81% of sellers opt for virtual staging to attract buyers. That’s not it! 48% of agents confirm that virtually staged homes sell fast. Given that homes are spending 41 days on the market, a digital home upgrade is all you need!
Besides this, virtual staging helps you attract more buyers and get competitive offers. You can also opt for a Flat Fee MLS service to get maximum property exposure.
What Is Virtual Staging?
Virtual staging is the process of editing photos of your home to make it more appealing to buyers. With virtual staging, you can digitally remove or add furniture, redo the interior design and finish the incomplete spaces.
Digital staging also allows you to recreate your home’s blueprint and furnish it. This helps buyers understand the dimensions of the house. An interesting feature of virtual staging is that it allows buyers to take a virtual tour of your home.
What Is AI Staging?
AI staging is the process of editing your property pictures using artificial intelligence. To get started with AI-staging, you have to upload a photo and enter your prompt. Here’s a sample prompt:
“Place a queen-sized bed and make it look cozy. Place bedside tables with table lamps on them. The rug under the bed should match the setting. Place a dresser on one wall with a large mirror above it.”
Is Virtual Staging Legal?
Yes, virtual staging is legal. Most Multiple Listing Services allow virtual staging. 58% of the Realtors associated with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) agree that virtual staging impacts the buyers’ perspective.
Nevertheless, virtually staged homes need to be watermarked accordingly. To know whether the MLS you are listing on allows virtually staged photos, you must check it with your local MLS for specific rules and guidelines.
How to Virtually Stage Your Home?
When you sell your house, the quality of your property photos can make or mar the experience. Follow these tips for a successful digital staging:
- Declutter and Depersonalize: You must clear the space and remove all the personal items for a better editing experience.
- Measure the room: Mention every room’s dimensions when you replicate your home’s floor plan. The wrong square footage details can impact your home’s price.
- Take high-quality photos: Click the photos yourself or hire a real estate photographer near you. Capture the same room from different angles.
- Choose your app/software: Understand different features of apps and choose the one you want to work on.
- Edit and Create: Edit the photos and experiment with different design options. Replicate your property’s floor plan to give buyers an overview of your house.
- Upload the photos and floor plan: List your home on the MLS and add your edited photos and floor plan.
Do’s and Don’ts of Virtual Staging
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Mention that the photo is virtually staged. | Add structures that don’t exist. |
| Ensure that the dimensions are accurate. | Hide the defects in your home. |
| Keep the interior design realistic. | Present an overly renovated photo of your house. |
| Use royalty-free objects to stage your home. | Use copyrighted items in your staging. |
| Consult your real estate agent before you list your home on the MLS. | Ignore the guidelines of the MLS your property will be listed on. |
3 Best Virtual Staging Apps
Virtual staging apps are primarily used for virtual interior designing. Most such apps offer augmented reality (AR) features that virtually improve the real world using computer-generated visuals.
1. Houzz
Houzz is an interior design simulator app that you can use for free (or purchase its paid add-ons). You can switch on your phone camera, access the app’s product library and place new interiors in the room. You can view rooms from a 3D perspective too!
2. MagicPlan
With the MagicPlan app, you can create a virtual blueprint of your home. Additionally, you can virtually paint the walls, add furniture to spaces and get a 360° panoramic view of the room. Nevertheless, make sure that the measurements taken by the app are accurate.
3. Housecraft
The Housecraft app allows you to experiment with different furniture options. Interior decoration becomes simpler with this app. You can upload photos of your rooms and add furniture to them. The app is known for the accurate measurements it takes.
Comparison of Features
Here are the features of 3 best virtual staging apps:
| Feature | Houzz | Magicplan | Housecraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Photo Upload | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Furniture Placement | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Augmented Reality | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Virtual Blueprint | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto Room Measurements | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Virtual Renovation | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 3D View | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Virtual Tour | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
3 Best Virtual Staging Software/Websites
Here are three room staging simulator software and websites that you can use to upgrade your home:
1. Planner 5D
Planner 5D offers AI features to furnish your room in multiple ways. You only have to upload a picture of your semi/fully furnished room. You can use Planner 5D for free or purchase the paid add-ons for additional furniture options and extra features.
2. Homestyler 3D
Homestyler 3D is free software (with paid add-ons) that helps you recreate your floor plan and furnish rooms. You can download realistic photos and videos of the staged rooms. Moreover, buyers can have a 3D look at your staged property.
3. Roomstyler 3D
Roomstyler 3D helps you replicate your room design by adding doors, windows and furniture. Furthermore, you can experiment with various wall paints and floorings. You can either use Roomstyler 3D for free or pay for an upgrade.
Comparison of Features
Here are the features of 3 best virtual staging software programs:
| Feature | Planner 5D | Homestyler 3D | Roomstyler 3D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo Enhancement | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Furniture Placement | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Virtual Renovation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Interactive Virtual Tours | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Conversion from Blueprint to 3D Model | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
3 Best Virtual Staging Companies
Some companies offer virtual staging services that are different from traditional home staging companies. Virtual staging costs can range between $20 to $100 per photo. This depends on the company and service you choose.
Here are 3 best home staging companies you could get in touch with:
1. BoxBrownie
BoxBrownie is a popular virtual real estate staging service company. You are supposed to choose a plan and upload the photos. The experts at BoxBrownie edit the staged photos of your home as per your request and send them back within 48 hours.
2. Styldod
Styldod offers digital staging services wherein you choose a plan and place an order. Once you upload the photos, you generally receive professionally edited photos within 48 hours.
3. PadStyler
PadStyler helps in virtual staging by redecorating your home. You can choose from hundreds of design choices to elevate the property’s appearance. If you order in bulk, you could avail discounts too.
Comparison of Features
Here are the features of 3 best virtual staging companies:
| Feature | BoxBrownie | Styldod | PadStyler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo Enhancement | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Furniture Placement | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Virtual Renovation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Decluttering and Virtual Cleaning | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Interactive Virtual Tours | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Should You Opt for Virtual Home Staging?
Yes, you can choose virtual staging as it helps you sell your home fast. Also, it can be a good option if you want to save time and cut on staging costs. Nevertheless, you can choose to do your home staging yourself or hire a service.
In addition, you can attract buyers through virtual staging. This is why you must not compromise on the quality of photos you use when you list your home on the MLS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do virtual staging myself?
Yes, you can do the virtual staging yourself. You simply need to do a little research on the software or apps available and choose the one that would help you the best. You can watch video tutorials to understand how to how to virtually stage a home.
Is virtual staging legal?
Yes, virtual staging is legal. Nevertheless, there is a list of do's and don'ts that you must follow so that your staging is not unethical in any way.
How much does virtual staging cost?
Virtual staging costs can vary between $20 to $100. It depends on the company you choose and the service you opt for. However, if you choose to do virtual staging yourself, you could save on these charges too.
What is better - a virtual staging app or software?
Virtual staging apps as well as software work well for you. Virtual staging apps are generally more user-friendly, offer simple features and can be used by inexperienced users. Virtual staging software programs are slightly complicated to use, offers complex features and is generally used by professionals.
