The anti-staging movement taking over real estate

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Published Date 8/13/2025

No. We’re not talking about anti-aging. We’re talking about anti-staging. While it doesn’t sound logical, Realtor.com's Jillian Pretzel says sometimes the best thing you can do when readying an older home to sell is absolutely nothing at all. Well, almost nothing.

“We've all been conditioned to think that selling a house means staging it within an inch of its life and painting everything the same shade of agreeable beige,” she says. While it’s widely known that staging can work wonders, more than one Realtor has watched sellers pocket an extra 5% to 15% above comparable properties just by adding some thoughtful updates and light staging. Go figure. Not bad for some strategically placed throw pillows and a few trips to HomeGoods.

Now here's where things get interesting: If you've got an older home with character, all that staging and modernizing might actually be working against you. “Think about it: you wouldn't put a generic corporate makeover on Marilyn Monroe, so why would you strip the personality out of a 1920s bungalow?” asks Pretzel. Another Realtor she consulted adds, "Some homes have soul, and you don't want to erase that. Those original details like glass block, hardwoods, or arched doorways can be a real selling point." They’re talking about homes from the '20s, '50s, and early '60s that come loaded with architectural details you literally can't buy anymore.

Many buyers are getting tired of cookie-cutter spaces, rejecting all-gray everything in favor of cozier spaces and vintage detailing. Some Realtors claim staging can actually "distract buyers from really seeing the home" underneath all that rental furniture.

Okay — no. This doesn’t mean you should skip staging entirely. Staging isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, and Pretzel found that 80% to 90% of homes that sell quickly for top dollar are either staged, updated, or both. This is especially true in places like Florida, where buyers want that turnkey, beach-lifestyle feel.

Cities known for classic architecture, however, win the authenticity battle, where buyers are drawn to it. Pretzel’s research found that many people fall head-over-heels for old houses precisely because of their quirks. “Sometimes a clean, clearly lived-in space that shows off the home's natural charms beats sterile staging every time.” A spotless but authentic space helps buyers envision their own lives there, especially when the home's character is still on full display.

The “never mess with” items are as follows:

• Original hardwood floors. Buyers consistently love them and tend to regard them as a healthier and more long-term product.

• Retro tile. Don’t touch it. Midcentury tile patterns are back in style and can be stunning if they match the home's overall aesthetic. Just make sure none of it is chipped or cracked, because then even vintage charm has its limits.

• Crown molding, especially the ornate stuff with intricate carvings.

• Stained-glass windows are incredibly appealing in the right home. When sunlight streams through an elegant stained-glass window, it's pure magic.

• Pocket doors. They’re both practical and charming and add a ton of class.

• Fireplaces. They’re becoming increasingly rare in new construction, so if you've got one, show it off. Add art, and definitely don't paint over the original brick.

Realtor, TBWS

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Southern Oaks Mortgage, Inc.

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