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Virtual Staging...What a Novel Idea!

Virtual Staging...What a Novel Idea!

Before Staging What's in it for you? A quicker sale than listing/selling an unfurnished, vacant property!

Some sellers simply cannot afford to furnish their vacant properties and some buyers simply cannot 'mentally picture' furnishings in a vacant home. Innovative agents are now turning to virtual staging.

This process uses computer technology to add furniture and decoraor items to photos of vacant listings. The cost is approximately $250 for a few photos and the images are quite impressive. One company, Virtually Staging Properties, has nearly 1,000 photos of items which they strategically place, via computer, into YOUR photos of the vacant rooms!

After Staging The husband and wife team who own the business (located in Atlanta) are both professional stagers so, their finished 'product' is expertly presented. They also deliver 8 x 10 photos to you for use in the home to demonstrate what that specific room will look like with furnishings in that particular room.

There are other companies who do this--including www.VirualStagingSolutions.com and OBEO tours (www.OBEO.com) which offer such luxuries as textured walls, furnishings, countertops, etc. This affordable solution to those sellers who cannot or will not hire that recommended stager is a viable alternative to the traditional staging.

*NOTE: This is certainly NOT a replacement for a local, professional stager, just an option if you or your sellers can't or won't hire someone to physically provide this service.

**Also of note, when listing these properties, don't forget your COE rules--disclose that" the photos are representative of staging; the property is currently vacant." (Use your own wording but, be sure that you don't post the photos of the furnished property as this is deceptive practice).

Check out the virtual staging websites and see what new technology lies ahead for YOUR vacant listings!

Posted by Debe Maxwell, Realtor® - Charlotte NC MLS - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods on 10/15/2009 05:57 PM

Comments (79)

Home Staging to Sell in the Home Selling Channel

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79 Comments on Virtual Staging...What a Novel Idea!

OCT

Wow, that is really cool. Talk about changing the look of the room without breaking the back.

Debe - I had heard of this recently, and I think it's an AWESOME idea. Thanks for sharing the link here.

Debe...

I'm really pleased to see you remind folks to disclose that the listing is staged virtually. I had a smart aleck remark for you but I better hold back in public :)

TLW...ROAR!

WOW..what a difference! This is a really great idea!

Debe - I can see where this would be an excellent alternative for the seller that did not want to spend much on a professional stager. This just may become the "new thing."

Virtual staging can be very helpful when working with design clients, so that they can "see" how furnishings will look in their home. For home staging purposes, I can also see it getting buyers interested in viewing the home -- a great start. It can also work well in investment properties. However, when potential buyers walk in and see 4 empty walls they're likely to lose the "feeling" you get when you walk into a well-presented home and fall in love with it. "Fake" anything is usually not nearly as appealing as the real thing, .... but is better than nothing when the budget is tight.

Debe, just a thought...how is virtual staging different from shooting the pics BEFORE the seller moves out and leaves the home vacant during the marketing period? OR should we be disclosing that too...which of course makes it sound like the home didn't sell in a timely manner and this could be untrue...

My head hurts with all the disclosure...don't get me wrong, I'm a big proponent of tell it before anyone asks but I'm just sayin' in this case...

Those photos look so real, Debe. I can see why you would need to disclose that it is "virtually staged". Even the lighting looks perfect. Great deal for $250. But, it definitely does not replace a professional stager. Many people can't quite see it even in photos. We tend to be more tactile people.

True I am a stager and this is what I do, day in and day out. True that not everyone can afford full staging services, especially now that some folks have to sell their home for less than what they paid for. However, I agree 100% with Maureen. The buyers look at the photos on the web and they get excited and when they come into the house, all they see is four bare walls.

Your stager can and should offer you different packages to meet your clients budget. I have staged many houses only with vignettes and still I was able to create an inviting and warm atmosphere for the buyers. For one client, all I did was to hang up very colorful and fun wall art pieces and then added the lights. Don't forget the importance of light in homes for sell. A creative stager can make a huge difference with a very low minimum. If not, you have chosen a wrong stager.

Let's remember, that staging, in any level, keeps the buyers in the rooms longer and that is when the magic happens and the SOLD sign goes up. No matter how beautiful the pictures look on the web, and I am sure they do, they will not make the same impact. Talk to your stager first and find out what can be done with the limited budget. You'll be surprise!

