Is Virtual Staging Right for You?

Virtual staging is a cost-effective, simplified way to promote your home and get prepared to relocate.

If you’re preparing to list your Westport, CT, home for sale, you can plan on having a long list of tasks to be completed. This list will include pricing competitively (via comparative market analysis), decluttering, deep cleaning, and choosing an experienced Westport real estate agent to help you during the selling process. And perhaps one of the best—and easiest—ways to increase your chances of a successful sale is to stage your Westport home prior to listing.

While having your home professionally staged is the best way to sell it quickly and for top dollar, some sellers don’t want to go through the costly process of enlisting a staging professional and opt to do it themselves. However, there’s another option for those who plan to primarily market their homes online.

Virtual staging can be an excellent tool for cutting costs and targeting online buyers when selling your home.

What is virtual staging?

Virtual staging uses photo editing software to “plugin” digital decor and furniture into the rooms of your Westport home. First, a photographer will take photos of each bare room in your home, and a virtual staging expert will then manipulate those images by adding or removing furnishings or decor to create the ideal layout.

Pros of virtual staging

Virtual staging is less expensive than professional staging and creates no need to move furniture upon making a successful sale. While a professional stager will charge an average of $2,000 to $2,400 per month to stage a 2,000-square-foot home, virtual staging will only cost $39-199 per room, depending on the company you decide to work with.

Overall, virtual staging is also less disruptive for you and your family, as you won’t have to worry about anyone being on-site. Virtual staging also helps show Westport homes off to their full potential and is much more versatile than traditional staging. Rooms can be staged in several ways to provide options for buyers and help them visualize themselves living in the spaces. Virtual staging is also much faster than traditional staging and can be completed in just a few hours.

Virtual staging can attract those who are looking for houses in Westport online and encourage them to book a showing. When they see it in person, they will get to see a pristine palette to imagine filling it up with their own decor and furniture.

Is virtual staging right for you?

Though virtual staging of houses in Westport has plenty of benefits, it’s not right for everyone. Before you decide whether to hire a company to virtually stage your home, consider the following:

Do you plan to market your home primarily online?

Virtual staging is ideal for the seller who is planning to create a robust online marketing strategy to sell their property. The virtual staging images can be used on landing pages, in social media ads, and in Google or retargeting ads to attract the attention of buyers and encourage them to either make an offer sight unseen or book a showing of your home.

How strict is your budget?

As previously mentioned, virtual staging of Westport homes is less expensive than traditional staging. If you are trying to stick to a slim budget when selling your home, you may want to opt for virtual staging.

Is your home vacant?

Those who have already moved out of their houses in Westport and left them empty will likely have an expensive staging process, as a stager will need to bring in all new furnishings to get the job done. This could be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. If you have already vacated your home, you have created a blank canvas that’s perfect for virtual staging.

Is it a turnkey property or a fixer-upper?

Though most buyers want Westport homes that are move-in ready, there will still be those who want a fixer-upper. If your home is in major need of repairs, but you plan to sell it as-is, virtually staging it can help buyers see what it could look like after renovation. Of course, in this case, your Westport real estate agent will have to fully disclose to them the current shape of your home and explain that the virtual staging images are only examples of what the finished product could look like.

How to find a virtual staging professional

Just as traditional stagers have varying levels of skill and expertise, so do those who specialize in virtual staging. It’s crucial you choose a professional company that will create realistic images that are appealing to your ideal buyers. One of the best ways to find a company like this is to ask your Westport real estate agent for referrals.

The importance of working with a Westport real estate agent

If you choose virtual staging for your Westport home for sale, it’s crucial that you work with an experienced Westport real estate agent who has experience with digital marketing. Not only will an experienced agent refer you to a reliable virtual staging company, but they will also be able to explain to prospective buyers how the online version of your home will differ from the in-person version and what they can expect when booking a showing. A good agent can help you maximize the virtual staging process without running the risk of buyers being upset when they actually set foot in your home.

Are you preparing to list your Westport home for sale?

Though it’s not right for everyone, virtual staging can be a useful selling tool for those who plan to market Westport homes for sale online and who want to ensure buyers can visualize all the possibilities of the living space. If you’re ready to start staging and selling your home, reach out to trusted Westport real estate agent Julie Walsh for expert guidance through the entire process.