5 Tips for Virtual Staging in Today’s Market

With buyers using the internet to search for a home more now than ever, a home’s visual appeal can make or break a sale. This is why virtual staging is important. Discover these tips for virtual staging in today’s market to begin understanding how to digitally add furniture, décor and other elements to your listing.

Know your audience.

Before adding digital elements to your listing, it’s important to understand your target audience. Begin by asking yourself questions like: Is your listing a luxury apartment situated in a city? Or is it a family home located in the suburbs? Questions like these will help guide you to choose design elements tailored to the potential buyer’s style.

Keep it ethical and simple.

One of the most important tips for virtual staging in today’s market is to keep it ethical and simple.

Required by Article 12 in the NAR’s Code of Ethics, real estate agents who are REALTORS® must be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and present a true picture in their advertising, marketing and other representations. Ensure that any photo of a virtually staged listing is clearly labeled as such.

And when it comes to virtually staging, less is often more. Avoid cluttering spaces with big furniture or elaborate décor that will distract a buyer. Choose a clean, minimalist style that makes viewers feel at home while still allowing them to appreciate the entire space.

Highlight the home’s best features.

Virtual staging can be used to draw extra attention to a home’s best features. Whether it’s a beautiful brick fireplace, a spacious floor plan or a wall of large windows, strategically place furniture and décor to emphasize these selling points.

Utilize AI tools.

Not the best at photo editing? Utilize AI tools to design your spaces! AI virtual staging platforms, like Collov AI, can generate fully furnished rooms in seconds. All you have to do is upload the property photo, and then you can virtually add furniture in curated styles, remove clutter, transform lighting, enhance low-quality pictures and more.

Many AI platforms will require a small payment. When comparing virtual staging fees to in-person staging fees, you will see that you are saving hundreds of dollars, making staging accessible for everyone.

Customize your design.

Going hand-in-hand with knowing your audience, customizing your design will help tailor the look and feel of your property. Use chat edit to enter commands like “replace the large chair with a smaller one” or “add a rug under the couch and a chandelier above it” to manage the design of your listing.

Summary

Now don’t just ignore these tips for virtual staging in today’s market—take advantage of the powerful technology we have and unlock your listings’ true potential to attract more buyers to achieve a faster sale. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or new to the real estate market, continue reading our blogs for more tips and tricks—or to keep up with all things LCAR.

4 Things to Know About the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics

Looking for a house, not to mention a Realtor, can be overwhelming. However, these four things to know about the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics will help you see the benefits of working with one from the beginning!

But before we delve into the main things to know about the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics, let’s first review what it is and why it was created.

What is the Code of Ethics, and why was it created?

In a nutshell, the NAR’s Code of Ethics is a self-improving guide for all real estate professionals. It was created to guarantee clients are served fairly by requiring Realtors to work together in promoting the clients’ best interests at all times.

Required continuing education courses ensure that Realtors stay up-to-date on the Code and any changes it undergoes year to year.

It was established over 100 years ago.

Did you know the NAR’s Code of Ethics was adopted in 1913? According to the NAR website, it was “one of the first codifications of ethical duties adopted by any business group.”

It embodies the Golden Rule.

Simply put, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Realtors apply this guiding principle to all their activities, from personal to professional.

There are three main sections.

There are three main sections outlined in the Realtors’ Code of Ethics.

Duties to Clients and Customers

When it comes to things to know about the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics, know that the client is always the number one priority. But Realtors remain obligated to treat all parties honestly, even while promoting and protecting their clients’ best interests.

Duties to the Public

This section includes everything from equal professional services for all to truthfulness in all communications—from emails to advertising.

Duties to Realtors

Once again, the Golden Rule is a guiding principle in this case. Under the Code of Ethics, Realtors promise to be fair, honest and supportive of other real estate professionals.

It gives you—the client—peace of mind.

Knowing your Realtor has taken an oath to protect and promote your best interests in all transactions is comforting. Understanding your Realtor is obligated to disclose pertinent facts about the property is comforting.

Realizing your Realtor works diligently to promote a healthy, competitive marketplace is comforting. And, last but not least, knowing your Realtor is committed to staying current on issues affecting real estate gives you peace of mind.

Summary

Now that you have a better understanding of why “Realtor” has come to mean “competency, fairness and high integrity,” are you ready to connect with a local expert? We can help! Search for Lee County Realtors here. For more industry news and tips, keep reading our blogs.