Very cool Debe. Thanks for sharing.

Debe - I've never heard or seen virtual staging before, it's an interesting concept. Thanks for sharing!

And don't forget, you can add half-naked girls to lounge about the pool area, too! Personally, I wouldn't do it because the let down when those buyers actually enter the home and find it bare would be incredibly disappointing.

Thank you for sharing an interesting new idea. I think that this is a great idea for those clients who just don't want to spend the moneu on staging

I had never heard of virtual staging and I can't believe how realistic it looks. It completely changes the feel of the room. Thanks so much for the tip!

Hi Debe...This was an alternative I suggested recently to clients. I did so with the advise that if at all possible let's go with actual staging. I'm glad to say that is what they have decided to do and we will be getting that done next week.

You and I seem to be on the same wave length lately.

Kate

Debe- Full disclosure first. . . I am a Stager. That being said, there is a place for virtual staging, particularly for investment property, where the buyers are not looking at the property with the thought of envisioning themselves living in it. With the amount of properties on the market, especially here in South Florida, a house has to standout. Being virtually staged will help to entice buyers to schedule a showing, however, as Maureen stated, it can be quite a letdown when they actually see it, bare and all. All good stagers make every attempt to work with the seller's budget in mind. They can even provide a layout and itemized list of accessories or furniture that the seller can borrow, rent or purchase inexpensively all for about what the virtual staging would cost. I am not against virtual staging, but it is an additional tool secondary to real life staging by a staging professional.

Any kind of staging even virtual staging is better than no staging. The big drawback is that awful letdown feeling when the buyer realizes it was just a pretty picture and they sadly the buyer's vision of the dream home crumbles a bit.

Before anyone think I am too harsh, I stage all my listings and even my rentals and I am always amazed that I am a little sad at the destaging. Adding in decor, light, art, greenery brings such a lively feeling to the room and then when it goes away, well there's some energy gone from the room is the only way I know to express it.

Elizabeth Weintraub, above, said it eloquently and succinctly: "Personally, I wouldn't do it because the let down when those buyers actually enter the home and find it bare would be incredibly disappointing."

You may get them in the door with virtual staging, but they'll lose that loving feeling when they see cold, empty rooms.

Just one professional home stager's opinion.

Wow - it's amazing what you can do now! It is difficult to take a buyer in after that and not see the furnishings. I am pretty amazed at how real the virtual staging looks, though!!! Thanks for sharing, Debe!

Now this blog post is worth bookmarking, thanks.

I heard abouit this from a couple of my associates at our weekly meeting on Tuesday and it looks like a super idea!

Hey all I too think this is a good idea, but I want to strongly suggest you preview some of the VS's previous work. I saw one that when we showed up at the home, there way no way you could fit all the furniture in the locations they "suggested."

Still you gotta love technology.

I agree with others that think this looks beautiful in the pictures, but when the buyers visit the property, they'll be disappointed because they'll see only empty rooms. I have staged several properties for a local agent who had a similar issue - the pictures were taken when the homes were furnished, but after the sellers moved out and left the homes empty, buyers found the properties to be cold and uninviting. For sellers with a minimal budget (under $500), even just adding accessories and artwork can warm up a space and help buyers to connect emotionally.

I think it is an interesting idea... and I wonder how many agents are going to forget to disclose the lack of furniture in the "real" home...

Debe, sometimes homes are photographed with furniture and then the sellers move out but the photos stay in. What's the difference? I agree to disclose that it is 'virtually staged' but pictures do look better with furniture. What a great idea to have 8x10s in the house so the buyers can remind themselves what the room looks like with furniture.

Minimal staging can be very effective, as Shirin said. Very interesting post!

Debe - I read about this service in a magazine the other day. It sounded very cool but haven't checked it out. It certainly could offer some interesting and affordable options. I would think you would have to be careful about what you include in rooms in terms of furniture and the specific dimensions. And some sort of disclaimer about it being virtual and all. But I can see some real utility especially for folks who are looking on-line.

Jeff

Thanks for the links, I have checked out Obeo before but never the other two.

I think it's a pretty good idea. Could get some buyers to look at a home that may not otherwise. You would definitely need to have the physical pictures in the rooms prominently displayed for the potential buyer to pick up and look at the virtually staged pictures in comparison to the actual bare rooms they see.

