When it comes to marketing and selling a home, staging can be a powerful tool. Some may argue that home staging isn't worth the cost, but there are many good arguments for making the investment in a professional home stager. Staging not only helps a home sell faster in many cases, but it can also boost buyer desire for a home, resulting in a potentially higher closing price. What’s more, a commitment to staging can prevent you from procrastinating when it comes to decluttering.
Now, though, some agents are turning towards virtual staging. Virtual staging, broadly defined, is the use of computer imaging technology to create realistic listing photos which display a staged home, even though the property itself is not actually staged. Photos of empty rooms are transformed through 3D modeling and photo editing. The results can be quite impressive.
Supporters of virtual home staging say the benefits are obvious. Not only is it less expensive than traditional home staging, but it can also be completed in less time. Stagers, on the other hand, feel the practice is somewhat deceptive. The main argument seems to be that buyers will be disappointed when they arrive at the empty home after seeing staged photos online.
Clearly, stagers don't want to see their business undermined by virtual competitors, but do they have a point? Are buyers put off by empty rooms after seeing virtually staged properties online? Is this disparity between staged online and empty in real life a deal breaker?
It might depend on your philosophy when it comes to staging. If your primary motivation is generating interest in the home online, you might want to go with virtual staging to create appealing photographs to drive more leads. If you want buyers to viscerally experience a home’s potential when they visit at an open house or walk-through with their agent, you’ll probably want to go for a traditional home staging.
In either case, it’s a good idea to view staging not as an expense but an investment, much like minor renovations you hope to recoup when the home sells for a better price. If you’re thinking of selling soon and would like to work with a stager, get in touch with me today. I can connect you to trusted professionals who will make your home look its best.
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