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How to ensure that your listing photos will sell your home?

Are you planning to sell your property but unsure how to start and what to include? Sure enough, this alone can be challenging. Yet, with a proper understanding of how listing elements work, you can create a powerful one to attract potential buyers.

A real estate listing has many parts that contain specific details about the property, such as the building name, list date, Google street view, photos and videos, virtual reality tours schedule, floor plans, amenities, and restrictions.

Howewer, out of this information, captivating real estate images helps significantly make the listing stand out and be noticed online by buyers seeking a property to purchase.

If you wonder how real estate images become valuable assets of a listing, here are some explanations that can make you understand why.

Invest in real estate photography

A photo speaks a thousand words. This one sounds cliche, but yes, an image has many things to say than what words can do. In today’s internet age, people are not much engaged in reading anymore; instead, they prefer looking at images or illustrations. Hence, it is one reason why you must have a budget for real estate photography. Remember that you can always take photos on your own, but it will be impossible for you to nail the best images to use in the listings unless you are a pro.

Find an efficient real estate photo editor

Having the best photographer is good, but having a professional real estate photo editor is another thing. It is essential to have someone knowledgeable in editing to ensure that all the raw images are processed well during the post-production stage. Otherwise, the images are of no use in your listing.

Observe proper image composition

Another way to ensure that the images become useful assets in a listing is to note image composition at all times. Most of the time, the photographer already knows this, but you can add insights into how you want to see the image inside the frame.

Eliminate distractions

Before starting the photoshoot, make sure you declutter the area. Having unnecessary things everywhere does not give good impressions and does not highlight the home’s features. If you do not have anywhere to put your extra belongings, it is best to rent a temporary storage unit to store them while the home is for sale.

Highlight the home’s best features

If the property for sale has some renovated spaces, feature some of them on the images, and highlight the listing. Ensure that the photographer will take several pictures of these renovated areas so the editor can have options when editing the photos. It will help if you can orient the photographer ahead of time about these areas to proceed with the shoot, even without you on site.

Filter your listing photos

Remember to be selective with your listing images. The rule is simple: when it comes to listing photos, quality trumps quantity. That is why you should use only the best pictures on your listing to make sure that such a listing becomes a useful marketing tool. There is no need to include a hundred photos in a single listing because that is too overwhelming. Just make sure you have the right number of images for the kind of property you are selling.

In the end, ensuring that the listing photos are useful still depends on how it is done pre and post productions, plus the creativity and style added to the raw shots. The proper use of the edited photos should also be observed by the realtor to boost the listing’s visibility online.

October 1, 2020
How to shoot the flambient method for real estate photography?

Photographers, regardless of their niche, are aware of the varied photography techniques they should know to do their jobs well.

One of these techniques is the use of the “flambient method.” In real estate photography, techniques like high dynamic range (HDR) and flambient photography are quite useful in shooting the perfect real estate images.

In learning the “flambient” technique, it is vital first to understand its principle and how it is applied during real estate photo editing. The “flambient” method involves combining both flash and ambient light in shots. It is one of the fastest-growing techniques for shooting real estate images.

But, why shoot flambient? As you may know, there are always pros and cons to utilizing varied photography techniques. For example, shooting in ambient light yields the most natural-looking images, but often results in walls that have shifted or lost most of their color and shadow areas that are a little too dark.

On the other hand, shooting using pure flash can result in an image that looks fake, with shadows pointing towards the windows instead of away. This is when the flambient method becomes significant. It recognizes both the strengths and limitations of shooting all-flash or all ambient. It is the solution to get the best of both worlds.

If you are interested in doing flambient photography, here is a quick guide on using this technique to capture great shots that highlight the best features of homes and other properties.

Take shots thrice

The rule of thumb is to take at least three photos of the room when shooting using the flambient style.

