Unlike houses that have been professionally staged NYT crossword clue

The answer to the clue “Unlike houses that have been professionally staged” is MESSY. This word captures the contrast between the tidy, curated appearance of a staged home and the clutter or disorder often found in a regularly inhabited space. Professionally staged homes are cleaned and styled to appeal to buyers, while MESSY homes reflect everyday life with its imperfections.

In crossword clues, phrases like “unlike” often signal an opposite or contrasting condition. Here, the clue sets up a comparison between immaculate presentation and casual disarray. MESSY is the clear and fitting opposite of the polished image that staging aims to achieve.