Sell Your Home Faster! Why Virtual Home Staging is a Must in Today’s Real Estate Market
When you list your home for sale, your top priorities are usually to sell it quickly and to get the highest possible price. While there are many factors that impact whether this happens, one major influencer is home staging.
In fact, according to research done by the National Association of REALTORS®, 22% of sellers’ agents reported a 1% to 5% increase in selling price for homes that had been staged versus those that hadn’t. Another 17% reported increases of 6% to 10%. Many also reported a reduction in the amount of time the homes stayed on the market.
Virtual home staging brings similar results with even less effort!
Not sure what virtual home staging is and how it works? You’re in the right place! Here’s an overview of the process and the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
What is Virtual Home Staging?
Before we jump into explaining virtual home staging, it’s helpful to understand what staging is in the first place. In simple terms, it involves setting up a home so potential buyers can visualize what it will be like to live there.
It usually involves strategically placing the exact right type of furniture and décor in the home so that it’s as appealing as possible.
Virtual staging does the same thing, but instead of buying the necessary items and rearranging the home, it’s all done online.
Instead of renting a U-haul and dragging around heavy furniture, digital staging experts simply drag-and-drop the perfect items onto a digital version of each room.
Why Use a Virtual Home Staging Company?
One of the biggest advantages of virtual home staging is that it can be done for a fraction of the cost of physical home staging. It’s perfect for homeowners who have already moved out and left behind an empty house and is also a great way to help potential buyers visualize the best way to configure a room with an awkward layout.
A staged home helps to create an emotional reaction in the buyer, which is likely one of the reasons why it often translates into higher offers.
How Does It Work?
Virtual home staging is a completely digital process. Typically, it will start with you or your agent taking photos of each room and submitting them to the company. The designers will then choose the perfect furniture and décor and digitally add them to the room.
One of the things that users love is that the room doesn’t necessarily have to be empty. In fact, depending on the company you choose, they may be able to digitally remove the furniture you have and replace it with a completely different look.
You can use this service for any room. The most common are living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms. A digital stager can add furniture, rugs, artwork, lighting, decorative pillows, tabletop décor, and more.
Is Digital Staging Honest and Ethical?
Some people worry about the ethics of using a digital stager. They’re concerned that it could feel like a “bait and switch,†and wonder if it will upset potential buyers.
Most companies recommend that you always disclose up front that the home has been digitally staged. In almost all cases, buyers will appreciate being able to visualize what the home would look like when it’s furnished.
Few buyers purchase a home sight-unseen. It’s almost guaranteed that they’re going to visit it in-person and at that time they’ll see the home as it is. However, since almost 90% of people who purchase a home spend at least some of their time searching online, it’s smart to put your best foot forward in the digital world
Do You Really Need to Hire a Pro?
Before you go out and start downloading virtual staging software, understand that this is really something that’s best left to the pros. Staging a home for sale is much different than traditional interior design, and, if you’re not careful, you could end up doing more harm than good.
The quality of the software makes a big difference as well. Many of the programs available directly to consumers don’t have the same capabilities as those that professionals use.
It’s critical that digital staging looks natural. The last thing you want to do is make a potential buyer suspicious that things are being done half-way. If this happens, it’s likely that instead of making you a top-notch offer they’ll end up running in the opposite direction or spending undue time looking for problems.
How Do You Find the Best Virtual Staging Company?
There are several popular companies providing virtual home staging services online and more are popping up all the time. Before hiring one, make sure to ask important questions, like:
- How quickly will I receive my new photos?
- Am I allowed to make revision requests? If so, is there a limit to how many?
- What happens if I need help? What kind of support do you offer?
- Do you offer a price match or a money-back guarantee?
- Can I see examples of your work?
Listen carefully to the answers you receive before you make your decision. This will help ensure you find the best virtual staging company If something doesn’t feel right, keep looking until you find a company you’re sure you can trust.
Get Started with Virtual Home Staging Today!
Whether you’re thinking of selling your home or you’re already working with a seller’s agent, make sure you learn about how virtual home staging can help you get the best possible offer.
Contact us today to learn more about our process and why we’re the best virtual staging company! From same-day delivery and unlimited revisions to a money-back guarantee, we do everything we can to make your home staging project a breeze!
