Preparing your home for sale does not necessarily require expensive renovations or rented furniture. At The Star Home Team, our signed listing clients receive a complimentary home staging consultation, typically lasting about 60 minutes, with our home stager and interior designer. The goal is to identify practical ways to prepare your home for professional photography, buyer showings, and the market.
What Is a Home Staging Consultation?
A home staging consultation is a professional evaluation of how your home looks and functions from a potential buyer's perspective.
Rather than decorating a home for the owner's personal tastes, staging focuses on presenting the property's existing spaces and features clearly and attractively.
During a consultation, a home stager may recommend rearranging furniture, removing unnecessary items, improving lighting, adjusting décor, or making small changes that help rooms feel more open and welcoming.
Staging does not necessarily mean purchasing new furniture, repainting every room, or completely redecorating.
In fact, many useful staging recommendations involve items homeowners already own.
For sellers throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, understanding which changes matter before listing can make the preparation process more manageable.
How Does The Star Home Team's Complimentary Staging Consultation Work?
When you sign a listing agreement with The Star Home Team, one of the services we provide is a complimentary consultation with our home stager and interior designer.
The consultation typically lasts approximately 60 minutes, although the specific recommendations depend on your property.
Our goal is to help you understand what should be addressed before your home is photographed and shown to potential buyers.
During the consultation, our staging professional evaluates how the home's rooms are presented and makes suggestions for improvements.
These may include:
Rearranging existing furniture to improve the appearance and flow of rooms
Removing excess furniture or accessories
Decluttering countertops, shelves, and visible storage areas
Improving lighting and making better use of natural light
Simplifying décor so buyers can focus on the home's features
Identifying rooms that may benefit from minor cosmetic changes
Preparing living areas, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms for photographs
Creating a more consistent presentation throughout the home
Not every recommendation requires spending money.
Sometimes moving a chair, removing a few decorative items, or changing the arrangement of a room can make a noticeable difference.
The purpose is to provide a personalized plan rather than a generic checklist.
Why Do We Offer a Professional Staging Consultation?
We believe sellers benefit from having another experienced set of eyes evaluate their home before it reaches the market.
When you have lived in a property for years, it is natural to become accustomed to its furniture arrangement, décor, and everyday appearance.
A staging professional can look at those same spaces from a different perspective.
For example, a living room may contain comfortable furniture that works perfectly for everyday living but makes the room appear crowded in photographs.
A bedroom may have more furniture than necessary to demonstrate its size and function.
A kitchen may be beautifully maintained but have enough small appliances and accessories on the countertops to distract from the available workspace.
These are not necessarily problems with the home. They are opportunities to improve how it is presented.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®' 2025 Profile of Home Staging, 83% of buyers' agents surveyed said staging made it easier for buyers to visualize a property as their future home.
That finding does not mean every home requires extensive staging, but it helps explain why presentation deserves attention.
Our complimentary consultation is designed to help sellers identify practical changes appropriate for their individual properties.
Do Sellers Need to Purchase or Rent Furniture?
No. Our complimentary home staging consultation does not include supplying or renting furniture.
Our home stager and interior designer primarily provides recommendations for improving the presentation of the property.
For occupied homes, many suggestions may involve using existing furniture and décor differently.
That might mean moving a sofa to improve the room's layout, removing an oversized chair, reducing accessories, or creating a clearer purpose for a particular space.
If a seller chooses to purchase additional items or arrange furniture rental independently, that is a separate decision.
Our goal is not to encourage unnecessary expenses. It is to help identify preparation steps that make sense for the property, the seller's budget, and the listing plan.
Which Rooms Deserve the Most Attention Before Selling?
Every home is different, but several spaces frequently deserve particular attention.
Living Room
The living room is often one of the first spaces buyers notice in listing photographs.
We want buyers to understand the room's size, layout, and natural gathering areas.
Reducing excess furniture, simplifying décor, and improving lighting may help accomplish that.
Kitchen
Kitchens tend to attract close attention from buyers.
Clean countertops, organized surfaces, good lighting, and an uncluttered appearance can help buyers focus on the cabinets, appliances, countertops, and available workspace.
This does not automatically mean replacing countertops or renovating an older kitchen.
