The World of Virtual Staging
I do not photograph many vacant homes, but when I do, I always recommend that the agent considers virtual staging. Not only does virtual staging fill the space with beautiful, realistic looking furniture, it also gives the buyer an idea of the space & how it can be used.
In this piece, I’m going to go over the fun world of virtual staging & why it works when you want to stage your next listing on a budget!
How Virtual Staging Works
Virtual staging involves more than just me using software to plug imaginary furniture into a real space. Instead, I the photographer take photos of the vacant space & “virtually” change the decor to create a whole new room, or just add a “warm” feeling to the space. The software that I use has a full catalog with items ranging from furniture to wall art, plants to books, rugs and other “nicknacks”. These pieces help in creating the ultimate and realistic looking space to get your buyers to imagine themselves in the space. It can also help in the inspirational side for your buyer.
“Is It Worth It?”
On occasion, I have an agent who asks if it is worth having a room virtually staged.
I want to be able to say “yes” every time I am asked. However, some spaces just do not work well with being virtually staged, which brings us to the next segment.
How To Determine If a Space Is Worth Being Virtually Staged
A few things need to be determined to make sure that the space you are looking to have staged is in fact a good candidate.
How does the room look in its current state?
I feel that any room can be virtually staged, but then there are some that aren’t big enough or they are just not a good candidate to be staged.
Is there furniture already in the space?
While a room that may have some furniture already in the space, I rather work with a “blank slate”. Reason behind this is this way, I am not trying to “match” the furniture that is already there nor having to work around it (I cannot move existing furniture around like I can virtual furniture). When a room is completely empty, it gives me the ability to make the furniture I will be placing into the space look more realistic as well as make it look more put together.
Why 3D Virtual Staging Is So Amazing
Virtual staging showcases a unit’s full potential
Empty spaces can often times feel cold making it tough for a buyer to get a sense of a space during an online viewing. However, your potential buyers do not want to see the current owner’s pictures and decor. Virtual staging offers a nice in-between: it makes a space feel welcoming and lived-in, while also giving the buyer the freedom to imagine themselves in the home.
It’s Easy, Fast & Cost Effective
While physical staging can take a full day or more to complete, I can complete virtual staging for an entire house in just a few hours. This makes it an excellent option for sellers who want to position their properties effectively without investing in a massive amount of effort (and money).
It also lets me have fun with the space when it comes to letting my interior designing skills shine!
Virtual Staging Is Flexible
I can transform any room into something other than what it usually is! The photos below show this room staged as a bedroom. However, the owners of this home had it set as their living room. Virtual staging makes anything and everything possible when it comes to showcasing your listing in its best light. The objective is to get your buyers into the home.
With virtual staging, we are literally setting the stage for your listing to perform!
Things to Keep In Mind
While I would never steer an agent, or anyone away from having virtual staging done, there are a few things to bear in mind before, during & after the process.
I often get the response of “It Can Be Seen As ‘“Misleading’”
All I can really say here: DISCLOSURE.
In other words, be sure to use clear watermarks that state images are virtually staged.
It’s so important to let your buyers know which rooms are virtually staged so that if they have scheduled a showing, they are not walking into the home & questioning where the furniture that was shown in the photos is.
We do not want your buyers being disappointed when they arrive at a listing that was virtually staged, but is empty in real life.
Nothing “Virtual” About It
If you have the software, anyone can virtually stage a room.
However, not everyone can realistically virtually stage it & make it look seamless.
Selecting the right “stager” will make your listing.
Selecting the wrong “stager” will break your listing.
We don’t need broken listings.
Let me break it down
Virtual staging performed by an inexperienced “stager” can look fake & unrealistic, which only makes the room feel off-putting & dissuades buyers from touring the space.
With this in mind, always invest in a professional virtual stager.
Last Words
If you are selling an empty, cluttered, or outdated home, virtual staging is the way to go to ensure that you are showing the property in its best form. Having the space virtually staged, you will receive more online listing views which turn into more scheduled in-person tours.
