This is a question that most people ask, and for obvious reasons. Whether you're an investor or a regular home owner, you always want to know what you're bottom line is going to be and how much marketing is going to eat into your equity/profit.

Generally I tell people "the investment is staging is far less than your first price reduction". This is true. A price reduction will generally start at $5,000 and go on up from there depending on the price of the home. Staging is not nearly that large of an investment and is definitely worth trying before you start lowering your prices. You will get an average of $3-$5 for every $1 you spend on staging and sometimes an even better return on your investment.

Depending on the size of the home, how much staging is done, and the quality of the furniture, you can plan to spend anywhere from $1000.00 to $3000.00 and sometimes more. Plus you will be paying a monthly furniture rental fee that will range generally between $300 and $500 per month, sometimes more. While to some people, this may seem steep, this is one thing you can spend your money on and KNOW you will get a return on your investment. It's just a proven statistic that staging works.

Now.. BEWARE of the home stagers that charge less than this, especially if it's dramatically less. Although from time to time, especially in the winter, home stagers may offer specials, etc you need to be cautious because this is one area where you generally will get what you pay for. If you get a bid from a reputable company for $1300.00 to stage your vacant home and another home stager offers the staging for $900.00 you may want to find out what all is being included and how many homes they've done. Not all home stagers are created equal. Get references, check out pictures and websites and ask for their statistics.