I had not even considered this an option before though sometimes it's very difficult for people to picture a home furnished.

It seems like a great option for people who can't afford to spend extra money in today's market.

Deb - I love it ...But I think it is property sensitive (obviously). That being, I would use it in my marketing. My chosen sellers would love it too. I will look into this ...Thanks for the info. Hope all is healing nicely and you will be running past me on the greenway ( I walk, so this may be a breeze) Cheers !

I read about this some time back and wasn't quite sure what to think then. But recently I have been thinking about suggesting virtual staging as well. It really looks good. ~Rita

OCT

Oh forgot to say the reason why I was a bit hesitant at first - some might get carried away and start changing thing to something that the property is not - i.e different wall color, etc. Buyers can get really like something they see on the photo and if it actually doesn't exist, well that could be a problem. ~Rita

Looks like a nice tool --- and BTW - -there are many homes that are occupied at the time they are listed and then become vacant -- and the photos are not always changed out when people move .

Thanks all, I thought this was pretty cool too!

Greg: Isn't that cool! I have so many clients who would love to be able to afford to physically have this done but, can't; it's a perfect fit.

Jason: Enjoy! NAR recently did a write-up about it and I think it's a wonderful idea!

TLW: Thank you! I can't believe YOU had a smart comment for me!! Do share... :-)

Leslie: You should check out their sites--amazing difference in the online presence!

Lina: I think it will be a way of the future. Builders have been doing this for years--showing staged properties online--and it seems to have worked well for them.

Maureen: I totally agree--it is, as you say, better than the 'vacant' online alternative!

Sarah: I agree--and most of the time, the agents here do check the vacant box even if there are shots of the home completely furnished. Unfortunately if we don't disclose, someone WILL, inevitably, complain!!

Debe -- I've been clicking this link Virtual Staging Properties and it's not bring up the site. I think this is a great concept, and love your suggestion to disclose the property is vacant. Someone commented that when a buyer would come in to see the vacant place it would be a turn off, and that the fake photos would deter. Hmmm . . . as if "staging" looks real?!? My clients see through the staged home in a heart beat, so I think this is a GREAT tool AND . . . in a VACANT house, the buyer can take photos, and play around with the software, right?

Heather: Well, the ones in my post ARE real--they're of one of my old listings becase I didn't have time to get permission from any of the online companies before I posted this! And, you're right, it doesn't replace the physical staging but, a good substitute!

Shirin: I do agree but, the flip side to that is that, as a buyer's agent, I've had clients view property online that is fully furnished and when they get to the home, they are so grateful that it is vacant so that they can see their own furnishings in the home. As with everything in life, there are contrasting opinions regarding furnishings in the home. Most of the stagers here, do a wonderful job of not 'filling' the home too full so that those who like the vacant homes aren't overwhelmed with 'stuff.'

Todd: Who would have thought technology would come as far as it has--it's ALL around us!

Elizabeth: I've had clients who have been notified of a transfer and don't want to deal with showings so, we take the photos before their furniture is moved and then put it on the market vacant. We leave a book with the 'furnished' home on the bar in the kitchen for the buyers to see what the property looks like when it is furnished. That way, we capture those who like to see a staged home and those who prefer to view vacant homes!

Maureen: I think it's a great alternative to physical staging! We'll see how it expands in the future.

Mary: I hadn't either and it definitely does change the look/feel of a room. Leave the 8x10 photo in the room and you've captured both buyers--those who need to see the room furnished and those who prefer to do their own visualization!

Kate: We're always on the same wavelength, aren't we?! I think it's a wonderful alternative to 'nothing' don't you?!

Kathy: Love your disclosure! And, I do agree that physical staging is, by FAR, the best option! The people who created one of the companies that I mentioned are both professional stagers as well. They have recognized the need for inexpensive staging and $250 is a price tag that just can't buy alot of physical staging these days! For an affordable option, I think it will probably become a thing of the future--again, it should be the second choice to physical staging!

Beverly: I don't think you're being harsh--just your opinion and I have to say that I, myself, prefer the real thing! It's not always an option for some cash-strapped clients though!

Michelle & Michelle: As I said in the comments above, I've represented many buyers who actually prefer to walk into a vacant home--they want to visualize the property with their own furnishings in it. I also have buyers who prefer to see staged or furnished homes. This technique captures both--you've got the staging book or each room with an 8x10 photo in it to show what it could look like with furniture and the vacant room for the creative buyers. However, physical staging is my preference if the client can afford it--definitely!

