{"id":315561,"date":"2026-04-20T09:00:03","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/?p=315561"},"modified":"2026-04-20T09:00:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:00:06","slug":"ask-a-wahi-realtor-what-to-watch-for-when-a-home-is-heavily-staged","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/learning-centre\/real-estate-101\/buy\/ask-a-wahi-realtor-what-to-watch-for-when-a-home-is-staged\/","title":{"rendered":"Ask a Wahi REALTOR\u00ae: What to Watch for When a Home Is Heavily Staged"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” 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Homes are frequently staged before hitting the market, so buyers should know what to watch for when checking out a staged listing online or in-person. <\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” custom_margin=”||11px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

By Josh Sherman<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>| 2 minute read<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||26px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ask-a-Realtor-What-to-watch-for-when-a-home-is-heavily-staged.jpg” alt=”Images of Toronto neighbourhoods” title_text=”Ask-a-Realtor–What-to-watch-for-when-a-home-is-heavily-staged” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”1px||29px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_tablet=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_phone=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” border_radii_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”791.1px” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” min_height=”765.1px” custom_margin=”||-48px|||” custom_padding=”6px||68px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]

If you\u2019re in the market for a home, chances are you\u2019ll come across one that\u2019s been staged. In fact, you\u2019ll probably encounter several \u2014 or more.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Some estimates suggest up to a third or more of all homes on the market use the services of a professional stager, which makes sense when you think about the advantages. Home staging is a way for sellers to put their best foot forward, sprucing up the living space and trying to tap into homebuyers\u2019 aspirations \u2014 and wallets. Homes that are staged can sell for up to 20% more than comparable properties that are not, <\/span>suggests U.S. research<\/span><\/a> from the National Association of Realtors. That\u2019s not a bad ROI considering the service can cost sellers as little as $2,000. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>That\u2019s great news for sellers, but what about homebuyers? Home staging is a great way to showcase a room\u2019s potential. However, it can also give a homebuyer an unrealistic impression of a space. \u201cHome staging is meant to appeal to homebuyers\u2019 emotions,\u201d says Wahi Broker of Record Anne Alkok. \u201cDon\u2019t let the staging become a distraction \u2014 try to picture how the home works with your furniture, decor, and lifestyle,\u201d she adds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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That may be easier said than done (check out <\/span>some before-and-after photos<\/span><\/a> of staged spaces to see just how drastically staging can change the look and feel of an interior). So, to help homebuyers prep, here\u2019s what to watch for when a home is heavily staged.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. What Lies Beneath\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very rare that a seller or their Realtor would intentionally try to hide damage to their home,\u201d notes Alkok. \u201cIt would also be very unethical,\u201d she adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s entirely possible that through staging, some imperfections are obscured \u2014 or just plain overlooked by buyers. For instance, pull back a throw rug and you may find scuffed or warped floors. Behind a bookcase, there could be visible damage to the wall. Mould might fester in a corner of the basement.<\/p>\n

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Examine living spaces from a variety of vantage points (get down low if necessary), checking behind or under items as you peruse each room.<\/p>\n

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When you\u2019re inside of a staged space, your eyes could be more likely drawn to any number of the staged objects \u2014 and away from other places you really should inspect, such as the oft-forgetton ceiling. “Some things aren’t as noticeable when a property is staged or had some kind of uplift,” Vivian Trantan, a real estate agent from Australia, tells ABC News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Tip:<\/b> Look up and check for any signs of cracking or water damage in the ceiling.
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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Other Visual Tricks\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

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Home stagers have a whole repertoire of techniques to change how people experience a living space. Knowing how to spot them puts a homebuyer in a better position to objectively assess a property\u2019s interior. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Strategically placed mirrors might make a place appear larger. A fresh coat of paint and some smartly placed lamps add brightness. Take note of these touches and how they affect your perception of a room. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Here are a couple of tips on to what to watch for when a home is heavily staged:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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