What are the types of home staging that can be utilized in a new construction listing to increase appeal to potential buyers?

When it comes to home staging for new construction listings, there are several types that can be utilized. Here are some examples:

1. Traditional Staging: This type of staging involves furnishing the home with furniture, decor, and accessories to create an inviting and appealing atmosphere for potential buyers. Typically, a home staging company will have a 1-3 month minimum regardless of how quickly the property sells. This makes it a pricey option. There’s also the risk of move-in/move-out of staging furniture damaging delicate new finishes like flooring and freshly painted walls.
2. Soft Staging: Similar to traditional staging, soft staging focuses on enhancing the space with decor and accessories but does not include furniture. It is a great option for staging on a budget, but it lacks creating a solid vision of how the home would look fully furnished, which can leave buyers uninspired.
3. Virtual Staging: Virtual staging utilizes technology to digitally furnish and decorate a space, allowing potential buyers to visualize how the home could look with furniture when browsing online. This is a great option for several reasons - not least of all being cost. A developer/builder can virtually furnish a home with super high-end furniture and decor for around $500. They’ll be able to choose exactly how they want each room to look; what colors and textures they’d like to see, and decide the exact placement of each piece. If there are multi-purpose rooms built into the new construction, they can be virtually staged in several ways. For instance, a bonus room can be staged in one photo as a kids’ playroom, and in another photo as a den + office. This isn’t achievable in traditional staging of new construction homes.
4. Model Home Staging: Model homes are often staged to showcase the potential of new construction developments. Professional stagers carefully decorate these homes to create an aspirational lifestyle for potential buyers. The downside with this is that oftentimes the developers have to purchase the furnishings and decor, and it quickly goes out of style or doesn’t line up with the styles of additional homes you may be building. 

As a new construction developer or realtor, I’ve never used virtual staging. Is it truly an effective way to market my listing? 

Yes, virtual staging can be an effective tool for new construction staging. Virtual staging allows companies to digitally map out the home and choose appropriate furniture and decor to create a visually appealing representation of the space. It helps potential buyers visualize how the home could look when furnished, which can enhance their emotional connection to the property. Virtual staging is particularly useful for showcasing new construction developments online, as it allows potential buyers to see the potential of the space without needing physical furniture in place. However, it is important to note that virtual staging should be used in conjunction with other staging techniques to provide a comprehensive and realistic representation of the property. It’s also a great option to have your virtual tour virtually staged, and place an ipad at the entry of the new construction. Then, your new home shoppers can walk through the listing while viewing the furnished virtual tour. This gives them a really unique experience of being able to see how it “could” look, and what the builders had in mind for each space, while also allowing the freedom of their imaginations to envision how their own furnishings and decor may fit. 

How do I go about picking the right virtual staging company for my new construction staging needs? 

When choosing the right virtual staging company for your new construction staging needs, there are several factors to consider. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:

1.) Research and Reviews: Start by researching different virtual staging companies and read reviews from their previous clients. Look for companies that have positive feedback and a track record of delivering high-quality results. If you are interested in a certain company, reach out to them and ask for references. Any reputable new construction staging company will happily offer these.

2.) Portfolio and Style: Review the company's portfolio on their website to see if their style aligns with the aesthetic you want for your new construction staging. Pay attention to the quality and realism of their virtual staging images.

3.) Services Offered: Consider the range of services offered by the virtual staging company. Some may specialize in residential staging, while others offer commercial or outdoor staging as well. Choose a company that can cater to your specific needs.

4.) Pricing and Packages: Compare the pricing and packages offered by different virtual staging companies. While cost is an important factor, it's crucial to balance it with the quality of their work. As with many service-related industries, the cheapest company is usually not going to deliver the highest quality results. Somewhere in the middle of the pricing-road is usually a safe bet. 

5.) Turnaround Time: Evaluate the turnaround time provided by the virtual staging company. Ensure that they can deliver the staged images within your desired timeframe, especially if you have a strict deadline for marketing your new construction. Most new construction staging companies will turnaround a set of photos within 24-48 hours. If you need revisions, usually you’ll be looking at another 24 hours.

6.) Communication and Collaboration: Pay attention to the company's communication style and their ability to collaborate effectively. Clear communication is essential to convey your requirements and ensure that they understand your vision for the staging.

By considering these factors and conducting thorough research, you can select the right virtual staging company that meets your new construction staging needs. At Luxury Staging Pro, we focus primarily on new construction virtual staging. You can read more about our offerings here, and if you’d like to order a free sample photo to see if our styles are aligned, we always offer this for new clients. Visit us at: Luxury Staging Pro to read more about our services.