TO STAGE OR NOT TO STAGE?... THAT IS THE QUESTION...

Perhaps the better questions to ask might be, "How much time do you want to wait before your property sells?" and "How much do you want it to sell for?"
It is well known in the home staging industry that a professionally styled home will usually sell more rapidly and at a higher selling price than an unstaged (occupied) home or even one that is vacant and empty though very clean.  But WHY?
Home Staging - Living Room Before PictureBefore
Home Staging Living Room afterAfter
Home Staging is, in effect, a process of "clearing the slate" so that a home Buyer is able to see the home as a separate entity from the home Seller.  A home Buyer wants to be able to envision that home as Their Perfect Home and this is often not possible when it is "full to the brim" of the home Seller's tastes and preferences.  In a vacant property, the empty home is devoid of creativity, function and definition; many home Buyers cannot visualize the potential that lies within.  Sure, we all know the function of a kitchen and bathroom, but what about that awkwardly-shaped living room? - or is it a dining room? - perhaps even a cocktail salon?  And, really, what would one do with THAT MANY bedrooms?
Beautifully Staged Bedroom
A professional stager will "set the scene" for a home Buyer to picture themselves sitting on the couch enjoying a cool drink in the living room, watching a good movie or reading a favorite book in the den, working on family business in the office, and even basking in their own personal spa in the bathroom.  The purpose is to create a GREAT first impression that is welcoming and draws the Home Buyer into the home for sale then leads them into each additional space presenting new and beautiful vistas of opportunity that would be possible with This Property.  
Beautifully staged living room 
In my experience, I have seen amazing transformations that have surprised even myself after a day of staging.  The possibilities are endless and the rewards are many.  Cost is dependent on each unique job as relates to number of rooms staged, size of the home, and vacant/occupied status, among other things.  A professional stager should give the client an up-front estimate according to the criteria determined for the home.  Again, as a result of staging, most homes sell quicker and at a higher price than would have been attained otherwise; so, the cost of staging is outweighed by the benefits, making it a very viable option.
Unstaged Master BedroomBefore
Properly Staged Master Bedroom After
My advice?  Ask the right questions, weigh all the pros and cons and call Susan at Susan Staging Sunshine (239-887-1935) to give you good counsel when making the decision to stage or not to stage the next time you need to sell your property.
www.susanstagingsunshine.com