Distressed Condominiums in Florida Are Virtually Sold!

Ted, an investor based out of New York called upon Virtually Staging Properties after reading an article in the New York Times about a new marketing tool called virtual staging.  He was unsure what to expect as this was a new technology he had never tried before and needed that competitive edge to sell his renovated investment properties quickly.

“Virtually Staging Properties has been a great addition to my marketing plan.  I placed my first order of 3 photos online and could not believe the results of the finished product I received.  The properties were selling instantly and for more than expected.  I found that an order of 5 to 8 pictures of the condo properties really helped buyers understand how to layout the spaces especially the living and dining room combo floorplans in majority of the condominiums that I invest and flip.  The pictures were very realistic and to scale.  I was amazed at how they instantly brought buyer traffic to the listing!” says Ted.

Ted’s agent finds distressed properties that are good investments to purchase and sell quickly in the South Florida area.  Once the properties are compeletely renovated he then has a professional photographer take pictures of the vacant rooms in the home.  Virtually Staging Properties receives the photos and digitally places attractive furnishings and decor into the photographs.  The unique service transforms the photos into beautifully staged pictures that can be used in any marketing materials for the property like flyers, virtual tour videos and online where they instantly capture a buyers attention.

“I completed 24 renovation projects and all 24 properties sold thanks to virtual staging.  My agents were thrilled and so were the buyers.  The service is just what I was looking for and online ordering is easy and the low cost fits right in my budget.  I highly recommend this technology savvy tool to investors needing that competitive edge when it comes to marketing!” explains Ted.

Virtual Staging – New York Real Estate Investor Gets the Edge is a post from: Virtually Staging Properties

Home Staging Ideas That Don’t Cost A Fortune!

Beautiful and innovative traditional home staging and virtual staging ideas and concepts don’t have to be costly.  Here are 10 ingenious ideas to makeover and creatively stage your home that are inexpensive but will make a home look like a million bucks!

1.) Paint The Front Door.  The exterior of a home is the first thing a potential buyers sees upon viewing a home for sale.  Make sure there is a pleasing welcome mat and the front door of your home is freshly painted.  Black or brown is typical door paint colors but don’t be afraid to go with a pale green or grey.  Warm colors are great to use when staging a home because they are pleasing so go for a red color that says welcome home.  Transform a home instantly in an afternoon!

2.) Rearrange Furniture.  When staging a home, traditionally or virtual staging, its important to create a focal point in a living space.  Just begin with the largest piece of furniture and face it toward a fireplace or window with an amazing view.  Try furniture on an angle.  Keep in mind there does not need to be a piece of furniture hugging every wall and corner of a room.  Make it cozy and emphasize the features of the room.  Not crazy about the look, then try again – hey it’s FREE!

3.) Use a Basket.  Baskets are inexpensive staging pieces that can be used in all areas of the home.  They are perfect to hold rolled towels in a bathroom or display magazines next to a chair.  Baskets come in all shapes and sizes and tall ones are great for throws to flow out of near a fireplace or use a large one to place kids small toys in that can quickly be stowed away before a showing.

4.) Reorganize Accessories.  Get creative and gather decorative items in one place like vases, wall art, baskets, flowers and the like.  Put those items that are similar in color grouped together and display them in those rooms that need a dash of color.  Decor items on bookshelves, on a fireplace mantel or on a front entry table are ideal to capture a buyers attention and make a space more inviting!

5.) Add A Folding Screen.  This is an easy piece that can define and instantly make a room.  These work well for open living and dining combination floorplans and small studio style condos.  Foldong screens add visual interest and can be used to hide excess clutter when placed in a corner.  They are great staging pieces that can act like a large piece of artwork!

6.)  Fabric and Rugs.  Spice up a boring room by using large pieces of fabric or even a rug piece.  Small rugs are cheap items that can be used to quickly make a table runner by placing it flat or folded in thirds.  Use a large piece of fabric with a colorful design print and place over a not so pretty breakfast table and let it fall to the floor and billow – voila a new table is born!

7.) Go Big With Small Pieces.  Gather a collection of small plates, mirrors and artwork and create an instant collage.  These decor items are great staging pieces that can add some pop in a living room above a couch for instance or down a long hallway that needs some instant color!

