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In most cases, staging a home is expensive but worth every penny. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 81% of agents representing buyers stated that staging made a positive impact on the buyer’s perception of the house and made it easier to visualize it as a home. The value of your home—which is to say the amount buyers are willing to spend—is based on perception alone and not the inherent value of the land or structure. Therefore, improving the appeal of your home through staging is likely to make your home more enticing during a home sale.

When built right, fireplaces increase the value of your home. Fireplaces are both functional and aesthetically pleasing; home buyers will usually respond to the charm fireplaces can add. The only scenarios that could lead to a fireplace depreciating a property are the following: if it’s in need of constant or immediate repair, is unusable, or isn’t up to code.

Most buyers prefer a smooth, modern finish on their ceilings. This can make a home with a popcorn ceiling challenging to sell, but it depends on the housing market. In a competitive market, buyers are more willing to overlook minor renovations. However, popcorn ceilings containing asbestos in an older home are a major deterrent.

It’s always better to stage a home than to leave it empty. Staged homes don’t only sell faster than vacant homes—they also sell for a higher price. A 2018 survey of more than 4,200 professionally staged homes found that most staged homes sold for 6% to 25% more than their unstaged counterparts.