Table of Contents
- Understanding Real Estate Virtual Staging
- How Virtual Staging Speeds Up the Sales Cycle
- The Benefits of Virtual Staging for Real Estate Sales
- Virtual vs Traditional Staging: A Cost-Effective Alternative
- Top Tips for Effective Real Estate Virtual Staging
- Realizing the Power of Virtual Staging to Drive Sales
Guest Author: Colin Hannan
Real estate virtual staging is a unique and cost-effective way for developers and investors to showcase the potential of one or more properties that they have for sale.
So, how does it work? Virtual staging services use scaled, high-resolution photographs of furniture, decor, and accessories to enhance different spaces throughout a property and bring it to life.
The AI-driven process can make a room look ultra-realistic and attractive to potential buyers, even when they can’t view the property in person.
The turnaround times are faster and the process is more efficient than traditional home staging, plus virtual staging costs are significantly lower, providing a greater return on investment for sellers.
In this article, we will look at how to leverage real estate virtual staging to accelerate the sales cycle and discover some of the unique tips and techniques used to increase customer appeal.
Understanding Real Estate Virtual Staging
There are multiple differences between real estate virtual staging and traditional home staging. Virtual staging uses digital photo-editing tools to transform empty rooms with customized furniture and decor.
These tools are sometimes enhanced by data-driven insights, meaning that design styles can be tailored to suit a target demographic and cater to their preferences.
It’s a quick, easy, and cost-effective method that helps homes sell without the need for costly renovations or an interior designer.
In contrast, physical or traditional staging can involve employing decorators, removal companies, and design consultants.
The process takes longer and this can slow down sales due to the time it takes to get the property ready for market.
How Virtual Staging Speeds Up the Sales Cycle
Capturing Attention With High-Impact Imagery
Using high-impact virtually staged images that align with the wants and needs of potential buyers can really help them resonate with a property.
Innovative designs and decor, realistic lighting and accurately scaling the furniture can spark new ideas as clients begin to imagine themselves living in the space.
The more ultra-realistic the images, the more buyers become engaged, and as the property conveys a clear message, it builds confidence, helping to speed up and increase the sales process.
Enhanced Flexibility and Customization
With a virtual staging service, sellers have the ability to customize each property or room, and as design options are unlimited, it’s easy to change and modify the furniture style, decor, or color scheme based on the success of your marketing campaign.
The digital staging service is flexible and scalable – investors with one or multiple properties to sell can receive their photographs in 24-48 hours and keep them on file to use again for further projects.
Cost Efficiency and ROI
The National Association of Realtors 2023 report stated that staging can increase a home’s value by 1% to 5%. Additionally, the savings made by virtually staging properties can positively impact ROI.
This is because virtual staging can be scaled without the requirement for additional labor or resources – a huge benefit if you have multiple homes to sell.
There’s no storage or decorating to take into account as items can simply be added or removed from the photographs digitally.
The service is cost-effective too – virtual staging costs start from around $20 per image to just a few hundred dollars to stage an entire room.
Traditional home staging in comparison can cost anything between $5000 and $20,000 USD depending on the size of the property.
Fast & Affordable
Virtual Staging Service
Interiors. Landscapes. Commercial. Virtually transform any space.
The Benefits of Virtual Staging for Real Estate Sales
Quickly Showcases the Potential of Vacant Homes
Virtually staged photos can often make a vacant home appear ready to occupy. When empty rooms are digitally furnished using realistic 3D models, the space becomes more appealing and flattering.
The property instantly feels more welcoming, it looks organized, clean, and uncluttered, and when rooms are depersonalized, prospective buyers can begin to imagine themselves living in the space.
Boosts Real Estate Marketing Efforts
Using virtually staged images that are ultra-realistic polishes the property, making it appear more attractive to potential buyers.
Additionally, high-res pictures and virtual tours can be used across multiple marketing channels and they can generate interest via emails, newsletters, and real estate websites.
The digital images can also help to sell new build properties. Proven Partners real estate marketing has great examples of how virtual staging was used to sell their exclusive luxury villa project in Zanzibar.
