Virtual staging is now more widely used than ever before. Is this, however, a deception or a visualization tool? Have you ever seen listings that appear fully furnished online and, in the photos, but when you arrive at the home, it is completely empty? That is called Virtual Staging. Sellers love virtual staging because it can show off the home’s potential for a fraction of the cost of actual staging, but buyers think it’s deceptive because an empty home falls far short of their expectations when they arrive.

While it is true that it is less expensive than staging, it is not always the best option, but it can be in some cases. Here are the top three scenarios in which Virtual Staging is used.

1. The property is difficult to access

2. The property is under construction or unfinished, making actual staging impossible

3. In addition to actual staging, virtual staging is used to demonstrate alternative uses for space or expansion possibilities

Aside from those reasons, virtual staging may backfire and negatively impact the buyer’s perception of the home’s value. But if you must, here are the top three virtual staging Do’s.

1. Honesty should always be a non-negotiable element of your real estate marketing. Keep walls, floors, and built-in fixtures the same as actual in the virtual staging- that way buyers are not mislead

2. Do disclose to buyers and agents that the home has been virtually staged so they can caliber their expectations to walk into a vacant home. In fact, including the both the vacant photos and the virtually staged ones are crucial to proper representation

3. Make sure the virtual staging is properly scaled to reflect the actual space of a room rather than making things appear bigger than they are.

Good virtual staging will tell the purchaser what the function of the room is without taking the focus off the property or altering the property in any way shape or form. Virtual staging is just a marketing tool to help buyers visualize the potential use or look or space. If actual staging is possible it continues to be the most powerful way to affect buyers’ perception of value- so don’t skip actual staging unless you can’t stage, just to save a few bucks I know it’s tempting. My dad always taught me not to step over dollars to chase pennies.

If you are looking at the option of selling a home in the San Francisco or Peninsula in the near future, please reach out to us.