Perfect the ambient shot

Remember not to use flash when using this technique. Just utilize the natural light coming off the room. Make sure to expose in the middle of the room, so you get a nice overall picture. Also, shoot in RAW, so you maximize the use of dynamic range later on. Here is a classic setup to follow: If you have a room with an extreme dynamic range, you should shoot a bracket of 3 images. These photos should also have 0 as the “if only” exposure, then add -2 and +2 shots to allow room to capture the shadows and highlights.

Master the flash shot

A flash shot is usually meant to get a well-exposed image. In doing this, it is better to set your flash off-camera below a lovely white ceiling pointing straight up. Try holding the camera at 18 inches to 2 feet from the top. Then, leave the flash on the camera to get the best exposure to the room.

Focus on the window shots

When you have a nice window view, you want to capture and include in your real estate listing, and it is recommended to shoot thrice specifically for the windows. Ensure enough exposure for the windows and always point a high powered flash directly at the window frames. Doing this will make the blending process during real estate photo editing significantly easy. Always experiment in shooting images at varied angles to secure a shot with at least flash reflections. You can also choose to eliminate them, but turn off your flash and shoot one without the flash. Just make sure not to adjust the camera exposure at all.

These are four useful tips in incorporating the flambient method in your real estate photography. If utilized well, this strategy can help leverage real estate listings and attract more potential buyers using professional and compelling images. Always make sure to invest in quality images for your properties by choosing a great photographer and editor at the same time.

September 25, 2020
How virtual renovation help realtors and homebuyers?

Aside from the attractive innovation on the traditional home staging method known as virtual staging, there is another useful and highly regarded technique in the real estate marketing scheme that has proven its worth over time – virtual renovation.

The idea of this method is very similar to virtual staging, except for the purpose. Technically, virtual renovation is a form of real estate photo editing that uses 3D designs to polish images with “virtual things” such as furniture and fixtures (usually done in virtual staging) inserted into the pictures. However, in the virtual renovation, it is not about how to fill a space. Instead, it is all about how future homeowners can visualize the home renovations the original owner is planning to accomplish.

This technique is a lifesaver for realtors, mainly if the property to sell needs a major revamp, but needs to have some prospective buyers already. The not-quite-real shots are meant to show the house’s potential to a buyer with a renovation budget to bring it to life. This method helps future buyers see what the property will look like finally with all the necessary changes in the yard or garage, primary room revamp, additional furniture, wall paints, etc.

Yet, how effective are virtual renovation pictures when it comes to selling? Here are some facts that support the effectiveness of inserting virtual renovation photos in an online listing.

An efficient tool for selling homes

If you are wondering if this technique is useful, the answer is a big “yes.” With home staging’s popularity, buyers now have a way to imagine what the place might look like if it is empty or if the furniture is unattractive. Then, virtual renovation takes the guesswork out of homes that need massive renovations. Even with the need for repairing some parts of the house, buyers still find them fascinating because of the value it creates after all the work is done.

Gives homebuyers time to decide and have enough budget

Adding some renovation photos in the listing allows buyers to evaluate their choices based on their capability and budget. The realtor’s job is to make them aware that a particular property needs this kind of restoration and know if they are willing to shoulder the proposed repair expenses. This paves the way for a more transparent transaction and helps the buyer make a more sound decision.

Builds realtor’s credibility and partnership

Over time, some realtors build their credibility through the way they deal with buyers. By providing renovation photos, they can clearly show that they are selling the property in good faith by not hiding any possible repairs that the buyer may have to do as soon as they become under their responsibility. Moreover, realtors and real estate photo editing companies can strengthen their existing partnership, since more trusted clients will be seeking the realtors help already.

Helps home buyers find their dream home

Sometimes, home buyers do not have enough funds to buy a brand new home. In this case, they are eyeing for an alternative option in fixer-upper houses or those properties that need repairs. Buyers on a strict budget often choose this kind of stuff because they can still save a lot of money, even with all the renovations compared to buying a new home.

In the end, doing a virtual house renovation is an enticing option for both realtors, homeowners, and prospective buyers. It benefits them in a way or two, makes house renovations easier, provides better visualization available for viewing, and is cost-effective since it does not require homeowners to spend more dime in doing the actual renovations beforehand.