Emily: Isn't it though?! I think this is a wonderful idea for so many who simply can't afford staging or WON'T do it!

Ken: Check out those websites--very interesting!

Russell: I think so too! I wish I had thought of it first!!

Dan: Hmm...interesting idea! I guess the agent really does have to know the rooms in the listing to be able to tell if it was done correctly.

Lane: We have a box that we check on our MLS stating that the property is vacant--that covers us. You may want to suggest that to your MLS too!

Sharon: My sentiments exactly--there is no difference. It would be FANTASTIC if everyone could afford physical staging but, this is a viable option for those who can't! If I were a professional stager, I think I would invest in creating some software to do this for those clients and capture their local business--embrace technology or you'll be left behind!

Jeff: I agree--I hadn't thought of the dimensional problem but, I can see where that would pose a problem for buyers. I think it's a viable option for sellers and those online lookers don't always remember which home had the furnishings and which ones didn't. I just had a buyer last month who saw a home with furnishings in it online. When we walked into the home, it was vacant and she exclaimed, "Oh, thank goodness they got the furniture out so I can see if mine will fit!" Granted, many buyers prefer to see a home staged but, creative buyers much prefer to have an empty to home so they can let their imagination loose!

Shawn: One of them was featured by NAR recently and the photos are just amazing!

Don: Absolutely--that's the idea! Leave the photos in the home with a note that the home has been 'virtually staged' and they'll be able to see it both ways AND think how cool the sellers must be!!

Christine: I think so too! I think many sellers these days feel that they just can't spend another dime on selling their home so, this would be something that would be both affordable and effective for them.

Claude: Thanks--me too! Check out those sites and see what you think--I thought it was VERY cool! And, I'm healing-slowly but, surely--back to typing with both hands but, not doing much else with my dominant arm. It's a very slow process but, I'm making progress every day. Thank you for asking!

Rita: If you use it, let me know what you think! My BIC asked today if we had heard of it and I did a little research and wrote this. I think it's a wonderful idea and can't wait to hear about someone who uses it. As for the wall colors--I think OBEO is the only one that does that--and you don't have to use that option. I certainly would NOT recommend that at all--sellers could find themselves painting walls to make a buyer happy who fell in love with the 'new' (faux) wall colors in the photos!!

Bob & Carolin: You're exactly right! We see that ALL of the time and no one really does complain--they may say something about how different the place looks and with my clients, it's about 50/50 that they prefer it vacant as opposed to wishing the furnishings were there.

Carla: I fixed the link error--sorry about that! Thanks for letting me know! EXCELLENT point about the 'look' of staging! MOST buyers can spot a staged home a mile away and always make a comment on it! Funny but, I tell them to check the 'fridge--if it's empty, the home has been staged! Some of my clients, after the first home, will go to the refrigerator and exclaim, "YEP, it's staged!" One couple would even 'bet' whether the homes were staged or not!! It's a big thing here but, everyone just can't afford to have the 'real' staging done. I think this is a viable alternative to physical staging to improve the sellers' online presence.

Debe - I had no idea....wow. Much better alternative for a seller on a tight budget. Thanks for the new tool and for the great post!

Tiffany: Agreed! I know that there are MANY more who wish that they could afford professional staging than CAN or will do it. This is a much more affordable alternative!

Debe this sure gives the client who cannot visualize what an empty house would look like ideas as to how it could look with furniture. If we could figure out how to get the buyer to view the staged photos at the end of the tour, I think the impact would be greater.

Interesting concept. It is really amazing how technology has evolved over the past decade. Nowadays, it is growing by leaps and bounds. I still do not think that the virtual world will replace the real thing. Cool post ☺...

Helping you live your American dream...

Debe I have taken pictures of a home with the owners furniture in it and then they move out and take the furniture so when buyers show up the home is vacant. So I'm not trying to trick anyone and the same goes with this idea, it gives the buyer and seller another example of what could be.

Buyers need to remember they are buying a house not an image of a house, the furniture is not part of the deal.

I had seen this advertised but the company that I saw did not make it look as real as these photos do. It could be a great way to get buyers to see potential in an empty house but disclosure is necessary as you mention.

