In the world of real estate, the art of home staging is undergoing a significant transformation. For decades, physical staging held sway as the preferred method for showcasing properties, but the rise of virtual staging is reshaping the game. This shift in the landscape prompts us to explore the intricate technological aspects that underlie these two distinct approaches to presenting homes.
The concept of home staging, pioneered by Barb Schwartz in 1972, revolutionized the real estate industry. Drawing inspiration from her background in theater, Schwartz recognized the value of presenting homes in a way that allowed potential buyers to envision themselves living there. Traditional staging involved meticulously furnishing properties, removing clutter, and highlighting architectural features. The result? Buyers could better appreciate the space and scale of the property.
Over the years, traditional staging evolved into a sophisticated profession, with trained specialists armed with an array of furnishings and decor. Sellers soon recognized the value of this service, as staged listings often sold faster and at higher prices than their non-staged counterparts. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2019 Profile of Home Staging, one-quarter of buyers' agents reported that staging increased the offer value by 1% to 5%.
With the increasing popularity of traditional staging, the expectations of clients have also risen. Stagers are now compelled to invest more time and resources into creating compelling staged rooms that outshine the competition. To remain competitive, stagers need a deep understanding of various architectural styles, trends in decor, and the specific needs of each property. As a result, staging has become a lucrative industry, with some professionals charging as much as 8% to 10% of a property's listing price.
In recent years, the real estate world has witnessed the emergence of virtual staging. Instead of physically furnishing properties, virtual staging leverages technology to map out homes and choose the most suitable furnishings digitally. This approach has gained traction for several reasons:
1. Advances in technology have led to more realistic virtual staging results, making it an increasingly attractive option.
2. Millennials, comfortable with online shopping, are driving demand for virtual staging.
3. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward online home shopping, making virtual staging a safer and more popular choice.
Virtual staging offers remarkable flexibility. It saves time and is more sustainable compared to traditional staging. Moreover, it comes at a lower cost, making it feasible for practitioners to include it in their marketing budgets. Companies specializing in virtual staging offer a wide range of design choices, allowing sellers to customize their virtual interiors to suit their target audience.
Virtual staging not only offers cost savings but also unmatched adaptability. Companies like BeyondPhotog.com offer virtual staging services for much more agreeable prices than today's traditional staging standards.
The transformation of home staging from traditional to virtual reflects the ever-evolving nature of the real estate industry. Both methods have their merits, however the accelerating rise of virtual staging is not something to let pass by, check out some of our virtual staging options! As technology continues to advance, the real estate industry is sure to see further innovations in the art of home staging.
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