September 21, 2020
5 Innovative Virtual Staging Ideas for Interior Design

Doing interior photography involves staging methods – either traditional or virtual. Regardless of the client’s choice, most photographers and real estate photo editors need ample time to check out the property and talk to the interior designer, primarily if the place will be staged using virtual home staging.

Unlike the traditional home staging setup, virtual staging needs thorough planning, especially on the editing part since this is the time where real estate photo editors insert the staging process. This means that as the editor, you should already know some of the virtual staging basics.

Virtual staging involves using computer software to alter a photograph. Most of the time, it is used in real estate images (both exterior and interior) to fill the empty spaces with appropriate furniture and fixtures.

Doing this helps clients save money and time compared to using the traditional staging method wherein real furniture is needed. This technique is proven to be a useful marketing tool, especially for those buyers who prefer online transactions. It allows them to see a realistic vision of what the room will look like furnished.

In a renovated 1920s bungalow, Phixer applied a Scandinavian-themed virtual staging—white-washed woods, warm textiles, plants—leading to a 20% increase in click-throughs compared to prior listing photos.

Here’s how Phixer’s virtual staging process for interior design works: Clients select 1–2 themes. Designers integrate furniture, color palettes, and accessories consistent with that style. The result: cohesive, stylish rooms that align with buyer expectations.

Here are five creative ideas to help you (both photographers and editors) if you are up for an interior design photo shoot that involves virtual staging.

Learn the basics

Simplified, it means making sure the room is empty, clean, and well-lit before taking any shots. There must be teamwork between the photographer and the editor to yield high-quality interior images. Having excellent photographs gives the virtual staging artists more time to edit the pictures without fixing many elements of the original photos.

Create a striking balance

Once you start editing the photos, establish a balanced design that incorporates both clean and inviting vibes. For example, most modern interior design features minimalistic aesthetics. While this can be an excellent idea for a clean, straightforward look, bear in mind that some buyers prefer a more inviting feel to the overall ambiance. They may have furniture and some possessions that need visualization, which should be one of the things you should consider.

Determine the focal point to catch everyone’s attention

Make sure to put a piece of furniture or leave a single area striking enough to catch the attention of anyone who walks in. For example, you can put a fireplace, a great window, or a beautiful couch in the room that stands out and stays noticeable right away.

Use natural lighting

One key to great virtually-staged images is the proper use of lighting. Most of the time, natural lighting is the most common way to achieve perfect pictures. Yet, using studio lighting is acceptable, especially if natural lighting is unavailable.

Use a neutral background

Setting a neutral color foundation creates an emotional tone. Using this hue for the environment is perfect as it blends with other color highlights within the room. Moreover, it sets a calm and inviting tone to each room that you stage. The neutral palette stands out when you use splashes of color. In return, it excites and enthuses prospective buyers. For example, you can add the accents on the cushions, rugs, flowers, or paintings. The eyes easily distinguish these things inside the room, so it gives buyers a different perspective when it comes to color matching.

In the end, there are endless when it comes to virtual staging, and the best photographers can take great shots while the skilled editors can turn the ordinary room shots into something that looks like the one in magazines. Remember to incorporate these staging ideas in your next interior design shoot to achieve those professional images.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can virtual staging reflect different interior design styles?

Absolutely. Virtual staging can simulate modern, rustic, mid-century, minimalist, or industrial styles—customized by audience taste.

Will virtual staging show accurately in print brochures?

Yes, the same staged images work perfectly for digital listings and printed marketing materials.

September 15, 2020
How to sell a property that needs renovation?
Selling a property that needs an overhaul can be complicated and intimidating, mainly when most of the listings online feature completely furnished houses. Even if you use high-quality images edited by a real estate photo retouching company for the listings, one thing is for sure: repairs can affect a sale. Say you have spent time and money renovating the house’s exterior, but the interior is still in bad shape. What will you do?

The main problem associated with repair issues is the money and factors that affect the market’s saleability. Such factors include the current trend in the real estate market, competition, and investment return.

