Home Staging Goes Virtual

Staging a home once meant adding accessories, props and even furniture to a home for sale, to create a feeling of warmth and appeal, and make it easier to sell. Today, staging a home still connotes rearranging possessions and furniture, but in more and more cases, the furniture and accessories are digital rather than real, a very cost effective alternative.

What is virtual home staging and how is it done? This new addition to the more traditional sales techniques used to market a home, focuses on taking a photo of the home as is and then dressing it up. The “after” photos of the home’s interior are created using virtual furniture, wall colors, pictures, window coverings and other décor to help potential buyers visualize a home’s possibilities.

With real home staging, furnishings and draperies need to be purchased, transported and then arranged in the home, in hope that the stager has accurately gauged current decorating trends and design techniques to catch a buyer’s eye. Unfortunately, the homeowner or the stager’s taste may or may not appeal to all buyers.

Today, virtual home stagers can embellish empty-room photographs taken and submitted by agents and owners with images of sofas, dining tables, area rugs, draperies and artwork. If one set of furnishings doesn’t quite capture the look, there’s no need to return the drapes. It’s easy as clicking a computer mouse to change the entire look.

However, there are some things most virtual staging companies won’t do for a homeowner. According to most virtual staging websites, statements of ethics reiterate that the companies will not add non-existent landscaping, wet bars or appliances, or erase power-lines or other detractions from photos. These companies also require customers to tell buyers and agents that the rooms are virtually staged, so a buyer’s expectations are realistic.

Virtual staging is easy enough on the seller’s end.  Most websites simply require photos of the vacant listing and offer results usually within three to five business days. Sellers and agents can then add the photos to brochures, MLS pages, and websites.

It is recommended that the rooms immediately visible upon entering the house are staged. Other priorities are the kitchen, master bedroom, and master bathroom. For the best staging results, high quality pictures taken in a well-lit room are most desirable. For more information or to view photo galleries, you can visit VirtualStagingSolutions.com or VirtuallyStagingProperties.com.