When it comes to staging your home for sale, there are two main options: virtual staging and real staging. Both have pros and cons, so how do you know which is right for you?

This article will discuss the differences between virtual and real staging and help you decide which option is best for your needs.

Why is Staging so Important?

When selling a house, making an excellent first impression is essential. After all, potential buyers will only have a brief moment to decide whether they are interested in your property.

This is where staging comes in. By taking the time to declutter, deep clean, and arrange your furniture in an appealing way, you can make your home look its best and help buyers envision themselves living there.

In fact, studies have shown that staged homes sell faster and for higher prices than non-staged homes. So if you're looking to sell your house, don't underestimate the power of staging. With a little effort, you can make a significant impact on the sale of your home.

What is Virtual Staging?

Virtual staging is digitally altering a photo of an empty room to make it look like it is furnished. This can be done by adding virtual furniture, accessories, and other home décor items.

Virtual staging can be a great way to make an empty room look more inviting and help potential buyers to visualize how the space could be used. It can also be a cost-effective way to stage a home for sale, as there is no need to rent or purchase existing furniture.

If you are considering virtual staging for your home, be sure to work with real estate professionals who have experience with this process.

What is Real Staging?

Real staging is preparing a home for sale by making it look its best. This includes decluttering, deep cleaning, and making cosmetic improvements.

The goal is to make the home as appealing as possible to potential buyers in order to sell it quickly and for the best price possible. Real staging is not the same as decorating; it is a strategic process carefully tailored to each home.

In most cases, real staging will involve some combination of decluttering, reorganizing, and redecorating. However, the specific steps will vary depending on the home's condition and the sellers' needs.

By working with a professional stager, sellers can ensure that their home makes a great first impression on buyers and stands out from the competition.

Is Virtual Staging Effective?

Virtual real estate staging is a popular tool that real estate agents use to help market properties. By using computer-generated images, virtual staging can help potential buyers visualize what a property would look like with furniture and other everyday household items in place.

Although virtual staging is not the same as actually staging a property, it can be an effective way to help buyers see the potential of a virtually stage property. In addition, virtual staging is often more affordable than traditional staging, making it a good option for budget-conscious sellers.

While virtual staging is not suitable for every situation, it can be a helpful tool for marketing properties.

What Should You Not Do When Staging a House?

No matter the staging you choose for your home, there are certain things to avoid.

First and foremost, it is important not to over-stage the property. Too much furniture or décor can make the space look cluttered and unappealing.

It is also important to remember that staging should focus on making a space look inviting and appealing, not on personalizing it.

It is also important to avoid making any major changes to the home that could be viewed as negative by potential buyers. This includes painting or remodeling projects, which may not bring a return on investment if done too soon before selling the home.

Finally, be sure to work with a home staging professional who can help you create an attractive and inviting space without going over budget.

Virtual Staging vs. Real Staging

Real staging is the process of physically furnishing and decorating a home to appeal to buyers. This usually includes bringing furniture, art, and other decorations to make the space warm and inviting.

On the other hand, virtual staging is a digital version of real staging. Instead of physically furnishing a home, virtual staging uses computer-generated images to stage the space.

This can be a great option for a seller or real estate agent who wants to stage their home without the hassle or expense of hiring a professional stager. It can also be a good option for sellers who live in multifamily buildings with furniture and decorations restrictions.

PROS of Virtual Staging

Covid Friendly

Virtual staging does not require a physical presence in the home. This can be a great advantage for sellers concerned about potential coronavirus exposure when allowing strangers into their homes.

More Affordable

Virtual staging costs less than real home staging, as virtual staging does not require hiring a professional stager and purchasing furniture or other staging items.

No Clean-Up Necessary

Virtual staging does not require the seller to clean or declutter the space beforehand. This can save a lot of time and effort when it comes to prepping for marketing photos.

More Flexibility

Virtual staging service offers more flexibility in terms of the furniture and décor that can be added to the space. Virtual staging also allows you to make changes quickly and easily if needed.

They can look at the virtually staged images from the comfort of their homes and try different virtual items in the same space without having to buy new furniture or accessories.

CONS of Virtual Staging

Not As Realistic

Virtual staging is not quite as realistic as real staging as physical staging, which can be a turn-off for some buyers who prefer to see the actual furniture and décor in a space.

Less Impact

Virtual staging can make a room look nice, but it doesn't have quite the same impact as real staging when it comes to making buyers fall in love with a home.

PROS of Real Staging

More Realistic

It gives potential buyers a much better idea of what the space looks like when decorated, as they can see the furniture and décor.

Greater Impact

Real staging often has a greater impact on potential buyers than virtual staging does, as they are able to see and experience the items in person. In addition, staging can give buyers a sense of how to use the space and make them feel like they're already living there.

This has a much greater impact on potential viewers than virtual staging does. 

More Attention to Detail

Real staging often includes more attention to detail, such as accessories and artwork, which can make a room look more inviting and homey.

CONS of Real Staging

More Expensive

Hiring a professional stager and buying new furniture or staging items can quickly become expensive.

More Time Consuming

Real staging typically takes longer than virtual staging as it requires the stager to bring items into the home and place them in the space. It also requires more time for cleaning and decluttering, and removing all of the staging items after photos are taken.

Which One is For You?

Staging is important in selling a home, as it can help potential buyers visualize living in the space and make the property more appealing. As a result, many real estate agents and sellers are now turning to virtual staging as an efficient and cost-effective way to stage homes for listing photos.

But virtual and real staging are both valid options, and which is best for your needs will depend on your budget, the condition of your home, and the goals you have for selling it.

By understanding the basics of virtual staging vs. real staging and following this guide, you can make an informed decision about which option is best for you. Good luck!

FAQs

Is Virtual Staging Better Than Real Staging?

Yes, virtual staging is often better than real staging. Virtual staging can be done with just a few photos of a room and can be used to show how furniture and decor might look in a space. Real staging usually requires an empty room, and it can be expensive to hire a professional stager.

Does Staging Increase Value?

Yes, staging definitely increases value. A well-done home staging can increase the asking price by 10% to 20%. It's a great way to make your home more appealing to potential buyers and help you get top dollar for your property. 

What are the Common Staging Mistakes?

A few common staging mistakes can really affect the outcome of your sale. Here are a few of the most common ones:

1. Not decluttering enough. This is probably one of the most common staging mistakes, and it can make your home look smaller and more cluttered.

2. Failing to neutralize colors. If your home has bright or bold colors, buyers might find it hard to see themselves living in it. Try to neutralize as many colors as possible, using light shades instead.

3. Over-staging. A little staging can help your home stand out, but too much can be a distraction.

4. Not considering the buyer's lifestyle. When staging your home, think about what types of buyers might be interested in it and stage accordingly. You want to create an atmosphere that appeals to the different lifestyles that people have.