“But My Couch is Fine!”
The 5 Biggest Objections Sellers Have to Hiring a Home Stager (And How to Gently—and Hilariously—Overcome Them)
Let’s face it: convincing a seller to hire a professional home stager can feel a little like asking someone to wear a tuxedo to a Zoom call. “Why bother? Who’s even going to notice?” Spoiler alert: everyone. Buyers notice everything—from Aunt Debbie’s crocheted owl collection to the oddly aggressive amount of decorative roosters in the kitchen.
As a real estate agent, you already know the power of staging. But your sellers? Not always on board. Here are the 5 biggest objections sellers have to hiring a high-quality home stager (like Spade and Archer)—and how to help them see the light, with charm, humor, and maybe a little gentle tough love.
1. “But my house already looks great!”
Translation: I love my velvet sectional from 1997 and I don’t care who knows it.
Your Move:
“That’s amazing—because staging isn’t about making your home look good… it’s about making buyers fall in love with it. You’ve decorated it for living. We stage it for selling. Very different vibes.”
Use analogies:
“Think of it like dating—when you’re looking for love, you dress to impress. Staging is your home’s first date outfit. Let's help it swipe right.”
2. “It’s too expensive.”
Translation: I don’t want to spend money unless it makes me money.
Your Move:
“Perfect! Because staging actually does make you money. According to the National Association of Realtors, staged homes sell faster and for more money—on average, 5–15% more.”
Add a cherry on top:
“At Spade and Archer, we tailor every staging plan to your property. No fluff, no cookie-cutter designs, just strategic, effective, gorgeous results that make buyers reach for their wallets.”
3. “Let’s just list it empty.”
Translation: I’ve watched too many minimalist house tours on YouTube.
Your Move:
“Sure! Let’s just ask buyers to guess what size bed fits in that room and whether their sofa will block the fireplace. Empty rooms can feel cold, small, and hard to visualize. Staging helps buyers see the potential, not guess at it.”
Bonus line:
“An empty room is a silent film. A staged room is a rom-com with a happy ending.”
4. “We don’t have time.”
Translation: We procrastinated and are now in full-panic mode.
Your Move:
“We get it—selling is a whirlwind. That’s why Spade and Archer’s process is fast, efficient, and totally turnkey. We’re like the FedEx of fabulous: in and out with precision, and you don’t even have to be there.”
And if they’re still worried?
“Let’s get an instant price, a site visit and the installation scheduled now, they take less than five minutes to complete each. The sooner we stage, the sooner you sell, and the less time you spend living in limbo.”
5. “I heard staging doesn’t work.”
Translation: My cousin’s friend’s neighbor tried it once and it didn’t change their life.
Your Move:
“Let’s talk results. Our team at Spade and Archer has staged thousands of homes with proven results. Staging isn’t magic—it’s marketing. We’re not trying to fool people; we’re helping them connect emotionally with the space.”
Then drop this truth bomb:
“Every product is staged—from burgers to sneakers to hotel rooms. Your home is no different. We're just leveling up your listing to pro status.”
In Conclusion:
Your sellers don’t need to love the idea of staging. They just need to trust you—and your staging partner—to make their sale smoother, faster, and more profitable. With a little humor, empathy, and data, you can help them go from “No thanks” to “Where do I sign?”
And when they’re ready, Spade and Archer is here to help. We’ll stage it like it’s the hottest real estate debut of the season—because it is.