8.) Warm Up Your Walls.  Buyers are attracted to inviting spaces.  It is always best to stay neutral when staging a home so keep wall colors warm.  Natural beiges, grays, pale colors are best – nothing that is shocking and will make a buyer run for the hills.

9.) Dress Up Drawers.  And cabinets too!  Silver knobs, brushed silver knobs or dark bronze hardware is best for kitchen cabinets.  Replace ho hum pulls in drawers in your closet with beautiful glass pulls.  Go for something colorful or unique for a kids dresser.

10.) Mix It Up! Ungroup all matched sets of furniture and decor.  Not all buyers will have similar tastes of course so its okay to put a circular side table on one side of a couch and a square side table on the other.  A home shouldn’t look like a furniture store display.  Mix and match decor items too like pillows on a couch and get creative.  Use different lamps in a bedroom as they don’t have to be identical.

Marketing a home for sale can be challenging and sometimes quite costly for sellers.  These are just a few ways to break the typical design rules and stage a home in a stress free way that won’t break the bank!

Please visit our virtual staging tips for additional ideas.

Home Staging Makeover Ideas is a post from: Virtually Staging Properties

Mirrors Can Be a Powerful Staging Tool

Mirrors have always been favorable decorating pieces over the years.  They add natural light, come in different sizes and are available in unique frames that can make them unique pieces of art.  Potential buyers want to see themselves in mirrors upon entering a home for sale and their reflective surfaces will instantly capture their attention.  When staging your home for sale there are important rooms in the home that require proper placement of mirrors.  Here are 5 Rooms where Mirrors should be placed when traditional or virtual staging your home for sale!

1.) Entry – Placing a mirror in your foyer or entry area is perfect when buyers first enter a home listed for sale.   They want to see themselves living in the home as if it was there own.

2.) Living Room -  A mirror above a fireplace is an attractive accent.  Placing a mirror on a large wall opposite a window can act like another window in the space because it will draw light back into the room.  If you don’t have bookshelves on each side of your fireplace then fill the empty wall space by leaning a tall framed mirror on each side of the fireplace.  The living room will instantly appear larger with a dash of drama!

3.) Bedroom –  A mirror hung above a dresser is a perfect and inexpensive decorative piece to use when staging this room and make sure it is sparkling clean!

4.) Kitchen – Rarly if ever does a kitchen need a mirror.  A mirror in this area of the home is not necessary when it comes to staging.  If there is a back door entrance into a mudroom area leading to the kitchen then placement of a mirror with hooks is ideal for coats or house keys.

5.) Bathroom – This is the place where mirrors are definately needed when staging a bathroom.  Play with the different shapes and sizes that are available for placement above a sink or vanity in a small powder bathroom.  Master bathrooms should definately have a mirror preferrably one that goes the length of the counter top and is nicely framed.

Mirrors are easy and inexpensive decorative items that should be used effectively when traditional or virtual staging your home.   Be sure that when you decide to use them that they are giving your home the greatest impact.  Remember, the key to staging a home is to visually brighten and open up your living spaces and mirrors do just that!

Please visit our virtual staging tips for additional ideas.

Home Staging with Mirrors is a post from: Virtually Staging Properties

Dining Room Staging Tips That Are Quick & Easy!

A dining room can be a tricky space for traditional or virtual staging.  Some dining rooms are small, have very little light or are part of a shared space along with a living room.  When staging a dining room it needs to invite a buyer in and linger at the table.  A dining space should look comfortable and have good lighting.  Here are 6 Dining Room Staging Tips to help buyers envision that special place for family dinners or entertaining guests!

1.) Let There Be Light. If your dining room screams dark and gloomy, bring in the light!  If there is at least one wall of windows hang a mirror on the opposite wall to reflect natural light when staging the space.  Placing a pair of tall, skinny lamps on a console table or sideboard with a mirror hung above will make your dining room glow!

2.) Create A Dining Space. Buyers need to see a dining room, so create one!  A round table pushed close to a wall or a dining table on one side of a large living area will work for small spaces.  Utilize the surrounding space and hang large artwork or a grouping of pictures on nearby walls.  Make a statement when staging the space and show buyers the possibilities.

