Virtual vs Physical Staging

Which should you choose for your home?
If you are thinking about selling your home, you’ve probably heard of virtual home staging or maybe you have considered using it for your property. If you have ever browsed for houses online, you have most definitely seen examples of virtually staged homes, at times without even realizing it. So, what is virtual staging?

Virtual staging is home staging that is done by a graphic designer, for the sole purpose of showcasing the home online. The home is furnished digitally and not physically, as is the case with traditional home staging.

Virtual home staging is popular for one main reason: it is a small fraction of the “cost” compared to physical staging. But does that mean it is a good option for you and your property? Keep reading to learn the top 4 reasons you should think twice about virtual staging.

VIRTUAL STAGING HAS A LOW RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Physical home staging is not a cost, it is a worthwhile investment that can provide massive returns when done properly and professionally. If the price of virtual vs physical staging is your main concern, consider this… The average physical home staging is an investment between 1-3% of the listing price. Research shows that staged properties can sell between 6%-20%+ over the listing price. If you invest 1% of your listing price, and your home sells for 6% over the listing price, you just made a 600% return on investment. Virtual home staging just does not have the same results and proven return on investment. If the initial cost is extremely low, you can expect that your return will be too.

VIRTUAL STAGING CAN CONFUSE BUYERS

Virtual staging can be done so well that buyers online might not even be able to tell that there is not real furniture in the property. But when they get inside, they will immediately know where creative liberties were taken with the design. It is very easy to “cheat” and plop in any size furniture in any arrangement when staging virtually, but this is impossible in physically staging. With physically staging, buyers see exactly what they are getting. They can make an accurate assumption of the size of the rooms, what the layout allows and how their own belongings might work within the home. This is true whether they are seeing the staging in-person, or photographs of the physical staging online. The same can not be said for virtually staging. Often, buyers will enter a home that they saw virtually staged online and will be surprised and confused about the size of the space. This will create a disconnect between what they envisioned online and the reality in front of them, and they will immediately form a negative opinion of the home.

VIRTUAL STAGING IS THE SAME AS SELLING A VACANT HOME

Virtual staging works well to attract buyers online and get them into the door, but once they are inside the home, now what? You are right back to square one, selling a vacant property. We know selling a vacant home is extremely difficult, for many reasons. When you sell a vacant home, you are giving the buyer a blank canvas to analyze every negative detail of the home, and they will. There is nothing there to improve their perception of the property. Selling a vacant home always leaves money on the table.

VIRTUAL STAGING DOES NOT SELL A LIFESTYLE

Home buyers do not just buy a house, they buy a home, a lifestyle. When buyers see a virtually staged home online, they begin to form their vision of that lifestyle, in anticipation of seeing the home in person. When they finally get there, they are met with a big empty space. There is no lifestyle being sold in an empty home. Buyers need to feel an emotional connection to your property when they look online and especially when they get inside of your home. Virtual staging might get buyers into the house, but it will not sell your property. Physical staging will provide beautiful photographs to be used online that will get buyers into the home, and once they are there, they will be met with a staging that matches or exceeds their expectations. Physical staging creates an emotional connection to your buyer that will sell your home.

You may be wondering if virtual staging can be beneficial and if so, in what situations? We believe virtual staging is very beneficial for new construction, only before it is complete, or in situations where the property condition may not be great and there is little to no budget for staging or improvements, like in certain foreclosures.

We recommend physical staging in almost all other situations if you want the best marketing strategy and to get the absolute most from your home sale.

Contact us today for a free staging quote.