You can spend money on fixing the home’s issues before putting it up for sale as a seller. It does not mean repairing everything; sometimes, improving what is visible to the buyers’ eyes is okay. Still, it would be best if you informed him or her about the other possible repairs.

Buyers consider the “as is” condition of a property when making a deal. The selling process becomes more difficult as the potential buyers ask for more information about the house or building. When answering their queries, it is better to be honest than lying about the property’s situation.

Things to Consider Before Doing Repairs

Weigh the cost of the proposed repairs

Smart sellers will not make reckless decisions. It is appropriate for them to weigh the cost of the renovations against the home’s market value after the upgrades are completed. The idea is that the improvements may become of no use if it cannot return the investment once the property is sold. In short, evaluate its pros and cons.

Take a tour at your neighborhood

Give time to take an afternoon off to tour other homes within the vicinity with your agent. It helps if you take down notes on the condition and amenities in these homes. Next, compare homes in the neighborhood to yours. Highlight the crucial parts of the house, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and the rooms. If most of them have upgraded these parts, you should concentrate on fixing them too. Remember that these homes are your competition, and buyers are easily attracted to a ‘ready to move-in’ home.

Consider doing minor remodeling than a complete overhaul

Sometimes, it is better to do some minor fixes to your home – may be a complete remodeling of the kitchen or the bathroom that can add value to the investment. This doesn’t mean you have to buy designer appliances and tear out the kitchen cabinets. You just need to do a minor remodel – either by redesigning the kitchen and adding some state-of-the-art facilities into it. You can also focus on the paint. Sometimes, a simple change of color in the kitchen or bathroom and installing updated hardware can give them an all-new look.

Consider the security and safety issues

Here are some home improvements worth doing, especially that these are the most common issues encountered by buyers and inspectors that could flag some safety and security issues.
- Replacing the roof
- Repairing pipes, sewer connection, or septic system
- Addressing termite, mold, or water damage
- Updating the electrical panel
- Updating the HVAC system
- Installing a new water heater
Evaluate your capability

Try considering as well your ability to do some repairs. Are you into it financially? For example, it will not be a smart choice to do the renovations if you will borrow money to accomplish it. You will end up getting debt, and if you fail to sell the home based on your desired amount, the worth of the money you spent on the repairs are useless. There will be no profit gained at all.

Practical Tips to Sell Your Home Fast (even if it needs renovation)

Most of the time, renovations are costly. Such an amount of money may not be included in your budget, ever since you have planned to sell it. The truth is some prospective buyers are willing to shoulder the renovations all by themselves, but what if it is the other way around?

When this happens, you can always negotiate with the buyer, ask help from a professional real estate agent to deal with the property’s interested buyers, or give up entirely the idea of selling the place until repairs are done. Besides, here are some practical tips you can try.

Price the house lower than the usual

This option may not give you the best profit out of the deal, but if you do not want to shell out money for the repairs before selling, you can opt to sell it for a lower price than the ideal. Most buyers will negotiate with this option, especially that they need to pay for whatever renovations are required.

Consider the idea of fixer-uppers homebuyers

A fixer-upper refers to a property that requires repair even if it usually can be lived in or used as it is. Buyers who are interested in fixer-uppers are generally looking for those that need only light cosmetic repairs. Most of the time, they are buyers who either don’t qualify to buy a more expensive property or want to profit by fixing up the home and then resell it again. Here are a few tips to make the most of your fixer-upper listing.
- Price it accordingly. Ensure you know if you’re selling in a buyer or a seller’s market before pricing it. It can help if you benchmark the current home prices with the same condition as yours before dropping the digits.
- Focus on the positive side of the deal. Even if your house needs some repairs, other factors such as the location, lot size, and floor plan can be your unique selling points.
- Use keywords with high search volumes. Ensure a complete description of the home in your listing because buyers always appreciate having a detailed one. Consider eye-catching keywords that can add value and searchability to your listing. Doing a bit of search engine optimization (SEO) can help you stand out among others.
- Add quality real estate images – even if you are selling a property that needs renovation, make sure to use pictures processed by a real estate photo retouching company.
Doing easy upgrades to sell your home fast

