Virtual home staging exploded in popularity, thanks in part to pandemic lockdowns. They’re likely here to stay, which can give Buyers easier access to a home they’re interested in. However, it’s important for you to help them understand what they’re looking at when they view a virtual staging. Here are a few things to help your Buyers watch for in virtual home staging.
Objects on the screen may be duller than they appear
Virtual staging goes beyond using professional lighting and photographs. It’s common for virtual staging photos to use Photoshop to make walls and interiors look much brighter and cleaner than they may really be.
In-person staging gussies up a home too, but virtual staging gives much more leeway to the stager. If you’re unsure about whether a home looks too bright, don’t be shy about walking through it yourself, if possible. This can give you a sense for which virtual stagers go too far in touching up a home and help your clients avoid misleading listings.
Poor staging can turn Buyers off
This is more of a concern that you need to help your Buyers avoid from the outset. Some virtual stagings don’t use professional stagers to create the virtual staging. That can cause furniture to look out of place or unrealistic. Worse still, poorly cropped and edited virtual stagings can make the home look like the set of a bad video game.
Be honest and upfront with your Buyers if you suspect a virtual staging looks unrealistic. Your clients may be tempted to overlook such issues in the heat of the buying process. Steering them away from unrealistic virtual stagings can prevent disappointment, build trust, and protect your reputation.
Virtual staging can cover up major flaws
The biggest drawback of virtual staging for Buyers is that it can cover up major flaws with the home. That can create unrealistic expectations for Buyers, especially if they’re looking for a home that’s as close to move-in-ready as possible.
If a virtually staged showing is too different from how the house actually looks and feels, Buyers may feel deceived. Since building trust is crucial to your success, you should remind your Buyers that it’s still important for them to get an in-person feel for the home, if at all possible.
A virtual staging isn’t a replacement for an inspection
It’s important to remind your Buyers that a virtual staging isn’t a replacement for an inspection. Market conditions have tempted many Buyers into forgoing inspections as a way to make their offer more appealing. And if a virtual tour looks great, your Buyers may feel the same temptation.
Be sure that you explain the consequences of waiving inspections to your clients, especially if they fall in love with a virtually staged home. With 64% of millennials reporting that they regretted something about buying their house, it’s critical that you position them not to act rashly.
Set the stage for success with a home warranty from 2-10 HBW
Houses are flying off the market, and Buyers are often paying well above asking price. That means you need to stay as focused as possible on setting yourself and your clients up for success.
A home warranty from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW) can set the stage for success for you and your Buyers.
When you provide a home warranty from 2-10 HBW, you can delegate major breakdowns to us, including HVAC issues. That gives you more time to focus on your next deal while giving your clients an industry-leading solution.
For Buyers—especially those paying well over asking price—a solution to major breakdowns is invaluable. It gives them peace of mind that if something goes wrong so soon after their down payment, they have a cost-effective solution. And it shows that you’re supporting them after the sale, which builds trust (without requiring YOU to solve the problem for them).
2-10 HBW offers comprehensive systems and appliances home warranties to help protect your clients from unexpected repair and replacement costs. Contact us to learn more.
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