Introduction

Nearly 100% of home buyers start their search online. That means the photos for your new listing need to be not only flawless, but compelling enough to generate substantial foot traffic for your sellers. Using staged photos can help potential buyers really visualize the different spaces the property has to offer.

The concept and implementation of using staged photos in real estate photography is fairly new, with most photo staging companies popping up in the last decade or so. Staging as an industry though, has been around quite a while longer - since the late 1980s. The fusion of the two industries created what is now staged photos, or virtual staging.

In this article, we will continue to expand upon the definition of staged photos and explore their relevance in the real estate marketing industry. We’ll learn why they’re taking a foothold with realtors, property managers, interior designers, contractors and real estate developers. We will also examine the different offshoots of staged photos, like virtual renovation, virtual furniture removal and virtual landscaping. 

What are Staged Photos?

Definition and Explanation

With respect to real estate, staged photos are simply real estate photos that have furnishings and decor placed into them digitally by skilled designers or virtual stagers. The spaces do not actually have the furniture placed in real life, nor is the digital decor necessarily a replica of anything that exists in real life. 

In unstaged photos, whatever was actually in the home during the photography shoot (like old or mismatched decor, well-worn rugs, etc) would remain there in the images that are listed online or printed on brochures. Staging photos allows for digital removal of what’s actually in the home, and refilling all the rooms with furniture that’s more likely to help the home sell faster, and for more money. 

The timeline for the development of the staged photography industry is somewhat unclear, but it's evident that there was a significant boom in virtual staging services during COVID, which is understandable. Home buyers weren’t allowed to tour homes in person, so everything moved online, including staging. The difference is after the height of the pandemic, staged images had carved a unique niche in the real estate marketing industry. It’s been growing ever since.

Importance in Real Estate

As with many facets of marketing, virtually staged photos are used to improve upon the visual aspects of a home to help it sell faster and for more money. The importance of this tech-savvy selling tool cannot be overstated.  High-end staged photos also help home shoppers envision living in the space. A beautifully staged home can also increase the value in the buyers’ eyes as they’re viewing the property at its absolute best furnished potential. This can inspire them to tour the home in person.

When are Staged Photos Used?

Key Scenarios and Use Cases:

The most common use of staged photos is in the residential real estate market. Over 75% of residential realtors use some form of staging, whether that’s traditional, virtual, or some combination. Over the last five years virtual staging has been gaining a larger and larger share of that percentage. 

Using staged photography to highlight the key spaces in a high-end home is an excellent use of the new technology. Keeping furnishings and decor minimal, but exceptionally high quality and updated in rooms like the great room, family room, office and den will impress viewers and show them what’s possible.

Staged photos also serve to help tight spaces look larger, using a similar strategy as above. Using virtual furniture removal to get rid of clutter and excess decor, and then lightly staging with comfortable, neutral furnishings will greatly improve the look of the listing photos.

Property managers and property management companies have also been using virtually staged photos to attract and retain quality tenants. Listing photos of homes and offices for rent are almost always vacant, so it makes sense to add some digital furniture so potential renters can have a solid visual understanding of how the spaces are laid out, and the best furniture plan for the property. 

Real estate developers (and the realtors who assist them) love using staged photos, largely because they tend to have a very specific vision for how their new construction property should look, and that’s hard to match with traditional “live” staging. Using staged photos helps them match their exact conception since the digital library of items is so much larger than that of a traditional staging company.

Staged photos --when combined with renovated photos-- can also help showcase new construction that is only partially finished. Most virtual staging companies also offer this option, which is particularly great for getting those pre-sale homes up on the MLS. When buyers can see what the finished home will look like, it can really increase their interest in the project.

Timing Considerations

When comparing staged photography with traditional live staging, it’s worth noting that getting photos virtually staged is a really quick process. Typically, once you provide your photography to a virtual staging service, you’ll have them complete and back in your inbox within 24-48 hours. Even if you request revisions to your photos (which is sometimes a necessary part of the process to accurately capture what you’d like to see), you’re still looking at only a few days from start to finish.

This means that in a fast-paced real estate market, you won’t waste precious time finding a traditional stager with availability and then scheduling them a week or two out. The hassle of moving furniture into (and then out of) a home is also removed. These time-saving benefits allow you to get your listing to market quicker, which ultimately saves you and your seller money.

How Does Staged Photography Exactly Work?

