Why Not Just Use Virtual Staging?

September 9, 2024 | Home Staging

In the age of AI, we have many options to make some tasks simpler and streamline our day-to-day processes, both at home and at work. So when you have the option to use virtual staging, why not choose it over physical staging?

What is Virtual Staging?

Virtual staging is the process many real estate photography companies use to essentially edit your images to include furniture and other accessories in the rooms. Up until about 7-10 years ago, virtual staging wasn't allowed by many MLS providers, as it was seen as a way to manipulate images and misrepresent the property.

It has since become standard practice in Houston real estate and in many other markets. So when you are looking to buy a home in Houston, you might be looking at images that have digital couches, beds and other elements.

Why Choose Physical Staging Over Virtual Staging?

While virtual staging has its benefits, and is preferable to not staging a home at all, it has its drawbacks. For one, to the trained or discerning eye, the rooms tend to look very digitally generated. In fact, a study performed by the National Association of Realtors showed that 62% of participants could tell whether a room had been virtually staged in a photo. Of this 62%, a further 80% stated they would be less likely to purchase a home that had been virtually staged.

Another element where physical staging is superior to virtual staging is the open house or home showing. When you decide to hold an open house or have showings scheduled for your home, you can almost be certain that your potential buyers have looked over your listing on Zillow or another site. So when they arrive to your home, if it looks markedly different than it did in the photos, you may end up losing the initial selling point of your home for these buyers.

Why Might Virtual Staging Be a Good Option?

In some cases, virtual staging does have some advantages. For real estate agents, it does cut down on the cost of staging the home. Virtual staging is an add-on from photography companies, and they usually only charge an additional 20-30% for virtual staging services. Physical staging is usually a bit more expensive.

Another advantage virtual staging is that it is excellent for sellers who have moved from the home, or for those who are selling from a distance, especially if you have decided to sell your home by owner.

Whether you are selling your home yourself, or you are an agent, you should never NOT stage a home, and choosing between virtual and physical staging needs to be done with your best interests in mind.

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