for buyer impressions. Investopedia
- Boost curb appeal — a clean walkway and porch, go a long way in winter showings.
- Prioritize high-ROI projects: fresh paint in neutral tones, updated lighting, and professional staging for the main rooms in a vacant listing.
Staging matters in every market, but in a buyer’s market and during the holidays it can be the difference between waiting for offers and receiving the right offer quickly. Ready to stage for success? Let Staged & Done show buyers exactly why your house should be their next home.
- NAR — Profile of Home Staging (2025). NAR
- NAR buyer/agent survey summaries on living room / staging importance. Investopedia
- Zillow — St. Johns County market snapshot (Zillow Home Value Index, median/list prices, days to pending). Zillow
- Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS® market reports (local inventory and pricing trends). Northeast FL REALTORS®
- Home Staging Institute / industry summaries on staging ROI & buyer behavior. Home Staging Institute
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