Selling a home can be an exhausting experience for your clients.
But, with modern technology and 87% of staged homes selling faster than homes which aren't staged, it needn't be.
We've got the best virtual staging solutions to help you sell properties faster and increase customer satisfaction.
What is Virtual Staging?
There are millions of empty properties sitting across the US. According to the World Property Journal, there were 1.5 million as of 2019.
It can be especially tough to sell an empty home, and your client may ask for staging. Traditionally this involves finding, renting, and bringing furnishings into the property. You need to make it look like it could be in the pages of a glossy magazine.
In the digital age, there are tools at your disposal which will make this job cheaper, easier, and provide even better results than actually physically staging the home.
A photographer will make a single visit to your client's home. Then the rest of the work can be completed without taking any more of your client's valuable time.
The photographs can be virtually populated with new decor and furniture. This modernizes the space and makes it picture-perfect down to the last tiny detail.
Why Virtually Stage?
Online virtual staging is quicker, cheaper, and achieves better results. It will attract more potential buyers and boost your real estate sales.
An empty home doesn't look very appealing to a buyer that might be browsing online. This means they will probably skip past the listing.
Buyers find it hard to see themselves in a property that isn't lived in, it can feel empty and lifeless.
With a few simple clicks, you can change and update tired or dated decor and insert furniture which perfectly fits the space and utilizes the room.
The Current Corona Situation
By virtually staging a property, you're making it look it's best from the comfort of the buyers home. In the current Covid-19 climate that's an even bigger bonus than before.
Buyers and sellers are understandably concerned about being in other people's homes or having strangers in their property. Open houses and property viewings are being canceled across the country.
The digital age means that people are using the internet and technology more and more, for everything they do. This includes looking for homes, and the trend has only sped up due to Covid-19.
So what can you do? You can sell homes with the help of virtual home staging companies. 92% of buyers already start their search for a new property online. Your clients will be impressed that you are standing out amongst the crowd with innovative technologies and solutions.
Millennial Appeal
Millennials are the largest generation in the US, and they are looking to purchase homes right now. It's estimated that an incredible 50% of home buyers are millennials, with 4.8 million of them turning 30 this year.
There are approximately 80 million millennials in the world, which means there are still millions left who will be looking to buy their first homes in the next 10 years.
Millennials are arguably the first tech-savvy generation, growing up during a huge boom in technology, the digital age, and the internet. That means things like virtual home viewings are right up their alley.
For even more advice on appealing to this huge market, we've put together some tips on how to market to millennial homebuyers. From staying trendy to YouTube strategies, there's sure to be something new you can do.
Costs and Commission
Physically staging a home can cost up to and even above $6000 while virtual staging can cost as little as $55 per picture.
With buyers spending more time looking at pictures than reading descriptions, it makes sense that quality photographs sell a property quicker and for more money.
That means there is even more commission to be made for you.
Our Virtual Staging Solutions
We offer a range of services to help you with your virtual staging. From virtual reality to calculating commission, we can help you every step of the way.
3D Virtual Walkthroughs
Why only manage one open house at a time, when you could have 3D interactive walkthroughs available to buyers 24/7 for multiple properties?
An interactive walkthrough puts the buyer in control, they can take as much time as they like and it doesn't tie you up at all.
Property From Every Perspective
We offer aerial photography and video to give buyers a view of potential properties from every perspective.
Homes with aerial video sell faster than homes with standard photos, and sellers are more likely to list with a realtor that can offer them video services.
Virtual Reality
We also provide an app for potential buyers. They can save searches and get notified as soon as a property they may be interested in gets posted.
We even have a virtual reality feature. So if a buyer has a VR headset, they can pop their cell phone inside and take 3D tours to the next level. Viewing a home in virtual reality really is as close to being there as you can get.
Commission Calculator
We have a Commission Calculator to help you see the difference virtual staging could make to you. Using data from clients using our Hommati Platinum Packages we can give you an idea of the additional commission and added value virtual staging could offer.
Everything Else!
As well as all these incredible features, we obviously do everything else you would need and expect.
Our comprehensive range of services include:
- Floor plans with measurements
- Sign placement and removal services
- Lockbox placement and removal services
- Door hanger services
- Free automated brochure creation
- Quick turn around times
We also have a fantastic blog, with even more tips and tricks, including the best tools to help you with virtual home staging.
Tips for Your Virtual Staging
As with most things, you'll only see the benefits of virtual staging real estate if you do it right. We've got the following pointers to get you started.
Best Rooms to Virtually Stage
The kitchen is said to be the heart of the home. With 3 meals a day and snacks and drinks in between, everyone in the household visits this room frequently throughout the day.
It provides food for the body as well as the mind and soul of the family unit, as oftentimes you'll eat here too.
Buyers will want to see it's big enough to meet their needs and if it can be modern enough to meet their expectations.
The living room is also important. It's where most of the living is done, hence the name! This is where the family will spend time together, playing games, watching tv, and opening presents on special occasions.
The living room is where memories are made, and buyers will want to imagine their families here.
The master bedroom is the next most important space. The buyers will likely be taking this room for themselves. They want to know it will feel cozy and inviting after a long day and fresh and inspiring when they wake up.
Appeal to the Market
Don't forget everything you know about selling property just because you are utilizing online virtual staging. You still need to know the appropriate market and appeal to it.
If there is a high demand for family homes in the area, make the property ideal for a family. If it's an area populated with young professionals and no kids, consider making the spare room an office or a home gym rather than a nursery.
Keep it Neutral
When redecorating is so quick, it can be easy to get carried away. Stick to what you know, neutral colors and decor help to depersonalize a space from its current owner.
Potential buyers can visualize their own styles and preferences much easier with neutral colors and neutral walls.
Don't Fight With the Property
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Try to avoid staging a period property with clashing modern or minimalistic furnishing and vice versa for modern homes.
Use All the Old Tricks
Add the illusion of height with curtain rails, and be creative with lighting.
Utilize mirrors, artwork, and plants to draw the eye away from any architectural flaws in the property.
So Why Aren't You Virtually Staging?
With so many virtual staging solutions and the clear benefits of using them, there shouldn't be anything stopping you from trying it yourself.
You can sign up on our site for free and view some existing properties using the great services on offer.
You can also contact us on our website or through social media to find out more and let us help you with your virtual staging real estate needs.