Primary Bedroom
A primary bedroom should be presented so buyers can understand its size and layout.
Simple bedding, fewer decorative accessories, and appropriately arranged furniture may help the room photograph more clearly.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms generally benefit from thorough cleaning, clear countertops, fresh-looking towels, and the removal of unnecessary personal products.
The goal is a clean, well-maintained presentation.
Entryway and Exterior
The first impression of a home begins before a buyer enters the front door.
Depending on the season and property, preparation may include cleaning the entry, trimming landscaping, removing unnecessary outdoor items, and making sure walkways and exterior features are presentable.
In Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, seasonal conditions can influence which exterior preparation steps are practical.
How Does Staging Help Prepare a Home for Professional Photography?
Professional real estate photography is an important part of presenting a listing online.
Before buyers schedule a showing, they may first see a home through property-search websites, social media, or digital marketing.
The staging consultation helps identify changes that can be completed before the photographer arrives.
A room that looks comfortable in person may appear crowded in a photograph. Small accessories that are barely noticeable during everyday living can become distracting in a listing image.
Preparing the home before photography allows the photographer to focus on the property's actual features and layout.
For more information about what happens before a property reaches the market, read our guide to how we prepare and market a home for sale.
What If the Home Is Vacant?
Vacant homes present a different set of challenges.
Without furniture, some buyers may find it difficult to understand the intended purpose of a room or visualize how their own furnishings might fit.
For appropriate vacant properties, The Star Home Team can use virtual staging.
Virtual staging involves adding digital furnishings and décor to photographs of an empty room to help illustrate how the space might be used.
For example, an empty living room photograph might be virtually furnished with a sofa, chairs, and a coffee table.
A vacant bedroom might be shown with a digitally added bed and nightstands.
Virtual staging is not the same as physically furnishing a property.
The furniture shown in virtually staged images is not actually present in the home.
Virtual staging should be clearly identified and must accurately represent the property's permanent features, dimensions, and condition. We also follow applicable MLS and marketing requirements when using digitally modified images.
For sellers, virtual staging can provide an additional way to illustrate the possibilities of an empty space without bringing physical furniture into the property.
Should You Make Repairs Before the Staging Consultation?
You do not need to complete every improvement before discussing your listing with us.
In fact, we generally encourage homeowners to speak with our team before investing significant money in renovations or cosmetic projects.
A staging consultation focuses primarily on presentation, while our listing preparation discussions can also address property condition and potential repairs.
These are related but different considerations.
For example, rearranging furniture may improve how a room appears in photographs, but it does not correct a plumbing leak or damaged flooring.
Some homes benefit from minor paint touch-ups or inexpensive repairs. Others may be ready for photography with relatively little additional work.
If you are uncertain about which projects deserve attention, our article on what to repair before selling a house explains how to evaluate repairs before committing to expensive improvements.
Does Every Home Need the Same Staging Plan?
Absolutely not.
The preparation strategy for a condominium in Grayslake may look different from the plan for a waterfront home near the Chain O'Lakes or a larger property in McHenry County.
Similarly, a vacant home in Kenosha County may require a different approach from an occupied property in Lake County.
Factors that can influence preparation recommendations include:
Whether the property is occupied or vacant
The existing furniture and décor
The size and layout of the rooms
The condition of the property
The seller's timeline
The property's likely price range
Competing homes currently available
The seller's preparation budget
Our goal is not to make every home look identical.
We want to highlight what makes each property appealing while presenting it accurately and professionally.
What Happens After the Staging Consultation?
Following the consultation, sellers can begin working through the recommendations that are appropriate for their property.
Some changes may be completed quickly, while others may require additional time or planning.
Our team works with sellers to coordinate the broader listing preparation and marketing process.
Once the home is ready, professional photography and other marketing materials can be prepared according to the property's listing plan.
Depending on the property, our marketing may include photography, video, digital advertising, social media promotion, and enhanced listing presentation.
For eligible properties, Zillow Showcase can provide additional online presentation features.
The staging consultation is one part of a larger strategy that includes pricing, preparation, accurate property information, marketing, and communication throughout the selling process.
The Star Home Team's Perspective
At The Star Home Team, we have helped more than 4,000 families buy and sell homes throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.
One lesson from working with so many different properties is that sellers do not all need the same preparation plan.