Beyond any critical updates, think about the other easy things to do before selling your house. Here are some of the quick and economical upgrades you can consider.
- Caulking in bathrooms and kitchens – this is especially important since pipe leakages usually cause headaches to the new owner. Repairing faulty pipes adds value to the property and makes it sell fast.
- Having the carpets cleaned – if you are putting up a house for sale with all the old appliances, decorations, and furniture, make sure that they are still in good condition and usable. For carpets, have it cleaned with a professional cleaner.
- A fresh coat of paint, always in a neutral color – the choice of paint color also affects the property’s saleability. It is often recommended to choose neutral colors since they are attractive and pleasant to the eyes. Among the best neutral hues to choose from are beige, ivory, taupe, black, gray, and white.
- Improving lighting by adding fixtures or replacing bulbs – no one wants a home without any functional lights. Make sure to fix this issue at least before putting up the listing.
Overall, these are only some useful tips to follow and consider if you are selling a property that needs renovation. Hoping this helps, and best luck!
September 1, 2020
4 Reasons that Explain Why Open Communication is Vital in Outsourced Photo Editing Work

Photo editing is an essential stage in every real estate photo shoot. Without this process, the final images look dull and unpresentable. For one, real estate photography becomes a vital element of the real estate industry because of its significant role in creating engaging and impactful listings. Hence, without the compelling visuals that add value to the property, closing a sale is difficult to accomplish.

Making amazing real estate images take time, with editing as the most time-consuming part. Having the perfect raw shots does not mean great photos already. There is still a need for excellent photo editing skills to achieve the ideal photos suited for real estate listings.

Unless you are a pro in image post-processing, editing can take up your time – from up to 20 minutes or more, especially if the image needs a lot of modifications to enhance its quality and aesthetics. You are lucky to find a photographer who can both take excellent photos and edit them at the same time. Otherwise, you need to get this service from a third-party real estate photo editing company.

Outsourcing your editing needs means working with a team of expert editors to handle all your instructions and modification requests. If you are outsourcing your photo editing needs, it is essential to establish open and constant communication with your real estate photo editing company. Otherwise, you cannot expect quality outputs right away.

Here are other reasons why open communication is necessary when outsourcing your photo editing.

Minimizes the chance to have incorrect outputs

If you are communicating with your team all the time, it is less likely to commit unintended mistakes about your shots. Your editors appreciate an active communication between you and them because it makes everyone in the team comfortable. It gives them the idea that you are approachable and always ready to cater to any questions.

Encourages you and the editors to become proactive

It is best to have a proactive attitude when working with a team. As the client, you can be dynamic, but sometimes, your ideas are not enough. It makes sense to get a new and fresh perspective from someone who is more immersed in the editing side than on your thoughts. Photo editors are experts individuals who possess the necessary skills to create the perfect images for you. If they are proactive enough to suggest some points for improvement, it is already a plus for you.

Allows you to track progress for free

You are aware that almost every messaging tool is available for free. Messenger, Skype, Viber, Slack, and other open applications can connect you with your editing team without incurring additional costs. You can also use email for free. However, make sure that all communication is established in trusted channels only. Also, try to monitor communication media daily so that you can keep track of the following: (1) messages documentation (2) make sure recipients are aware of the messages, and (3) recipients will reply to messages.

Builds rapport

Open communication is the key to building a good rapport with the team. If you are the type of client who tends to work with a team on a long term basis, it is best to establish rapport between the key members of the group. Doing this will make you have a strong bond with your team. It will prevent unnecessary miscommunications, and if there are some, it can be quickly addressed, and escalations will be prevented.

These are only some of the excellent benefits of practicing open communication with your outsourced photo editing team. We hope that this article gives you insights on why you should start communicating with your editing team as soon as possible.