3.) Update The Look. If your light fixtures are outdated, purchase inexpensive new ones to instantly update your dining room. Gold or brass fixtures are OUT!  Go for brushed silver or bronze rod iron.  Remove outdated wallpaper and repaint personal paint choices with warm neutral tones which is always key in staging a home to sell.

4.) Good Traffic Flow. When staging a home it is important to show off the spaciousness of a room.  If a dining table seats 8 or more take a leaf or two out of the table and show 6 seats at the table.  Place the other 2 chairs on each side of a large window or one on each side of a buffet or china cabinet.  Buyers need to be able to move around the room and not feel blocked into a space.

5.) A Focal Point. A dining room is an easier room for buyers to envision laying out furnishings but you want to still capture their attention.  A large vase with fresh flowers centered on the dining table and colorful artwork on walls is key when staging this room and helps create a focal point which is easy on the eyes.

6.) Avoid Overstaging. It is not necessary to compeletely set the dining table with all your china, glasses, silverware, placemats and the like.  Again, you want to create a pleasing focal point in the dining room but setting the table is too much!  Overstaging a room can possibly stir up negative thoughts and make buyers feel the home is too fancy to live in.

Set the stage for buyers and make the dining room look like a space in which buyers will want to have their own gatherings!

Click —>Virtual Home Staging Gallery …to see additional virtual staging photos.

*photo provided by Tom E., Broker, staging by No Vacancy in Atlanta, GA

6 Quick & Easy Dining Room Staging Tips is a post from: Virtually Staging Properties

Stage Living Spaces With Low-Budget Hints of Color!

It is always best to neutralize a home when staging it for sale.   How do you complete the home staging and bring hints of color back in?  This can be achieved in simple and inexpensive accent pieces that will make a big impression on potential buyers viewing the home.  Here are 5 Low-Budget Items for Traditional or Virtual Staging Living Spaces with Color…

1.) Vases.  These are inexpensive decor items for staging a home.  One or two on a shelf or as a centerpiece with flowers.  A grouping on one side of a fireplace or in the corner of a long kitchen countertop works well.  These pieces are easy to replace if you want a new color scheme.

2.) Throw Blankets. A great decorative item that brings a hint of coziness when staging a room.  Laying one at the end of a bed or over a couch adds just enough spice to neutral furnishings.

3.) Fresh Flowers.  Purchase a bunch and place in a clear vase as a centerpiece on a coffee table.  A quick and easy picture perfect solution when staging your home!

4.) Picture Frames. Create contrast with picture frames for artwork NOT for personal photos when staging a home.  Use dark wood or black frames for artwork on light colored walls and use white, silver or light wood frames on dark painted walls.  Artwork should pop off the wall and capture attention not get lost!

5.) Pillows. Create a focal point when staging a room by placing a colorful pillow on a bed or stack two by a fireplace.  These decorative items come in all sizes and they can steal the show in a room when dressed in silk, sequence or embroidered with color designs!

These low-cost accent pieces are simple ways to bring warm and inviting into your home once you have neutralized wall colors and cleared away the clutter from staging.  Complete the look and remember to to use home staging to emphasize your homes features with quick hints of color that achieve big results!

Low Budget Home Staging With Hints of Color is a post from: Virtually Staging Properties

Bookcases In A Living Space Are Not Just For Books!

Bookcases should be organized and neat when staging your home.  Simply select smaller groupings of books to display as not every shelf has to be full.  Choose only a few decorative items to keep on the shelves and pack away the rest.  Create an appealing display and most importantly remove all personal pictures.  Now its time to reorganize and update your shelving in these 6 Easy Steps to Give Bookcases A Staging Makeover!

1.) Add some art. Art isn’t just for walls.  Hang small artworks from the shelves themselves when staging your bookcases.  They can be easily removed for access to your books.  Ladders are also a great staging piece.  Prop them against one side of a bookshelf and hang magazines on them horizontally!

2.) Add contrast.  Paint builtins with a shade that is different from the wall color of the living space.  This will draw attention to your items displayed on the shelf and add “wow” factor.  Painting the whole shelf or just painting the backs of the shelving works just as well.

