What Is Virtual Staging? What New Home Buyers Need to Know

Technology has changed the real estate industry in numerous ways over the past few years, giving new home buyers access to tools that make the process easier, more efficient, and more affordable than ever before. One digital trend that’s recently taken off is virtual staging. But what exactly is virtual staging, and how does it impact your home-buying journey? Let’s dive in.

What Does “Virtual Staging” Involve?

Virtual staging is the process of digitally furnishing and decorating empty rooms in real estate listings. Using specialized software, designers can add furniture, and decor, and even change wall colors or flooring to showcase a property’s potential. This technique allows buyers to visualize how a space could look when furnished, without the seller having to invest in physical staging.

How Virtual Staging Affects Prospective Buyers

Virtual staging isn’t just a tool for sellers. It also has a big impact on borrowers and their homebuying experience. For new home buyers, understanding virtual staging is crucial for several reasons:

Visualization: Virtual staging helps you imagine the potential of a space, especially if you’re struggling to picture how your furniture might fit or how to utilize awkward areas.
Cost-effective: It’s typically cheaper than traditional staging, which can benefit buyers by potentially keeping the listing price lower.
Flexibility: Multiple design styles can be showcased for the same space, allowing you to see various possibilities.
Spotting real features: It’s important to distinguish between virtually added elements and the property’s actual features. Pay attention to the unedited photos to get a true sense of the space.
Expectations management: Remember that the actual property will be empty unless otherwise stated. Don’t let virtual staging create unrealistic expectations.
Proportions and scale: Well-done virtual staging can give you a good idea of how furniture fits in a room, helping you plan for the future.

Tips for Viewing Virtually Staged Listings

When viewing virtually staged listings, we recommend keeping the following suggestions in mind:

Consider asking for unstaged photos as well
Use virtually staged images as inspiration but rely on actual room measurements for planning
Visit the property in person whenever possible to get a true feel for the space

A Word of Advice

Virtual staging is a powerful tool that can help you see the potential of a property. However, as a buyer, it’s crucial to look beyond the pretty pictures and focus on the actual condition of the home. Use virtual staging as one of many tools in your home-buying process, but don’t let it be the deciding factor.