August 24, 2020
5 Useful Real Estate Photography Hacks

Doing real estate related work is never easy, especially when it comes to real estate photography. For one, taking pictures of properties is not just for the sake of it. It has a purpose, and it needs to be done professionally.

In photography, having a niche is imperative. While most photographers may be able to capture different types of images, niching allows them to practice and hone their skills, particularly in only one subject. Hence, some only specialize in weddings, fun shoots, corporate events, real estate, etc.

Photographers are also expected to be pro editors. They should know how to improve their shots and have a good mastery of the craft. Yet, in reality, not all photographers practicing in the real estate niche are expert editors. Sometimes, they still need the help of a real estate photo editing company to polish the images.

That is why knowing some useful photography hacks can help photographers to capture images that need minimal editing or even edit-free photos. Here are a few handy tips to get awesome shots.

1. Determine the exact area to shoot

Some clients do not want to capture the whole area, especially if some of the space is unattractive. It is best practice to ask the owner if there are any furniture or areas of the property that should be excluded from the shoot. This will help you save time in the editing process, either by yourself or through the help of a real estate photo editing company.

2. Use a wide lens

Using a lens that is at least 12 mm wide will yield more realistic results. It will make the interiors look more significant than they are. One tip to consider is to check with the realtor if some areas should look spacious to lure more interested buyers.

3. Feature attractive furniture and decorations

When shooting images for a home or any properties, it is best to show its most appealing side, including the furniture and the ornaments. For example, you can highlight a vintage chair or dining set to show intricate pieces of furniture. You can also highlight elegant staircases, accent windows, and walls.

4. Experiment with angles and heights

If you are unsure about where to start shooting or what aspect to use, try testing various angles and heights to make your shots stand out. Take note of photography fundamentals. For example, do not shoot directly at walls because it can make the photo look flat. It is always better to shoot from corners to create depth in the images. On the other hand, the use of low angles is useful, especially in kitchens. Shooting at eye or shoulder level is not always recommended. Moreover, when shooting the exterior of a house, aerial shots are favored to capture more property features.

5. Open all doors and straighten all curtains and cushions

Make it your goal to have neat shots. However, it is a challenge if the room has multiple entrances. The best hack to do is to open all sliding doors because it always creates depth in shots. Hence, you get a “huge space” impression. On the other hand, shooting kitchen and living areas tend to be difficult because of the furniture. The best hack to make this easy is to straighten all essential items such as the kitchen stools, cushions on sofas, books, dining, and outdoor chairs, including all the curtains.

Those are only five of the many hacks you can practice while taking images of a property. Take time to learn the skills, and eventually, you will get the hang of it. We hope these hacks can help you out!

August 17, 2020
How to sell your property using floor plans?
If there is one thing that other realtors tend to forget in their listings these days aside from the real estate images, it is the floor plan.

A floor plan is a drawing to scale that shows the property as seen from above. It shows the layout and the connection between rooms and spaces of the property.

While engaging visuals capture a buyer’s attention, the floor plan still has an essential purpose in a listing that can influence the buyer’s decision.

So, how can you make use of floor plans to leverage your listing? Here are some proven ways you can try.

Add it in listings

Having the perfect visuals is excellent, but not if your client wants to see the property’s open layout. This is why you need the floor plans. Potential buyers love floor plans because they give them better visualization of the property. A single floor plan can provide a more accurate flow of the rooms than having a furnished photo alone.

Highlight its importance

When you prepare the listing, try to include a section about the plans and its uses. Discuss there briefly the floor plans included in the listing and how to use them. This will give them better insights.

Add it on brochures (online and offline)

If your real estate marketing materials include catalogs, do not forget to add them. Adding floor plans into online property brochures adds a touch of professionalism. It sets your listing apart from other available listings online. On the other hand, if you also practice offline marketing of the property by handing out printed brochures, do not forget to add the floor plans. It is those little details that sell a property.

Pair it with compelling real estate images

A realtor’s job is to make buyers fall in love with the property you’re selling. Using high-quality and attractive images processed by a real estate photo editing company gives agents the advantage to have more potential buyers. But, this is only one thing, because adding floor plans is another thing to consider.