3.) Organize in style.  Attractive patterned or colored boxes are great staging items to display on bookshelves.  They keep the less pretty items out of sight but organized in style.  They can be displayed alone or several stacked on top of each other.

4.) It’s a wrap! Get creative when staging your bookcases by wrapping books with decorative jackets.  This adds color especially to neutral painted bookcases.  Wrap books in one solid color for a clean and simple approach that portrays a unified look.

5.) Brighten it up.  For an unexpected twist, go for lining the backs of bookcases with wallpaper.  A map print on a white background is visually interesting for an office for example.  A light pattern or textured wallpaper is perfect to break up the heaviness of dark wooden bookshelves.  Adding contrast is key when staging a home.

6.) A Happy Ending. Attractive bookends are ideal to keep books upright while adding personality. Can’t part with your pottery or paper weight collection? Simply select a few favorites.  Place them like a bookend but propped on a stack of books.  Your pieces will be displayed as works of art!

Traditional or Virtual Staging your shelving will beautify your living spaces.  Your bookcases will become stylish and attract interest in your home.  Forego using them as a storage unit by following these simple steps and take them from cluttered to curated!

Click —>Virtual Home Staging Gallery …to see additional virtual staging photos.

6 Easy Steps to Give Bookcases A Staging Makeover! is a post from: Virtually Staging Properties

More is More When Staging With Light

Proper lighting dramatically alters the look of any living space. Most homeowners don’t utilize enough lighting when staging a home. If your landscaping outdoors is heavy of trees and shade then your home will show dark and gloomy to potential buyers. Bring in the light with these 10 Tips to Proper Lighting When Staging Your Home! – learn the latest trends!

1.) Multipurpose Fixtures. They give both focused and diffused lighting. Utilize the 3 sources of light rule when traditional or virtual staging a vacant room. Create ambience with overhead lighting and two other sources like lamps. Wall sconces are clutter free and great for kids rooms!

2.) Adequate Lighting. Less is more when staging a home, but more is more! Try using multiple light sources like overhead lights, wall sconces, extra lighting for reading or can lighting for wall art.

3.) Going Green. The newest trend is energy-saving lighting. How about using dimmers? Place a 100 watt light bulb in your overhead fan or chandelier, dim it down 50% percent, and instantly save 50 percent on energy costs!

4.) Rustic is Hot. Industrial and barn lights, whether purchased second hand or a reproduced version, are a hot commodity in homes. Check out Lowe’s for recent reproduction styles.

5.) Add Texture. Capiz light fixtures made of pearlescent capiz shells are truly unique. The fixture adds light and creates visual interest in a room.

6.) Shade Swap. Remove the wimpy or ugly shade that came with a lamp purchase. Target has a vast selection of neutral lampshades that are perfect for quick and inexpensive room staging. Create contrast by using dark shaded lamps against light colored walls and vice versa when traditional or virtual staging a bedroom.

7.) Bigger is Better. Add oversize lamps when traditional or virtual staging a vacant living room or master bedroom. This new trend also works well in a traditional style home. Try mixing styles when decorating or staging. Make it your own living space!

8.) Edison Bulbs. Be artistic! Switch out regular style bulbs for a new stylish Edison filament bulb. These bulbs add drama and replicate the look of early 20th century bulbs. The bulb alone is a piece of art!

9.) Pendant Lighting. The ideal kitchen lighting. Hang pendant lights approximately 30 to 36 inches above your countertops. For a contemporary look, hang pendant lighting in a den or living room.

10.) Unexpected lighting. Add a table lamp on top of your kitchen countertop. A table lamp is surprisingly unexpected compared to a typical pendant or can lighting. It can also create warmth to the space and intimacy.

Transform your living spaces or your whole home by simply swapping out exisiting lighting for stylish fixtures. Instantly update your living spaces by implementing these inexpensive fixes when decorating or staging your home!