DEbe It is excellent as long as you disclose - that's where many will go astray as they frequently do Karen

Debe that is pretty cool. I suppose this could also be used by someone who wants to see how a set of furniture would look in a room as well?

Debe,

That seems to be a great idea. I need these people to come over and "clean up" my office. That way, I'd be the only one who would know what it's really like.

Brian

Now I know I am not the first but that sounds like a great idea. Amazing what a computer will do for you!

Hi Debe,

Wow! Thanks for sharing. Virtual Staging could really help some homeowners especially if a home has been sitting on the market awhile. Here in Prince William County VA,right now, everything that comes on the market sells fairly quickly.

However, for homes that sit Vacant unsold, the low cost option of Virtual Staging could be just what a homeowner needs as a competive edge to help get the home SOLD!

Jennifer: I would place those photos first in the virtual tour line-up so that the prospective buyer does see them!

Michael: Isn't that cool?! I agree, nothing beats the 'real' thing!

David: Excellent point! Most buyers get it but, those who need to 'see' what the place looks like can have it both ways with this type of staging!

Paddy: Check out the sites in the post--I think they've come "a long way baby!"

Karen: Thanks and you're right--it's imperative that we remember disclose, disclose, disclose!

Bill: Great idea! I think large builders have been using this for awhile in their design departments but, the general public could benefit from doing this with re-sales--even if it's just in a main room like the great room.

Brian: HA! Now that's a great idea too!

Gary: It seems a day doesn't go by that I find something online that I am amazed by! As hard as I try, I just can't keep up with it all--there just aren't enough hours in the day!

Peggy: Exactly! I think those are the ones that will benefit most from this service. I can't wait to send this to my homeowners of vacant properties!

WOW! It is amazing the creativity of people and the technology that allows that creativity to grow! I had no idea this was even an option! I am going to bookmark this page and check these companies out!

Financially for many home owners this really may be a great option in lieu of actual home staging.

I have seen this offered recently at our Street of Dreams.

Wow! This is a great option. Interesting question about whether it's deceptive without the disclosure. Don't buyers know that the furniture doesn't come with the house? Or is it a question of "retouched" photos?

Debe,

I just heard of virtual staging just this past week. What a novel idea. I saw some examples and could not believe the quality. It sure fooled me. As they say, you can only do so much, the property has to sell itself. With virtual staging, you sure made that much easier.

How neat it is. I have a home I need staged so bad and this will work.

This is VERY COOL. Thanks so much for sharing.

I have seen discussions about virtual staging but as long as it is disclosed i can't see what it hurts. Some people have no vision and this would help.

Hi Debe ! I had been discussing this with some other colleagues a few weeks ago, but we were unsure of the quality, and the disclosure aspect, but the example you give is fabulous !

... I shall now go and explore further !

Cheers !

Sheldon :o)

As a Stager and Director of Marketing for IAHSP International, I don't think this is a good idea. It may be a great alternative to lowering costs for true Staging, but when you get to play with tehnology and manipulate various improvements - walls painted, furniture added, carpets removed - this is very concerning because this is not representing the house as it really is.

"Virtual Staging is risky business and this is a real challenge in possible misrepresentation at its best," says Barb Schwarz, the Creator of Home Staging. I agree with her and liken the scenario to dating on the web. How would you like to ask to go out with someone based on their interaction with you on the internet, only to find out they digitally enhanced themselves (fuller set of hair, look 10 years younger, ie) and they aren't who they say they are. Let down? Disappointed? Duped? I think I would be a little taken aback and feel a little upset.

When 85% of people look online and make the time and commitment to see the properties - they are making the decisions based on the pictures. They have to carve out time out of their hectic schedules w/work or children's sports/activities. I think they would make the effort to see it only to feel a little disappointed as it wasn't what got them to see the house in the first place. Isn't that the purpose of Staging, to create an emotional attachment? Virtual Staging may get them in the door, but I don't think it will bring in the offer as you've lost them as soon as they walked in.

I will post a Press Release I wrote two months ago for those interested in learning about what the IAHSP International had to say about it.

What a creative business idea! I agree that it is imperative that the Listing Agent state that the rooms in the photos were virtually staged.

Debe, you had better watch your back my friend! A lot of stagers could become "concerned" with this great idea! Now, why is it that you don't start this company? My clients would buy into it! lol...great idea.

