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One of the effects of the post-pandemic world is the transition from physical staging to virtually showing homes and properties in real estate. Every agent now uses this service as a standard in their real estate marketing efforts to showcase attractive properties to potential buyers. With the advancements in virtual staging software, AI, and innovative tools, virtual staging is faster, cheaper, and more plausible.
Whether it is virtual home staging for listings with empty rooms or AI virtual staging for an increased sense of realism, virtual staging has been used quite effectively to grab the interest of buyers. This article looks at how virtual staging can enhance sales substantially in this area.
Why is Virtual Staging Important in Real Estate?
Sarah, a dedicated real estate professional in Seattle, faced the challenge of selling a vacant downtown condo. She completely transformed the empty space into a stylish, contemporary home office that appealed to the preferences of young technology professionals by using virtual staging. The results were astounding, as she received multiple lucrative offers within a mere two-week timeframe.
On average, a property typically takes 130 days to sell without home staging. However, the implementation of home staging techniques can drastically reduce this selling time to just 35 days. Ninety-six percent of real estate agents acknowledge the positive impact that home staging can have on influencing a buyer’s decision.
Virtual staging offers agents and sellers a state-of-the-art technique to exhibit properties to prospective buyers faster and with reduced cost and effort compared to actual physical staging. In a period where listing with staging has been coined as a key marketing tool for standing a good chance of gaining positive viewer response, reports indicate listings equipped with virtual home staging have surpassed those without.
The National Association of Realtors reports that, of the buyers’ agents surveyed, 81% feel that staging enables buyers to visualize the property as their future home. It also goes easy on the environment, helps them save overhead costs, and ensures flexibility when catering to changing buyer preferences.
Additionally, agents can recreate a virtual environment using AI-powered “virtual staging for real estate.” It can transform spaces like vacant rooms into homes needing modern touches by helping buyers to visually imagine and visualize how these places could be transformed without moving actual furniture. How? It supports agents and buyers alike by providing optimized, photo-realistic images that will bring out a property’s potential.
Virtual Staging Techniques for Boosting Sales
Modern-day virtual staging techniques can present properties in an attractive way that will help agents close deals faster. They encompass a wide range of dynamic options depending on the type of real estate listing. We outline a few common techniques below, along with related examples, to enhance sales:
#1 Customization with Virtual Staging AI for Enhanced Aesthetics
AI-driven virtual staging software truly customizes to the next level in terms of aesthetics. Any AI virtual staging software can apply the staging process in complete alignment with the tastes of a potential buyer. AI algorithms identify different features a buyer prefers and recommend suitable design choices that might appeal to that property’s target audience. An agent can dynamically customize a listing by incorporating elements such as shabby chic, rustic mood, or minimalist decor.
For instance, Roomy’s AI staging allows agents to produce ultra-realistic 3D renderings that modify designs based on taste. It helps potential buyers visualize their space, how to decorate it, and personalize it. This works excellently for unoccupied listings or properties that require upgrades to make them look modern and desirable.
#2 Adding Lifestyle Elements to Enhance Ambiance
Virtual house staging can incorporate lifestyle elements beyond furniture to infuse the space with a sense of life. It means embellishing the property with decorative elements like books, plants, rugs, and art to make it feel lived-in and welcoming. For instance, luxury apartment staging and adding some tasteful furniture and stylish lights can increase the appeal of the property considerably.
There are companies that specialize in creating these living-in-style effects for real estate. They ensure your virtual staging is realistic in every way by accounting for shadows, lighting, viewing angles, and other factors. This ensures that the property appears more appealing to potential buyers.
#3 Allowing for Interactive 3D Virtual Tours
The demand for real estate virtual tours saw a remarkable surge, increasing by 750% in the month following the implementation of national lockdowns in the United States. The most exciting feature of modern virtual staging for real estate is this introduction of 3D virtual tours. Programs paired with virtual staging software give buyers the chance to explore each room virtually, inspecting decor and visualizing themselves in the space.
The length of time clients devote to the tour directly correlates with the strength of their emotional bond with the property. Such 3D tours increase engagement and keep buyers on the listing page longer. It also heightens their familiarity and interest in the property.
The ability for buyers to interact with properties and view every aspect through virtual room tours plays a crucial role in virtual staging for real estate properties. Real estate listings featuring virtual home tours experience an 87% increase in views. Additionally, prospective buyers tend to spend 5–10 times more time on websites that offer virtual tours than those without this feature.
#4 AI for Speed and Accuracy
Recent research indicates that the integration of AI has the potential to significantly reduce the number of working hours for employees by approximately 390 hours per year.
Virtual-staging AI tools streamline the staging process by facilitating the application of customized design elements, thereby simplifying the process of scaling. AI-based software automates such functions as color-matching, shadow placement, and scaling, allowing the new elements to blend perfectly with the real surroundings.
This tool also enables realtors and agents to provide quick visual updates based on market feedback, seasonal decor trends, or property updates. Therefore, realtors using AI virtual staging can maximize the impact of their listings with less time, effort, and cost. Traditional staging typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000 per room, while virtual staging offers a significantly more affordable alternative at a fraction of the cost.
#5 Customize Design to Suit the Target Buyer Demographics
In a suburban Chicago neighborhood, an agent targeting first-time homebuyers virtually staged a starter home with minimalist, functional designs. By showcasing a home office, compact living areas, and smart storage solutions, she appealed directly to young professionals seeking their first property.
The flexibility of virtual home staging is an advantage. You can adjust design choices to suit various buyer categories. Agents can provide minimalistic styles aimed at enticing younger professionals or first-time homebuyers who adore modern, uncluttered spaces.
For their high-end listings, they can incorporate luxury and classic elements, furniture, and accessories to create an atmosphere of lavishness and comfort.
Additionally, they can emphasize larger, functional spaces with warm designs to attract families who are after coziness and convenience. Agents must understand their target market first, so they can optimize the virtual staging of properties, create a stronger connection with buyers, and increase the chance of selling.
How We Can Help
North South Tech builds the virtual staging tools real estate professionals need right now. We watched the market evolve from physical staging to virtual solutions, and we developed our AI-powered solution to meet this moment. Our virtual staging solutions transform empty properties into compelling spaces that speak to today’s buyers, whether they’re young professionals seeking sleek home offices or families dreaming of cozy living rooms.
For a fraction of traditional staging costs, real estate agents get to have multiple design variations that match different buyer preferences. Our service caters for everything from shadow placement to 3D tours, letting agents focus on what matters: connecting properties with the right buyers.
Get in touch with us today and let’s help you take your business to new heights.