Home Decorating Buying and Selling Homes

What do you think about virtual staging?

5 years ago

I've noticed a fair number of homes for sale that are virtually staged -- empty properties that have had digital furniture and decor added. I can see how it would be attractive to the seller, because the photos will look better than an empty space, and it's much easier than staging with actual items. As I buyer, I think it makes the photos look a little "off" sometimes, but still better for me than an empty space.

What do you think? Do you think a virtually staged home is OK when looking at real estate listings, or would you rather see it empty?

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Comments (6)

aprilneverends
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I saw many listings that would show both empty and staged, or as they are now-and digitally" updated", so one can see both.

I think it might be helpful for many.

I myself am okay with either way, as long as there are pictures. People here are usually very good with pictures.

Which can't be said for some other markets-I bought an apartment abroad last year. and they'd have 5-6 pics very often, and half of them would show some mural in kids' bedroom, somehow omitting bathroom. Makes one want to to scream "where is the toilet??"

The market is so hot many don't even bother with putting more pictures, or professional pictures, or decluttering a bit.

I here got so used to seeing nice pictures that actually do give one an idea of te house -not seeing the restroom would be usually a sign the house must be gutted anyway.

So i have a new appreciation for whatever pictures as long as they actually show the place in question.
outpaientzero
5 years ago
I noticed they sometimes alter the size of furniture to give an illusion a room is bigger than it really is. People can see for themselves and if it gets showings no harm is done.
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homechef59
5 years ago
Some of this is a response to COVID. In other cases, dated furniture was removed in order to create an illusion of cleanliness. People are famous for showing a real lack of imagination. By placing furniture in strategic places, buyers can imagine how things might be arranged.

I've never been bothered viewing an empty house. But, some people find it to be a sign of desperation. With COVID, agents are advising seller's to remove everything so that the property appears easy to show without complications.
K R
5 years ago
I can always tell it’s virtually staged and it looks odd. I prefer the pics to be real furniture.
mtvhike
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I have bought 6 houses in various parts of the country; none of them were staged. And I think all were empty when I viewed them.
maifleur03
5 years ago
When we were looking I preferred the empty ones because the right size furniture can make a small room look bigger or larger. It also allowed me to see the things like all of the floors and woodwork. Easy to place a honking big chair or rug over a bad place.