Real estate professionals understand the importance of a perfectly staged home during the listing process. Staging is a great way to bring a vacant or less attractive property into a new light, sometimes literally.
Homebuyers rely upon the listing photos and videos to determine if a particular property is where they see themselves living, or the potential of a fixer-upper. There is limited time to convince the buyer to view the property since most people judge a first impression within seven seconds!
In this post, Tourdrop shares the top benefits of virtual staging along with some best practices.
Benefits of Virtual Staging
First, you should always first consider phsysically staging your listings. When a potential buyer walks into a perfectly staged property it will provide the most immersive experience possible. However, there are times when physically staging a property may not be possible. Reasons may include budget or time constraints.
Virtual staging is an alternative to physically staging a property. With virtual staging, your photos will be edited to include designer furnishings. So instead of having actual furnishings in the property, the photos are digitally edited with “virtual” furnishings. There are several benefits of utilizing virtual staging, namely time and money. However, there are several marketing advantages to the process as well.Here are the top 3 benefits associated with virtual staging:
1. More Cost-Effective than Traditional Staging
Physically staging a home is expensive. Many agents end up renting or purchasing the design elements, like artwork, furniture, and tapestries, which can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 per property.
Virtual staging costs a fraction of physical staging. Tourdrop charges $30 per photo for virtual staging, so virtually staging the main areas of a home is much less expensive. Virtual staging is the most cost-effective way to elevate the appearance of a property without a huge capital investment.
2. Gives the Property an Instant Visual Appeal
Even the most desirable listings may require a little bit of a facelift. Creating visual appeal is even more challenging for listings that are cluttered or less than perfect.
Using virtual staging allows agents to give the property an instant boost by adding designer furnishings and helping potential buyers see how the rooms flow together.
3. Sells the Property Faster
Virtually staged properties sell 73 percent times faster than unstaged properties. Empty homes remain on the market longer because buyers may struggle to see the potential of a home.
Therefore, investing in virtual staging can result in less time on the market and ultimately more sales for the agent.
Virtual Staging Best Practices and Tips
Virtual staging is an excellent fit for many properties. Homes and interior spaces that require a little extra warmth stand to benefit more from the practice.
Virtual staging is an excellent choice for:
- Vacant properties
- Properties with older furniture
- Buildings with tenants in them
- Properties that lack appeal
- Cluttered homes
Tourdrop recommends that real estate agents focus on the right rooms to get the most out of their virtual staging.
Focus on the Right Rooms
Painting the picture for the homebuyer is an effective way to sell the home faster and more efficiently. Fortunately, real estate agents do not have to stage every single room to save even more money.
Staging the main areas of a home should include the following:
- Living rooms
- Dining rooms
- Family rooms
- Kitchens
- Master bedroom
- Bonus rooms
- Office/Library
The more an agent can help the prospect see how he or she fits into the home, the more effective the home sales process is.
Don’t Forget About Outdoor Living Areas
Outdoor living areas are a staple of any property. Agents can use virtual staging to elevate the appearance of outdoor areas include the following:
- Patios
- Pool areas
- Lanais
- Balconies
Final Thoughts and Considerations
Now you understand why virtual staging is so useful and how it can save you money while resulting in less time on the market. Taking advantage of the benefits of virtual staging, and implementing it effectively will help your listings stand apart from the competition.
If you are ready to take your real estate sales to the next level, Tourdrop would love to help. Sign up for your free account now.