Virtual staging a growing trend
What began during the pandemic has grown as more millennials shop online
Real estate experts have long touted the value of staging your home for prospective buyers. In fact, in a 2019 National Association of Realtors (NAR) report, one-quarter of buyers' agents said that staging boosted the dollar value offered by between one and five per cent.
But traditional home staging, in which stagers bring in actual furnishings, can be expensive. It can take time to source items, and in some cases traditional staging might not be feasible. That's where virtual staging can come in.
Virtual staging involves digitally adding furnishings to an image of an empty room. The process took hold during the pandemic and has since grown in popularity, thanks to technological advances and more millennials in the market who are comfortable shopping for homes online.
“Virtual staging tends to be more cost-effective and quicker to implement. Although it has its limitations, there is still some room for customization,” Angel Lee, director of marketing production at Coldwell Banker Warburg, told
Better Homes & Gardens.
Virtual staging companies can often complete a job in 24 hours or less — and at a competitive price point. Depending on the scale of the project, traditional staging can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands. Meanwhile, a virtual designer can stage a room for roughly $30 to $400, depending on the company and work involved.
Yet some experts say clients may be disappointed when they visit a virtually designed property and discover it doesn't look the same — even if the listing came with a “virtual design” disclaimer.
“It may initially raise buyers' expectations and set them up for a letdown when they see rooms in person,” Kristie Barnett, whose firm The Decorologist runs staging seminars, told the NAR blog.
In deciding whether to go with traditional or virtual staging, you need to decide what your goals are and how much of a cost you can absorb.
“Virtual staging is preferred in scenarios where budget constraints are a concern, timelines are tight, or customization options
need to be explored extensively without the need for physical furniture,” Lee said.
Still, many agents still prefer traditional staging. Clever furniture arrangement can distract from minor imperfections and allow
potential buyers to see a home's potential in person.
“Traditional staging is more suitable when a tangible and realistic presentation of the property is desired, especially in upscale or luxury markets where physical
furnishings can enhance the perceived value of the property,” Lee said. “The advantage lies in creating an emotional connection with potential buyers through a physical experience of the staged space.”