Updated October 2026

Yes, for most Chicago homes. Across our team's listings, staged homes sold for a higher share of list price and went under contract about 12 days sooner than our listings overall, and homes we staged in 2025 sold for an average of $13,667 over list price. National research points the same way: in the National Association of Realtors' 2025 Profile of Home Staging, 83% of buyers' agents said staging made it easier for buyers to picture a home as their own.

What our listings show

Source: Camille Canales Group listings, [date range]. Homes staged in 2025 sold for an average of $13,667 over list price.

Staging isn't the only difference between these groups, since homes we stage also get our full pricing and marketing plan. But the pattern is consistent: staged homes draw stronger offers and spend less time waiting for the right buyer.

What national research says

The National Association of Realtors' 2025 Profile of Home Staging surveyed agents across the country:

• 83% of buyers' agents said staging made it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home.
• 29% of sellers' agents saw a 1% to 10% increase in the dollar value offered on staged homes.
• 49% of sellers' agents said staging reduced a home's time on the market.
• Buyers' agents said the most important rooms to stage are the living room, the primary bedroom and the kitchen.

When staging matters most in Chicago

• Vacant homes. Empty rooms photograph small and make it hard to judge scale. Staging shows where the sofa and the bed actually go.
• Condos and smaller spaces. In a two-bedroom condo, staging proves the dining table fits and the second bedroom can be an office.
• Vintage layouts. Chicago greystones and two-flats often have long hallways, narrow rooms and small kitchens. Staging shows buyers how to live in them.
• Competitive price points. When several similar condos are on the market nearby, the staged one usually wins the online click and the first showing.

Not every home needs full staging. Homes with strong existing furniture or standout architecture may only need editing and styling. Our guide Should I Stage My Chicago Home? walks through when it matters and when it doesn't.

What staging costs and how to pay for it

Nationally, the median cost of hiring a staging service was $1,500 in NAR's 2025 survey. In Chicago, the cost depends on whether the home is vacant or occupied, how many rooms are staged and how long the home is on the market. A vacant home staged throughout costs more than styling an occupied one.

Two ways to manage the cost:

• Compass Concierge can front the cost of staging and other pre-listing improvements, with no upfront payment and no interest. You repay it when the home sells.
• Partial staging focuses on the rooms buyers care about most: the living room, primary bedroom and kitchen.

Compare that with the alternative: even a 2% price reduction on a $700,000 home is $14,000, many times the median cost of staging.

Staging mistakes to avoid

Too much furniture, overly personal décor, staging only some rooms in a vacant home and skipping repairs that photos will show all work against you. We cover these in The Biggest Home Staging Mistakes That Cost Chicago Sellers Thousands.

Real Chicago staging examples

See how staging looked in some of our recent listings:

• 2219 N. Campbell Avenue, Unit 2S
• 1633 N. Fairfield Avenue
• 2725 N. Albany Avenue
• 2906 N. Woodard Street
• 3809 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Unit H
• 1627 N. Fairfield Avenue, Unit 2

Home staging FAQ

Does home staging really work? For most homes, yes. Our staged listings sold for a higher share of list price and went under contract faster than our listings overall, and national surveys of agents show the same pattern.

How much does home staging cost in Chicago? It depends on the size of the home, whether it's vacant and how long it's listed. NAR's 2025 survey put the national median for a staging service at $1,500, and vacant, whole-home staging typically costs more.

Which rooms should I stage? Start with the living room, primary bedroom and kitchen, the three rooms buyers' agents say matter most.

Can I stage a home I'm still living in? Yes. Occupied staging usually means editing what you have, adding a few key pieces and styling for photos, and it costs less than staging a vacant home.

Who pays for staging? Usually the seller. Compass Concierge can cover it up front so you repay it from the sale proceeds.

Talk to us about staging your home

Thinking about selling? We'll walk through your home, tell you whether staging is worth it and what to focus on, and pair it with a pricing and marketing plan through our 3-Phased Marketing approach. Start with a free home valuation or call Camille Canales and our team at 773-377-9200.