Deb

I don't think Debe needs to watch her back, Deb, do you? There're many roads to the top of the mountain and the point is to get on the top. Debe's great blog has created a wonderful conversation and this is where we learn from each other. It has been a mix of feedbacks from stagers as well as agents. So, don't worry Debe, you're safe with the stagers. LOL :)

What a novel idea as you say. I think this will be great to do and maybe it will catch on. I think there will be lots of interest thanks for the novel idea!!

Patrica/Seacoast NH

Debe - This is absolutely amazing! I had a gorgeous home that was on the market for almost a year because no one could visualize how to put furniture in the rooms. It was a vacant property. I would gladly have disclosed that the rooms were virtually staged and I can tell you that home would have sold for at least $20,000 more than it did, if people could have visualized furniture in it. It certainly doesn't take the place of staging, I can see how there would be a letdown when people actually see the home, but I've yet to convince a client to spend their money on staging. I wish I could. I will definitely use one of these services. Thank you!

Hi Everyone! Thanks for your comments and I do agree that it's a great idea! In response to Marcyne, I have to say that professional staging IS superior to this method. Like Gail, it's hard to convince sellers in this declining market, who are already losing tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, plunk down more money to stage a home. I think this is a viable alternative as do the two professional stagers who started this business. They recognized that this market was calling for a less expensive option for sellers of vacant properties.

There is no let down when it is disclosed in the write-up that this property has been virtually staged AND a photo album of the virtually staged rooms is supplied for them to view while they are in the home. As a matter of fact, half of my buyers actually prefer to visit a vacant home. They love the photos of homes that previously had the furniture in them and have since vacated the property but, when they arrive to view the property, they want to be able to visualize their own furnishings in the home.

Again, this is not meant to be a replacement for physically professionally staging a home, just an affordable alternative for struggling sellers in this market. If I were a stager, I would hire someone to create the software for me and begin providing this service! Deb--I wish I had thought of it FIRST! Many of our stagers here are struggling for business and I have sent this information on so that they can investigate this alternative for their own businesses! They all know I love them and respect their work, so I don't have to watch my back with my stager friends!! LOL :-)

The Facebook badge looks much neater now.

OCT

Debe, Amazing photo they did. You can not even tell they have doctored it at all. Yes, at this point a disclosure is definitely a necessity.

Debe...

You hit that nail right on the head. Sometimes, business models have to be changed or tweeked to accommodate a changing market. I mean honestly, did any one ever think for one moment that many of us would have to learn everything there is know about short sales? As times change so do business models. Shall I go into how many times I'd reinvented myself? :)

TLW...ROAR!

Debe, I must say that this option is beyond brilliant. I just wish I had it in my budget to implement it for my empty house listing...as I am sure that it would more than pay for itself through the sale of such a staged house.

OCT

Debe - I recently heard about this - but hadn't viewed the before and after look. Thanks so much for sharing. ~ Diana ~

Ok people....I don't get what the issue is about having a home virtually staged, and then when you show the buyers the home, they are "disappointed" when it's empty? What? And what do you do when you take pictures of a listing, and 2 months later, the Seller's move and the house is now vacant? Do we go take new listing pictures showing all those empty rooms? No! We leave the pictures with all the furniture because it looks better.

I also agree that there is a time and place for everything, and not all homes can, or should be virtually staged. But it's amazing technology. Also, as I under stand it, the place the enhanced photos in the actual rooms of the home so the Buyer can make reference to the pictures on the listing and the actual room in the house!

Thanks for beating me to the punch Debe.....on an Atlanta company on a post!

Debe, I LOVE this idea. This is the first time I've heard about it. I don't think this is misleading at ALL. As Thom mentioned, we all have sellers that move out before the home is sold and the same photos remain, because it looks nicer furnished.

I liked your idea of printing out photos to put around the home to show the ideas. So many buyers have no imagination.

When sellers are upside down/behind on their mortgage, etc., staging is the last thing they can afford, in their minds. Maybe stagers could start getting paid when we do...that's a thought! Why not?

Jane: Thankyou dahling!

Larry: This was MY photos that I had taken before and after staging! I did not have time to get the permissions from the company that does this!

TLW: So, let's hear it! ;-) You know, these days, it changes monthly and I concur--who would have EVER thought we'd all be learning the ins and outs of short sales on a daily basis?!

