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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 (20)

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

20 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!

AUG

Sheron, if others are interested in checking this out, do you have any suggestions as to which software is best? I would imagine the time to learn how to manipulate the images is extremely high.

AUG

We are excited to see the response and feedback on this new Patent Pending Virtually Staging Properties service that we are offering to agents and sellers of vacant properties that are listed for sale!

My company, Virtually Staging PropertiesSM, Inc has been featured in the recent articles that the San Francisco Chronicle and the Chicago Tribune interviewed me and my husband, Jay for and we are excited to get the word out to realtors nationwide. We were so surprised that they used our before and after pictures in the articles but thankful that this has been helping to teach agents that this is really a great new marketing tool for those sellers who are a bit strapped for cash but want attractive and attention getting pictures online. This tool was created to specifically drive buyer traffic to the listings when buyers view the hundreds of listings online which is where most buyers do their shopping for a home.

I am excited to offer this service to agents and this is not a get rich quick scheme nor are we taking the actual pictures of the property and altering the photographs in any manner. We simply wanted to provide another option and creative marketing tool - because presentation is everything to get a property sold in these economic times! www.virtuallystagingproperties.com

AUG

We are having an amazing response from our local Realtors, regarding virtual staging. We make everything to scale and since the home is empty the current owners or banks would prefer furniture that enhances the room. We choose furniture from local furniture stores which helps them boost their revenues and we help decorators with presentations to their clients. Slowly we are making it into the nationwide market.

If the virtual staging is done well it can really help an owner to increase their website home hits and increase their sales. It's actually more enticing, as a person may not like the current owners furnishings or cannot visualize the layout of furniture in a home, however, when quality, neutral or period specific (ie. Victorian homes with Victorian furnishings) furniture is chosen it becomes a visual that can help the home buyer to see what they are purchasing or the possibilities. We have Realtor that not only place the photos on their sites but also in each of the rooms to help the visualization process. It is truly a wonderful tool... and in expensive.

It also works well when the possible owners want to see if their furnishings will look. We've even had request for wall removals. Which is really no different then the request a person would make to an architect who would in turn, go to his graphic designer to make the visual picture again to scale.

If you would like to see what is possible please visit us at www.QwebsiteDesign.com

OCT

I love this and I am intrigued to learn it and bring it to Cape Cod!

OCT

I have heard of virtual vacant home staging and always wondered what it was about. I think my preference would still be to stage the actual home and create that emotional connection to buyers when they come through the door.

I recently had a client who moved out of state say she wished I lived closer to help her put her new home together. I am thinking of having her send photos and I will make recommendations via email. Do it as a virtual staging consult. One more way to combine our expertise and technology!

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