Is Virtual Home Staging virtually Possible?

I have seen the "Virtual Staging" and it ranks right up there with the idea of replacing Appraisers with Zillow - who we all know is totally inaccurate in how they appraise the value of homes. Or it would be like replacing the value a Realtor brings to the process by just hiring an attorney, as "all Realtors do is put a sign in the yard."

The idea that the professional that is trained and has experience to know what to do in each situation is replaceable with a computer generated model or process, is very scary to consider. At what point would ALL our work and jobs be at risk with someone with a mouse and a computer - who can provide the "virtual reality" experience for all aspects of real estate?

The idea of virtual Staging is that is is sort of deceptive - and also when a Buyer goes in person to the house they cannot translate what they saw in a photo to what is in a room - the size, scale, proportions, etc. Who knows if the virtual furniture is even to scale?  I have seen some of the "staging" and it is overdone, too trendy, and not to scale.

The idea that photos alone sell a house is false - it might bring a buyer to the door, but they will not be excited about the house once they go inside - and see a vacant, empty, hollow-sounding house - with no warmth or charm. Staging helps build a RELATIONSHIP with the house - a CONNECTION to the house - and it must be done in person so that the items are tangible and elicit that response.

Much the same way that Realtors, you build relationships with your clients - and would not conduct your business soley over the computer - the HUMAN TOUCH - and the EMOTIONS behind the sale are paramount.

Not only that - but I have also seen things Photo-shopped out of photos - which is an issue for deception again - where it may be an eyesore in the photo, and so the "professional" just erases it - and anyone using that kind of service - seller or Realtor - better be VERY sure the computer person is not taking creative liberties and changing anything in the room - as far as features, flaws, etc.

I think all virtual staging is doing is adding a layer of disassociation over the process of buying a house. It gives even more reason for people to be eliminated from the whole equation, and if we don't sit up and take notice - and protest this process of dehumanizing the process of buying and selling houses, in the not so distant future, we may all find ourselves - Realtors, Stagers, Appraisers, Inspectors, etc. - out of a job or career.

That is not a virtual reality I want to consider.

Jennie Norris, ASP Master, IAHSP President, Owner, We Stage Sacramento