The Staging Process

The process for traditional staging is longer and more complex than the process for virtually staged photos. The steps for having your photos staged are simple and straightforward:

1. If possible, have professional photos taken of the home or property. Photos taken by you can also work in a pinch.
2. Decide what virtual staging company you want to hire to work on your images.
3. Upload them to the company’s website and pay.
4. Wait approximately 24-48 hours for the staged photos to be returned to you.
5. If you have revision requests, submit them with your account manager after you review the photos. 
6. Receive the revised photos.
7. Upload your digital staged photos to the MLS, or print them on brochures or presentations.

Photography Techniques

Since you’re investing in digital photo staging, it’s worth it to use professional photography. This way, you’ll end up with the highest quality virtually staged images and your listing as a whole will really stand out in search results. Typically, your photographer won’t need any special instructions -- the way the customarily shoot a home is exactly how you’ll want the photos for virtual staging, as well. 

If you’re in a time crunch or on a super-tight budget, you can take photos with your smart phone that can be staged. The results won’t be as high-quality as professional photos, but they’ll still look nice. Here are a few helpful tips in order to get the best virtual staging outcome:

• Take the photos from a tripod and set the height right around 5’
• Open curtains and blinds to let in natural light
• Take 2-3 photos from different angles in each space
• Remove as much clutter as possible before taking the photos

Usually, the staging service you choose can also do a bit of touch-up editing (like straightening, brightening, color adjustment, etc.) on your photos for a small additional fee. It’s usually worth it.

Costs and Budgeting

When compared with traditional live staging, staging photos is about 99% cheaper. Traditional home staging usually begins in the thousands and is charged a flat-fee plus a monthly fee. You can end up spending $5,000 - $15,000 or more. 

Virtual staging costs anywhere from $25-$75 per image, on average. Most users choose to stage between 10-15 photos, so their total is between $250 - $1,125. This includes revisions, and access to nearly unlimited digital and 3d furniture. It’s just not possible for traditional staging companies to store enough in warehouses to be able to have the sizable digital library virtual home staging services have. Even if you include virtual renovation, virtual furniture removal, or more than 15 staged photos, the total cost is still thousands of dollars less when using virtual staging as opposed to traditional staging. 

Benefits of Using Staged Photos

For Developers

Real estate developers love using virtually staged photos because of the flexibility, cost-savings and turnaround time. Often, by the time a home or property development is completed the marketing budget is somewhat depleted. However, given the affordable price-point of staged photos there’s tremendous marketing opportunity available. 

Using staged photos also helps for pre-sale listings, as they can be virtually “finished,” staged and placed on the MLS before they are even complete.

Potential Challenges and Considerations

Common Pitfalls

• Unrealistic-looking staged photos
• Be careful when selecting the virtual home staging company to work with. It makes sense to go through their gallery and acquaint yourself with their staging style. The last thing you want is for your staging to look fake. Price also play a factor in this -- the cheapest company is typically not going to have the most realistic looking staged photos. So, it’s usually worth it to play a few bucks more to guarantee a good result.
• Mismatched staging styles
• If you’re staging an older home or a property with a unique architectural style, make sure to determine if the staging company you’ve hired can match it. The last thing you want is super modern furnishings in an early 1900s craftsman-style home!  

Ethical Considerations

Some MLS guidelines require that staged photos are labeled as such when the property is listed. Just ask your virtual staging company to label each photo in the bottom right corner.

On the buyer-side of a transaction it’s important to set expectations correctly before touring a virtually staged home in person. If your state’s MLS does not require labeling photos as virtually staged, be sure to explain to your buyers what virtual staging is and how the home will likely be vacant or mostly vacant when they see it in person. The photos are staged to give them an idea how it can look when professionally designed and furnished. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, staged photos have emerged as indispensable tools in the real estate industry, providing a seamless method to enhance property listings by digitally curating spaces with attractive furnishings and decor. This technique not only accelerates the sales process but also increases the perceived value of properties in the eyes of potential buyers. The rise of virtual staging, especially during the COVID pandemic, has highlighted its efficiency and effectiveness, offering significant advantages over traditional live staging methods. With quick turnaround times and the flexibility to depict a property at its best, virtually staged photos are reshaping real estate marketing strategies. Real estate professionals, home sellers, developers, and property managers can leverage this technology to present their properties in a way that captivates and engages prospective buyers, ultimately driving faster and more profitable sales. If you're looking to elevate your property's market appeal, consider integrating staged photography into your strategy today.