How Staging Converts Interest Into Offers

By Louise Phillips Forbes, Brown Harris Stevens

When 440 East 62nd Street, Apartment 15B first hit the market with virtually staged images, it attracted an offer, but the deal ultimately fell through. We regrouped with our seller and decided to fully stage the apartment before relisting. 

The results were immediate: a 169% increase in StreetEasy views and a more than 50% jump in inquiries and tours, resulting in several serious buyers and competing offers.

While notable, this outcome is far from unique. Thoughtful staging remains one of the most powerful tools for maximizing a home’s value and appeal.  

As we move into the spring market, here are a few things that sellers should keep in mind:

• AI can inspire, but staging sells: Digital renderings and AI-generated images can spark interest, but buyers ultimately respond to what they see and experience in person. A beautifully staged home ensures the real-life showing surpasses initial expectations. 

• Create an emotional connection: Well-executed staging highlights scale, layout, and flow, allowing buyers to picture how they would actually live in the space. Empty rooms can feel smaller and harder to interpret. Key areas to focus on include living rooms and dining areas, primary bedrooms, and even the kitchen. 

• Refresh a listing that has lingered: For homes that have spent time on the market, staging can offer a powerful reset. A new look can shift perception, generate renewed interest online, and encourage buyers to take a second look. 

• A small investment toward the bottom line: Compared with price reductions or extended monthly carrying costs, staging is often a relatively modest expense that can significantly improve buyer perception and help sellers achieve stronger results. 

With 34 years of experience and nearly $6 billion in career sales, Louise Phillips Forbes is a top producing agent at Brown Harris Stevens and one of the most trusted voices in New York real estate, representing buyers, sellers, and developers across the city.

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