To Stage or Not to Stage?

It’s one of the most common questions we hear from sellers.

Great architecture. Natural light. Wonderful location. Shouldn’t a good property simply sell itself?

In theory, yes. In practice, buyers are still making emotional decisions in a physical world. The first showing is online, but the magic happens the moment you step through the door.

What the data shows

According to the National Association of Realtors:
> 49% of sellers’ agents report staging reduces days on market
> 29% say staging increases what buyers are willing to pay, in some cases by up to 10%
> 83% of buyers’ agents say staging helps buyers visualize the property as their future home

What Buyers Respond to

We brought 150 Coronada Circle to the market in August 2024 unstaged at $4,250,000. There was activity, but no offers. A price adjustment to $3,995,000 in September didn’t change the outcome.

In November, we staged the property and updated the photography. Within a month, we were in escrow and the home closed at full price!

Can an unstaged home sell? Absolutely. But our role isn’t to rely on hope, it’s to make a property’s value unmistakable from the start.

What Happened in Montecito Last Week?

January 25th – January 31st

neighborhood spotlight

The Mesa

The Mesa, particularly the East Mesa, is prized for its easygoing coastal lifestyle paired with everyday convenience. Residents love the close-knit feel around Washington Elementary School, one of the area’s most sought-after neighborhood schools. With Shoreline Park and Leadbetter Beach just moments away, daily life naturally unfolds outdoors, from morning walks to sunset ocean views. Homes like 114 La Marina capture what makes the Mesa so special: a relaxed, beach-adjacent setting that still feels grounded, local, and effortlessly livable.

869 Knollwood Drive | Montecito | $12,250,000

That sums it up for last week!

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