Some homes are nearly ready for the market when we first visit.
Others benefit from decluttering, rearranging furniture, cleaning, or addressing a few cosmetic details.
Occasionally, sellers are considering expensive improvements that may not be necessary for their particular property.
We believe the best approach begins with understanding the home, the seller's goals, and the local competition.
Our complimentary staging consultation gives signed listing clients access to professional guidance as part of that preparation process.
It is one of the ways we help sellers approach their listing with a plan rather than guessing about what needs to be done.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Staging Consultations
Is The Star Home Team's staging consultation free?
Yes. The Star Home Team provides a complimentary home staging consultation for clients who have signed a listing agreement with our team. The consultation typically lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes personalized recommendations from our home stager and interior designer for preparing the property for photography and showings.
Does The Star Home Team provide furniture for staging?
No. Our staging consultation does not include furnishing the home or providing rental furniture. Instead, our staging professional recommends ways to improve the property's presentation, often using existing furniture and décor. For appropriate vacant homes, we can also use virtual staging to illustrate furnished spaces in listing photographs.
How long does a home staging consultation take?
Our consultations typically last approximately 60 minutes. The amount of time needed can depend on the property's size, condition, and preparation needs. The purpose is to evaluate the home's presentation and identify practical steps sellers can take before professional photography and showings.
Do I need to clean my house before the staging consultation?
You do not need to have your home completely ready for photography before the consultation. The purpose is to identify what should be done. However, making rooms accessible and being prepared to discuss your timeline, concerns, and potential improvements can help make the consultation more productive.
Is home staging the same as interior decorating?
No. Interior decorating generally focuses on creating a space that reflects the homeowner's personal preferences. Home staging focuses on presenting a property to potential buyers. That may involve simplifying décor, rearranging furniture, improving lighting, and making it easier for buyers to understand a room's size and purpose.
Can a vacant home be virtually staged?
Yes. The Star Home Team can use virtual staging for appropriate vacant properties. Digital furnishings can be added to photographs to illustrate how an empty room might look when furnished. Virtual staging does not physically furnish the property, and digitally modified photographs should be identified appropriately and comply with applicable listing and advertising requirements.
Will staging guarantee that my home sells faster or for more money?
No. Staging cannot guarantee a particular selling price, number of offers, or time on market. Property condition, location, pricing, competition, and buyer demand also influence the outcome. The purpose of staging is to improve presentation and help buyers understand the property's spaces and features.
When should I schedule a staging consultation?
Ideally, the staging consultation should take place before professional listing photography and before the home is launched on the market. That allows time to consider recommendations and complete appropriate preparation work. Our team coordinates the consultation as part of the listing preparation process for signed listing clients.
Preparing to Sell Your Home in Northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin?
A successful home sale begins with understanding the property, the market, and the preparation that makes sense for your situation.
You do not need to have every room perfectly arranged before contacting a real estate professional.
Our team can help you evaluate the property, discuss your selling goals, and develop a preparation and marketing plan.
For signed listing clients, our complimentary home staging consultation adds another layer of professional guidance before photography and showings.
If you are thinking about selling a home in Lake County, McHenry County, Kenosha County, or a surrounding community, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss your plans.
Contact The Star Home Team to learn more about our home selling services.
Visit StarHomeTeam.com.
Sources
National Association of REALTORS®
2025 Profile of Home Staging
2025
https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/profile-of-home-staging
National Association of REALTORS®
Consumer Guide: Staging Your House for a Sale
https://www.nar.realtor/the-facts/consumer-guide-staging-your-house-for-a-sale
About the Author and The Star Home Team
Susan Starwalt is the Broker Owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes and The Star Home Team, serving Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.
Licensed since 1998, Susan works alongside Jim Starwalt and the company's management team to provide real estate guidance, marketing, and personalized service.
The Star Home Team has helped more than 4,000 families buy and sell homes throughout Lake County, McHenry County, Kenosha County, and surrounding communities.
Our team is licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin and provides local market knowledge, professional listing support, and coordinated service throughout the real estate process.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes | The Star Home Team
783 N. Barron Blvd., Grayslake, IL 60030
847-548-2625
https://www.starhometeam.com/
Equal Housing Opportunity.