Improves Buyer Decision-Making
When you add furniture, decor, and landscaping to vacant homes, it helps buyers emotionally connect with the space.
Ideas begin to flow and the true potential of the property can be recognized as they start to plan colors, furniture styles, and artwork for the walls.
The hyper-realistic imagery, coupled with accurate lighting and scaling also helps to accelerate the sales process – buyers are able to make decisions quicker as they already have a vision of life in the property.
Reduced Time on Market
The Real Estate Staging Association says that properties that have been staged spend 73% less time on the market.
This is because when properties are beautifully presented with high-resolution images, they tend to attract more buyers and become instantly more desirable.
This creates a sense of urgency and can often lead to higher prices, greater customer satisfaction, and increased sales.
Virtual vs Traditional Staging: A Cost-Effective Alternative
One of the main differences between virtual staging vs traditional staging is the cost. Using ultra-realistic photos to stage a property can engage potential buyers quicker while ensuring the property is aligned with their preferences and styles.
From a logistical perspective, there are no transportation and moving costs involved in virtual staging, and rather than taking a few weeks to traditionally stage a property, 3D models and photos can be turned around in 24 to 48 hours.
Another benefit to real estate virtual staging is that agents and investors can keep a portfolio of the images used, making it easier to stage multiple properties at once or utilize them again in the future.
Fast & Affordable
Virtual Staging Service
Interiors. Landscapes. Commercial. Virtually transform any space.
Top Tips for Effective Real Estate Virtual Staging
Choosing the Right Design Style
The aim of marketing your property is to get it to appeal to as many people as possible and to do this successfully, you need to highlight its unique features.
For example, if your property has a stunning pool area, add plants, loungers, and accessories to enhance the space. If there’s a breathtaking view, use minimal and modern furnishings to make the vista a focal point.
Keeping the primary furnishings neutral in tone is advantageous. This means that the photos can be used for other projects with just the artwork and accessories being replaced.
Also, using neutral colors allows you to draw ideas from outdoor landscapes such as the desert, mountains, or ocean to choose colors and patterns for textiles and soft furnishings.
Also, ensure that the decor aligns with your property and audience. A modern beachfront villa filled with antiques may not appeal to high-net-worth millennials, just as eco-style smart decor may not align with a historic home or the needs of wealthy retirees.
Using Floor Plans and Accurate Layouts
Using a floor plan when marketing your property alongside virtually staged images can help prospective buyers better understand the layout and room dimensions.
The plans can represent each space accurately and the furnishings can be scaled so that the property size isn’t misleading.
Using floor plans can increase the interest of buyers significantly as they have the freedom to explore the home virtually and envision themselves in it.
Hiring a Professional Virtual Staging Service
There are many virtual home staging companies out there, but it’s always wise to do your research and hire professionals.
Obtaining realistic results can make all the difference to successful marketing campaigns. The images should always be ultra-high resolution and authentic – light and shadows in the property should be captured correctly and attention to detail is key.
Professional virtual stagers are often former interior designers, 3D modelers, and photographers and they can ensure that the property is accurately represented while highlighting its best features.
Realizing the Power of Virtual Staging to Drive Sales
There are many benefits to using real estate virtual staging for real estate agents, investors, and property developers.
- It’s the most convenient and cost-effective way of staging properties
- Quick turnaround time in 24-48 hours
- High-resolution photos can be scaled to market multiple properties
- Visually appealing for real estate marketing and websites
- Can generate faster sales and higher ROI
- Increases the buyers’ connection to the property
- Photos can be tailored to the preferences of specific demographics
To discover how to get started with real estate photo editing and virtual staging explore the PhotoUp website.
They have photo editing, virtual staging offers, virtual tours, video editing, and many more services to get your marketing campaign off the ground.
Sign up for a free PhotoUp account today, and give virtual staging a try!
We hope this blog post helped you realize the value of real estate virtual staging to accelerate sales cycles. Before you go, make sure to check out the following resources as well:
