A whopping 81% of buyers’ agents say staging a home makes it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home, yet just 23% of sellers’ agents say they stage every home. Whether you’re starting a real estate business or have been selling homes for a while, there’s a clear advantage to professionally staging your clients’ homes — and virtual staging software makes it more accessible than ever.
In fact, real estate virtual staging is becoming increasingly popular due in part to the fact that it's often cheaper and faster than its conventional counterpart. So today, I’m diving into more about virtual staging software, including costs, considerations, and some of the best resources and apps available.
Table of Contents
- Virtual Staging
- Is Virtual Staging Worth It?
- 7 Virtual Home Staging Software
- Stats on Virtual Staging Software Use
Virtual Staging
Virtual staging is a home staging process where a graphic editor is used to create a simulated, typically photorealistic interior design in a living space. It's often a more cost-effective, lower-touch, remote alternative to conventional staging for real estate professionals, photographers, and interior decorators.
As I mentioned, virtual staging is typically more cost-effective than conventional staging — but you may be wondering how much you can really save, if it’s worth the investment, and whether or not to include it as part of your real estate strategy.
How Much Does Virtual Staging Cost?
The price of virtual staging software varies from service to service and depends on how many rooms you need staged, the amount of space you're looking to cover, and the turnaround time you need for the images.
By and large, the cost of virtual staging hovers between $15 and $60 per photo — but some contractors might charge considerably more for their services, and others might charge less.
“If you’re not using virtual staging, you’re missing out…especially after the pandemic pushed everything forward to remote solutions. The way a home looks—both online and in person—can make all the difference in how fast it sells and for how much,” says Ryan Fitzgerald, owner of Raleigh Realty.
According to Fitzgerald, the ability to stage a home digitally at a fraction of the cost is a huge advantage.
“My advice is to start small. You don’t need to stage every room in a house to see the benefits. Sometimes, just focusing on the living room, kitchen, or master bedroom can make a big difference,” Fitzgerald says.
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Is Virtual Staging Worth It?
The short answer? Probably. Physical staging is often considerably more expensive than its virtual alternative. HomeAdvisor estimates it can cost as much as $1,458 per month to furnish and stage the average home.
With virtual staging, you're putting a lot of stock in the fact that your potential buyers will find you online and base a significant portion of their decision on the impression that initial virtual exposure gives them.
Michael Farah, Esq. says that he’s amazed at the ingenuity offered by virtual staging software and how it’s revolutionizing real estate marketing. According to Farah, the apps eliminate the need to be physically present to tour a home, a buyer can check out a property anywhere in the world.
“That’s a huge advantage in the global arena in which we now operate. Some agents take it even further with scenario staging, offering different decor styles for the same property in a single tour,” says Farah, who is the founder and managing real estate attorney at The Farah Law Firm.
There are several virtual staging software options that can suit almost any budget. If you‘re selling your home, virtual staging can’t really hurt your efforts — so it might be worth taking a chance on.
And, as Ashley Connell, U.K.-based property lawyer and founder of Lease Extensions shares, these apps “make it simple for you to collaborate with other agents and clients even when you're not in the same location.”
How to Use Virtual Staging Software
Every platform has a different interface and process, but all have one thing in common—the better your photos, the better the output. While most services can help you clean up your photos, if you’re starting with high-quality photos, you’ll need fewer edits or adjustments and be able to improve your listing in less time.
Saddat Abid of Property Saviour says that virtual home staging and showing apps are a game-changer.
“It helps us with out-of-town or international buyers who can’t make it to physically see the property. When creating virtual tours, ensure you have good lighting and a clean, decluttered space,” says Abid.
Abid advises that agents take the time to plan their tour route in advance for a smooth flow. He also suggests adding informative hotspots to highlight key features or provide additional context about the property or neighborhood.
“Lastly, always disclose that images are virtually staged if you use that technology. Transparency is essential in building trust with potential buyers,” Abid notes.
Just as virtual staging doesn’t replace in-person showings, it doesn’t mean that buyers will simply come flocking to you in an “If you build it, they will come” (or, in this case, “if you stage it”) moment that means your work is all done You still have the normal legwork to do and will need a real estate CRM to track those leads.
What’s more, before you dive in head-first, take some time to test the software ahead of time to know what you like and how it works before you hit a snag at a key point.
Brian Quigley, founder of Beacon Lending, agrees.
“Make sure you’re familiar with the tech before using it with clients. Nothing kills the vibe like technical difficulties! And I recommend taking some time to practice how to position the camera to capture the best angles. Lighting is crucial, so make sure the property is well-lit before starting," Quigley says.
With all this advice in mind, let’s dive into some of the top virtual staging software options available.
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7 Virtual Home Staging Software
1. Virtual Staging Solutions
Price: $75/photo for Basic, recommended for individuals; $99/photo for Plus, recommended for businesses and professionals; discounts available on bulk discounts at 10, 25, and 50.
Virtual Staging Solutions offers a turnaround time of one business day. They also offer a happiness guarantee and free revisions. Their designers help you create custom designs that use the latest trends and brand furniture to help your home bring in higher offers, sit on the market for less time, and make your space feel bigger and more inviting.
How it works: After choosing your package, submit any photos you like and share details about your property. From there, you can choose your furniture and style or leave it up to Virtual Staging Solutions designers — and shortly after, you’ll have your photos available for download.
Virtual Staging Solutions also offers remodeling and restyling virtual staging in which they change flooring, walls, cabinets, and more. They’ll also remove existing furniture and virtually stage with new options, help you envision virtual construction, and create 3D floor plans.
What I like: After selling multiple homes, the staging is one of the most challenging aspects, and I love that they make it easy, affordable, and accessible. Plus, after poking around in their furniture library, I now have the urge to redecorate my entire house!
2. BoxBrownie
Price: $24/photo
BoxBrownie was one of the most highly-rated real estate virtual staging apps by the real estate experts I spoke with. They promise to increase buyer interest, help you sell properties 75% faster, bring in a higher sales price (up to 85% higher), and help you stage a home at a fraction of the cost of non-virtual staging. Give them your photos and 48 hours, and they’ll do the rest with unlimited changes at no additional cost.
In addition to Virtual Staging, BoxBrownie’s services include:
- Image enhancement.
- Day to dusk retouching.
- Item removal and virtual cleaning.
- Floor plan redraws.
- Renderings.
- 360-degree image enhancement.
- Virtual renovations.
- 360-degree virtual staging and tours.
- Copywriting.
What I like: Honestly — I love all of it. The virtual cleaning and item removal are especially appealing to me. We’ve all seen those listings that are overly cluttered and disorganized and distract from the potential of the house — and I’ve lived in a home we sold with young children, so the ability to tidy up is especially attractive and important.
What the experts say: Fitzgerald of Raleigh Realty mentioned liking the “speed and reliability” of BoxBrownie, and Abid of Property Saviour, says it’s “user-friendly and produces realistic results that help listings stand out online.”
3. VisualStager
Price: Prepaid credits (10 credits to stage one photo) starting at $15.00/10 credits
VisualStager is a do-it-yourself virtual home staging software that lets you do the styling. One of the most economical options out there, probably the biggest benefit of Visual Stager, is that in addition to the DIY factor, you get instant access to your photos, so if you’re in a time crunch or a decent interior designer, you can move quickly.
How it works: Upload your room photos, erase existing furniture, select from over 4,000 furniture items, and simply drag and stage your photos. Once finished, you can share staged photos as JPGs or on the cloud.
What I like: In theory, I love the DIY factor, because it’s super tempting to take it on. However, I think this is best for people who have some design chops and just need to bring what’s in their heads to life. Because the reality is that I have no business with interior design (I’ll stick to writing and sharing my two cents when warranted, thank-you-very-much!).
4. Real Tour Vision
Price: Starts at $15/photo
Real Tour Vision is a real estate photography system and virtual tour software with a suite of offerings that includes virtual home staging and 3D tours. They primarily serve real estate photographers, aerial drone pilots, and virtual tour providers. In addition to virtual staging, they also provide the following services to help you stay ahead of the curve:
- 360 Panorama Virtual Staging
- Furniture and Item Removal
- Virtual Renovation
- Full 3D Rendering
- 2D to 3D Dollhouse
- Exterior 3D Rendering
- Twilight Conversion
How it works: Place your order, share your photos, and receive them 48 hours after they confirm your order. Most services include a single round of revisions.
What I like: While not as user-friendly because they’re designed for real estate experts, if your photographer uses Real Tour Vision, you can count on the output to be phenomenal.
5. Matterport
Price: Free plan includes one space and two users; paid plans start at $9.99/month
Matterport touts itself as a solution for property marketing on demand, making it easier to attract buyers and close faster with 24/7 3D tours that bring properties to life for buyers from the comfort of their homes.
How it works: You can capture photos with your phone, use one of Matterport’s 3D cameras, or pay them to do it for you. Next, you choose your plan and then choose any additional tools or add-ons. Perhaps more complicated than some of the other more accessible options, Matterport provides top-notch videos that truly make a listing stand out.
What I like: I’m definitely obsessed with some of their outputs. And, after buying a house from two hours away, it was fantastic to use the virtual 3D tour that looks identical to the ones Matterport recommends. I understood the flow of the house and was able to tour it with my family before we ever walked in for our showing. While it wouldn’t be quite as accessible to me, I like the high touch, and as a potential seller (one day), I’d absolutely want to work with a real estate agent using a platform like this.
What the experts say: Quigley says, “Matterport is hands down my favorite for virtual walkthroughs. It creates a 3D experience that feels almost like you’re walking through the house yourself. You can guide clients through remotely or let them explore at their own pace, which is helpful for out-of-town buyers.”
6. Virtually Staging Properties
Price: $39/photo for express virtual staging; $60/photo for custom virtual staging
Virtually Staging Properties also offers a Pro-version for professional stagers and interior designers, but their basic express and custom virtual staging options are fantastic for most users. They distinguish their offering with a full library of the latest trends and professional designers and realtors who know how to emphasize a home’s best features.
How it works: First, choose your plan. VSP Express has a more limited selection of furnishings; If you select this, you’ll choose your furnishings and your photos, and then you get your photos back in about two business days. VSP Custom puts design decisions in the hands of their pro stagers — and they’ll recommend the photos and furniture for you based on their intake and your conversation with them.
One round of edits is included in VSP Custom — none in VSP Express. VSP Pro includes access to a pro-exclusive inventory. Most orders average 4-5 staged photos, but can be more extensive based on the home. Plus, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
What I like: I can look at their transformation photos all day long. Their images look real, and I love their quality and focus on helping people sell real estate.
7. RoOomy
[alt] RoOomy is a virtual home staging app
Price: Pricing starts at $49/photo or $434/700 square feet using Matterhorn technology
RoOomy uses a blend of technologies and design experts to help real estate professionals, buyers, and sellers benefit from enhanced property visualization. In addition to virtual staging and 3D rendering, they also offer furniture removal and virtual renovation services.
How it works: Submit listing images, choose your design style, and select additional services like cleaning or furniture removal. Then review, approve, download, and list your photos in just 24 to 48 hours after placing your order.
What I like: Like many of the virtual staging software options, RoOomy offers a variety of furniture styles and makes it easy to wow buyers.
What the experts say: Fitzgerald mentions liking the “3D-rendering capabilities that can really wow buyers.”
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Stats on Virtual Staging Software Use
Now that you’ve seen the possibilities, I’m sure you’re convinced that it’s time to start using virtual staging software. Scratch that. It’s past time.
But just in case you’re not convinced it’s worth the extra effort, I want you to consider these statistics from the latest study on home staging by the National Association for Realtors:
- The living room is the most important for buyers, followed by the primary bedroom and the kitchen, at 39%, 36%, and 30%, respectively.
- 20% of buyers say staging a home increased the dollar value of their offer by 1-5% (Sellers back up this stat, agreeing that it upped the sales value by the same amount)
- Photos were most important to buyers (77%), followed by videos (75%), traditional staging (58%), and virtual tours (42%)
- The median cost of physical staging is $600, or $400 when the selling agent did it personally.
- At as low as $15/photo, virtual staging could bring those costs down to under $100 for up to 6 photos.
With relatively low costs and potentially high gains, it’s absolutely worth your while to give virtual staging software a short.
This Real Estate Trend is Here to Stay
Trends like virtual staging are always progressing and evolving alongside changes in technology. If you're looking for a simple, quick, cost-effective way to give your listing a little more edge and personality, look into some of the resources listed above. Regardless of which option you choose, one thing is true — virtual staging software is here to stay and has forever changed real estate buying and selling.
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