William: Agreed! And, me too! I think it's a splendid idea that can benefit many vacant property owners by giving them the online advantage that they need to get their properties SOLD!

Diana: I hadn't heard of it either and thought it GENIUS!

Thom: Well said, my friend! I can't tell you how many are online now that have been listed for many months and the owners have moved on--no indication that the property is vacant--hell, we forget to note that if the listing has been up since the owners lived in the property! I've never heard one complaint about that--as a matter of fat, I've heard that the buyers are glad that they can measure easier for their furniture! I'm closing on one in two weeks that had that very thing happen and my buyers were thrilled that the furniture had been moved out so that they could better visualize THEIR furniture in the home.

And, I can't believe I beat YOU to the punch for once!!

Sis: You're SO right--with more and more short sales, this is a more cost-effective method of getting better online presence than physical staging. MOST can't afford to have their homes staged so, this is a wonderful alternative that is affordable and gets the same results. On another note, I've seen homes staged for 3 months and didn't sell. The photos online are of the staging but, the staging has since been removed. I don't hear anyone crying FOUL when this happens either! The stager is still getting the credit for the beautiful work that is still displayed online. I have actually presented that idea to a stager before and she said that her monthly expenses, if she's renting the furniture, is too cost-prohibitive. I tell her that is what we live with on a day-to-day basis. She had an AH-HA moment but, didn't go with my idea. I think it's a shame because if it works (their staging), then they'll have MORE business than they know what to do with!

Wow - I think this is an awesome alternative. For $250, I might consider absorbing that cost myself in certain circumstances. Am bookmarking this - thank you!

OCT

Thank you for posting this Debe. As times change... WE need to change. Of course there are listings out there with furniture in the pics before the owners moved out... it happens all the time. This service should be called Conceptual Staging or Conceptual Design. This truly does not replace traditional staging by any means, but it does offer another service to provide. So the REA would have another choice to add to their listing package (A home consult for an occupied or virtually staged pics, both about the same price) I am all for full disclosure and watermarked pics alerting the buyer. I have not added this to my services yet, because I truly want to research the best service to go with... even if I have to train and learn it myself.

But it is a possibility that I am willing to look at.. and I am a stager ;)

OCT

Debe, I can't wait to check out these websites. I had not heard about it before now.

OCT

Lori C: Thank you! Best of luck and do let us know how it works for you!

Lori P: I think you're so right to take that attitude--heck, I focused exclusively on luxury listings before last year! Now, I'm taking out first time homebuyers AND doing short sales! In my humble opinion, I think it's good business practice to adjust your business model based upon the economic climate--if you don't, you could be out of business quickly! Let me know how it goes if you do decide to add this to your business plan!

Ann: I hadn't either and I'm very excited about seeing how it works for my long-time vacant properties.

NOV

Debe, Thanks so much for posting our information about our new patent pending virtual staging marketing tool for vacant homes. My husband and I have a traditional staging company in Atlanta and have staged over a hundred homes a year.

The agents asked us if there was any other way to stage a vacant unit without the big expense that traditional staging sometimes brings and we felt our pricing was very competitive at the time. Hence we came up with the virtual staging option and wanted to offer it not only to agents and sellers in Atlanta but nationwide. Our Patent-Pending virtual staging service will help drive traffic to your vacant property ...Because without traffic, it may never sell!

Thanks for all the realtors support. I hope everyone here on the comments page has viewed all our articles from Realtor magazine to the San Francisco Chronicle thanks to my PR peeps - they keep us out there and are helping us spread the word! I look forward to working with the realtors in TX. We have already virtually staged several homes in TX and you all are part of our 26 out of 50 states and couting where virtual staging of homes has occured with www.virtuallystagingproperties.com!

Not convinced or skeptical? Here are 7 Great Reasons Virtually Staging Properties
will Help Sell Your Vacant Property:

We are experienced home staging professionals - we have 'traditionally' staged hundreds of vacant homes in the Atlanta area.
87% of home buyers will search the Internet for their next home - National Association of Realtors
Vacant properties do not generate buyer traffic.
Vacant photos are uninspiring and indistinguishable from the next.
Why compete for buyer traffic on price when you can ensure your property stands out among the crowd.
Virtual staging is an excellent alternative for home owners that just can't afford traditional home staging.
No other virtual staging solution offers the realism generated by our Patent-Pending process.

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