These two should come in pairs. This gives prospective buyers more comprehensive and detailed listings. The retouched images from a real estate photo editing company let them visualize the property when it is fully furnished. At the same time, the floor plans give them a chance to check the layout of the overall property – how many rooms, what are the arrangements, where are the fire exits, etc.

Learn its proper usage

It is essential to know how to use floor plans correctly to get the most out of them. Here are some tips to follow::
- Make sure the floor plan’s illustration is clear. It will help to recheck too if the plan has written descriptions. Otherwise, including one is pointless.
- Always include a compass in the plan. Interested buyers want to know the direction of the property, such as how the garage faces or where the master bedroom is.
- The most important thing to check is the measurements. Most buyers want to know how big the rooms are, or how wide is the total floor and lot areas. This gives additional insights that can help them determine the value of their money.
- Put appropriate labels/legends on the floor plans. This will help the buyers navigate it efficiently, especially if the plan is for a big property.
The five ways mentioned above are practical tips to get the full benefits of using floor plans in listings to sell your property. Still, the most important thing to remember is to explain well with the buyers the advantages of purchasing the property.
August 11, 2020
The Pros and Cons of Home and Virtual Staging

Back then, when virtual staging is not yet discovered, realtors only have one option to get quality images for their listings – through home staging.

Years later, realtors have found a new way to showcase a property’s amenities, with the discovery of virtual staging. Since then, it has become a useful tool for them.

Here are some of the known pros and cons to evaluate if a home or virtual staging is the best option.

Home Staging: Pros

Open House

If you are still into the traditional way of doing the business, an open house is still the best choice. Here, you incorporate the home staging concept by hiring a home staging company to decorate the empty rooms. You can showcase the entire property to the buyers and let them feel what it would be like to live there.

Home Staging: Cons

Too Expensive

Realtors cannot deny the fact that home staging is way too expensive. It is because staging companies usually charge not only one time. In some cases, a monthly fee is needed to maintain the furniture placed in a property until you sell the place.

Time Consuming

Home staging also consumes your time during sourcing the furniture and decorations. At times, you also need to be present in the place once the set-up date is scheduled.

Virtual Staging: Pros

Cost-Effective

Virtual staging is way cheaper than the traditional home staging method. It is because it does not need any real furniture or decorations. Therefore, logistics and workforce are no longer required. Moreover, it can be done using software or the professional real estate image retouching service of a real estate photo editing company.

Marketplace Advantage

The technique also gives you an edge on the target market since it yields high-end and compelling visuals that attract potential buyers. It lets you highlight the property’s amenities and main features, not with empty photos but with fully furnished room images.

Detailed and Attractive Images

The process also lets realtors have more detailed listings than before. The images help the buyers in making informed decisions. The secret is seeking help from trusted real estate photo editors working at a reputable real estate photo editing company to further improve the virtually-staged photos.

Catalogs

If before you need to source all the furniture for home staging, now, a catalog will do all the work. Virtual stagers already have catalogs ready to check the type of furniture and decorations you want to use in the empty room.

Shorter Turnaround Time

Traditional home staging takes days to be completed, while virtual staging can be done in hours.

Virtual Staging: Cons

You Do Everything

Unless you opt to get a virtual staging company’s service, you need to do all the tasks yourself – from taking the photos to editing it through a staging app or software.

Expect Multiple Revisions

Clients tend to demand specific modifications on some images. That should be part of your expectations. At times, you will find yourself doing more work, especially if there is no support team to help you. That is why the help of a real estate photo editing company is crucial at this time. With a team of expert real estate photo editors, you should not be worried about your clients’ revisions.

As the realtor, it is still your sole discretion to choose your properties’ perfect staging method. It will be easier for you to use the mentioned pros and cons to help you make the right decision. Carefully evaluate your choice on the business and consider the ‘new normal‘ due to the current global situation brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

August 3, 2020