resentation of a property is finessed. The challenge in seller’s minds are the expense that might be involved to improve upon what they have, to make the “product” desirable to buyers; along with gaining the largest return. In comes staging. Should the property be actually staged with furniture, or is virtual ok?
The difference between virtual staging and physical staging
Virtual staging is when a professional adds furniture to rooms virtually to make the house “appear” to be furnished. When buyers look online the house looks great, when they actually go to see the property it will only have empty rooms.
Actually staging is when a professional goes into the property and sets the furniture in a way to allow buyers to see how their furnishing can fit in the spaces. They are knowledgeable about who your buying market is and what they desire. If staged, the house looks great online; and when buyers visit the property, it is the same as what they saw online.
Which is better?
Either actually, it depends on the type of property, to market a property well, it should be staged. I suggest the best way to use virtual staging is in a model home that a builder has not built yet, there are numerous floor plans, but possibly only one built. The one built should be actually staged, while the other models done virtually. Virtual staging the other models gives buyers a better feel for how the floor plan can work for them. This allows the builder than to engage buyers to purchase additional models.
Virtual staging is not a good idea for a single family home that an individual might be selling. It might draw a buyer to make an appointment to see a house, unfortunately, with less than 10% of the population being able to envision a space, the showing will typically not entice the buyer because they will be viewing empty rooms.
Actual Staging is having a professional stager come to the property and set it up with furnishing and accessories for the buying market in a way that enhances the spaces. It allows a buyer to have a “hands-on” experience allowing them to envision themselves living in the spaces.
Actual staging a home whereby the sellers have not moved their furnishing out is essential, known as occupied staging. Here professional staging will blend the existing furnishings and improve upon the presentation to entice buyers. Enhancing the property to allow the seller hold onto their hard-earned equity.
Both types of staging are vital to the marketing of a property. The best way to choose which to use would be to evaluate the type of property and situation of the property that is being sold. The goal is to have the property resonate with buyers. Staging a property is worth every dollar invested in it. Think of “flipping” shows, they always have a property staged before they put it on the market because they know staging brings value to the property.
Other good reads:
Design Solutions KGP Selected As Top Professional Home Stager of 2016
Amazing article, thank you for sharing! As a real estate agent, I can say that over the past few years the interest to virtual staging has significantly increased! I see that many of my colleagues give quite positive reviews about it and approve that it greatly improves buyers impression and helps to increase sales.
Thank you Kelly. Keep in mind though that virtual staging is not for every property and their are regulations using virtual staging when selling real estate that need to be considered when using.