Home : Blogs : Teri B. Clark : Teri B. Clark's Real Estate Books Including Home Staging and Private Mortgage Investing

Virtual Home Staging? Really?

The more I read, the more I am amazed. Sometimes I fear that I may get left behind in "pre-cyber" times while the rest of the world races ahead virtually! I was a virtual assistant for a time. I thought that was pretty innovative at the time - being a secretary without ever having to leave my home. I know of people that telecommute - doing their job without ever leaving their home.

But home staging without ever leaving your home? Or more importantly, without ever seeing the house in person/

I just read about one designer that also does staging that is doing just that. She says that all she needs are a "number of quality photos emailed to her digitally and window measurements." And for her, this seems to be working.

Wall color selection is one of the most sought after services. She uses a computer to digitally paint their walls with different colors so that they can make a decision - I guess it is a matter of seeing is believing? She does the same with window treatments.

I've read about others that give virtual furniture arrangements.

Anybody out there being this tech savvy? I am not sure if I would feel comfortable with this. I am such a people person. I think I would like the contact. But, maybe in the world of busy busy, people would like an instant solution to their problems.

If you are doing this type of thing, answer these questions for me. I'd love to hear more about the process.

How do you handle clean and clutter or adding those special touches?
How do you determine the best furniture placement without seeing the entire flow of the house?
How do you determine what repairs or cosmetic upgrades need to be made since photos don't always tell the whole truth?

Thanks! I keep learning all the time!

Posted by Teri B. Clark on 03/08/2007 12:34 PM

Comments (15)

commissions, home staging, home staging book, home staging tip, home staging tips, staging your home, staging, staging book, staging tips

Post is included in group: Connecticut Real Estate Professionals

15 Comments on Virtual Home Staging? Really?

MAR

2007

It feels a little deceptive to me.... that is my first impression of this concept. But if the public gets it and accepts the practice then I am all for it. But I highly doubt it.

Craig

I couldn't decide if I was behind the times or not. It seems to me that the idea of home staging requires that you know the client and work with them. How do you really know what a home needs if you never really see it?

Perhaps there are some virtual things you can do - the paint idea might be one of them since people have trouble visualizing - but in general, it seems so impersonal.

MAR

2007

it's not a new concept. now interior decorators do it too. there was a recent article in domino magazine about this designer does "design in a box" that after reviewing your photos, she will send you furniture recs and even space plan drawing to you. i personally have not done it for clients but it's certainly an option.

cheers,

cindy@staged4more

Hellllooooooo? I do it all the time and there is a post right here in home staging, straight down this list...go see.

I know of several stagers in the RAIN that do this! It appears to be working for them! Alot of them have it on their websites !!!! Recently, Loreena Yeo asked for some help on a property! The stagers here gave her tons of advice after viewing the photos!

Cindy - let me know if you try it out. I'd be interested in what you think of it.

Sheron

AHHHHHHHHHH, someone who does find me to be behind the times! I knew that there was someone out there! lol

I took a look at your post and I'm intrigued. I may just have to try this whole thing out.

Do you feel that what the buyer gets online is as good as what the buyer gets if you go in person?

I'd be concerned that the buyer wouldn't be as likely to give you all the info you really wanted!

Thanks Marci - yep, seems I really am out of touch. I guess that I can see it working with pointers or a few helpful hints....but certainly that goes over better with someone that already understands the idea of staging?

oh, the joys of skeptics afraid of new technology and ideas! lol

Teri - are you a home stager or interior designer? Just curious.

Technology has its benefits but not here. How can you build a client relationship if you never actually meet face to face? It can take time to get to know a client before they trust you and feel confortable with you.

Once trust is established clients are much more likely to implement your changes and to experience real success with home staging. How are people going to feel if they are paying for a service that they will still need help to put into action, who will help them do that?

Lucie - this was the concern I had. I am a people person and I want personal interaction when it comes to the service industry.

JUL

2007

Virtual Staging is another marketing technique for empty homes viewed on the internet. It is merely an attraction way for people to contact the realtor after viewing the photos online. For most people, photos are the first impression they see of a home online. Everyone wants the viewer to remember the home. As a buyer, empty homes all look alike; especially in today's market with beige being the prevailing color of the walls.

A professional virtual stager has the ability to furnish the home, so a viewer will call on the house. It is up the realtor to let the caller know that the furniture is no longer or never was in the home.

I do virtual staging and I do not paint wall or even put in drapes unless the drapes are to be sold with the home. Virtual staging does not take away the realtors ability to handle the client face to face, on the contrary it gets people to call on an empty house.

I only work with empty home photos. I don't remove any type of clutter or hide any flaws. Virtual staging is done in several ways using several technologies. I now keep a database of where I get the furniture and their prices, because people starting asking me that information. I'm not an interior decorator, and never claim to be one. I' a designer/programmer by trade and use my own program to do virtual staging. The best way to judge a virtual staging is to view before and after photos of their work.

FEB

Virtual staging is a great new break through for vacant homes, It really has nothing to do with being impersonal... you would still sell a home as you normally would except if you have a vacant home you can now have it staged for much less and use the new staged photos in all of your marketing to help potential buyers see what the home could look like.

It takes the cold harsh, unliviable feeling out of vacant homes.

http://www.virtualstagingsolutions.com

MAR

Pretty interesting technology I was just looking at a virtual home staging site and was amazed by how real it looks - its scary. I want to try it out for one of my vacant listings to see what can be done.

MAR

Virtual Home Staging worked for me. Mt clients were impressed and they saw the potential quicker.

I used wwww.virtualstagingsolutions.com

They were great!

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?