10 Best Tips to Proper Lighting When Staging Your Home! is a post from: Virtually Staging Properties

6 Simple Ways to Transform Tiny Spaces!

Some sellers in today’s market are downsizing from the big house in the suburbs to a simple and economical condo, ranch or bungalow style home.  How does one decorate smaller living spaces to be liveable?  How does one use home staging or virtual staging to sell their existing home? And how can I make my living spaces appear larger to potential buyers when selling my home? Don’t let the lack of square footage put a damper on your creativity.  Here are 6 Ways to Decorate Big while transforming those tiny spaces along with Staging Tips!

1.) Floor to ceiling curtains. Make your walls seem taller and windows appear larger by hanging custom curtains at a reasonable height close to the ceiling.  STAGING TIP: An outdated bathroom can look clean and luxurious by placing a shower rod higher up above the showerhead.  Hang a long shower curtain or a set of white sheer curtains to create the illusion in a snap!

2.) Mirrors. They come in all shapes and sizes.  The bigger the better on top of a fireplace mantel or in a bathroom so your space appears larger.  STAGING TIP: Place mirrors opposite a window and instantly create a scene while doubling the light in the room!

3.) Three Points of Light. You want to create multiple focus points while at the same time you also actually create depth and space.  So turn them on!  STAGING TIP: Our virtual staging team of professional stagers and designers always emphasize the 3 points of light rule.

4.) Create contrast. You want to ultimately give a sense of more space.  Use light colored furnishings or area rugs on dark stained flooring for example.  You don’t want your dark brown sisal rug blending into the color of your hardwoods.

5.) Don’t over-decorate. Keep it simple so the eye can travel and view things – too many small décor items scattered about a room is overwhelming. Let the room breathe.  STAGING TIP: A space will feel bigger if you leave all the knick knacks out!

6.) Take the Doors off. Doors take up space so get rid of them!  This works especially well for studio size condos.  Remove doorways and closet doors to allow better traffic flow.  STAGING TIP: Once again take advantage of curtains – much easier!

*Staged Photo courtesy of No Vacancy, Atlanta, GA

Create A Bigger Picture for Home Staging or Decorating is a post from: Virtually Staging Properties

How to Drive Buyer Traffic with Attractive Online Photos!

A picture is worth a thousand words and in this buyer’s market you have to grab the buyer’s attention online where they are viewing numerous homes and deciding which ones to visit.  A recent Realtor.com study showed that residential listings with multiple photos were viewed more often than listings with just one photo*.  They also mentioned that 72% of those homes received requests for more information*.

Photos of a vacant home show empty and unrecognizable rooms to potential buyers and simply will not help accentuate the true value of a property.  Traditional Staging or Virtual Staging will get your vacant property in marketable condition to sell while yielding more attractive online photos.  Your beautifully staged home helps buyers better understand what living spaces they are viewing online and how to layout a space.  Pricing is key in this buyer’s market BUT staging or virtual staging are effective marketing tools to get a vacant home sold faster!

Here are 3 social media websites where you can place professional online photos and video style virtual tours…

1.) Facebook. What a great way to get your property seen but don’t go overboard promoting to family and friends.  Show off the beautiful traditional or virtual staging of the home with your photos and don’t forget to post detailed information.  Talk about your homes features to really drive buyer interest!

2.)  Twitter. Recently this popular social site decided to be savvy like Facebook and add a visual images feature.  Link a photo with your tweet and it automatically goes into a photo gallery on your profile page.  What a great way to tweet about a listing or open house!   The more photos the better to drive buyer interest because who isn’t curious!

3.) YouTube. YouTube claims they receive 92 billion page views each month* – wow!  Virtual tours of real estate listings are becoming a huge hit on the site.  YouTube claimed that more than 13,200 real estate-related videos were uploaded to the site over the past year alone*.  Be smart about video and take time to learn about how to produce a quality video or check out applications that add music and video effects from using your photos.

This Article provided by Virtually Staging Properties, the pioneer of virtual staging.  Please review additional virtual home staging tips by clicking Virtual Home Staging Ideas

*Info sources: RealtorMagazine and Realtor.org

Photo courtesy of Virtually Staging Properties, virtual staging of a Living Room and Dining Room.

How Staging a Home Yields Attractive Online Photos is a post from: Virtually Staging Properties

Add Color to Your Home When Decorating or Staging Your Living Spaces!

Did you know color has psychological powers?  It can make a room appear larger or smaller, cozy, energetic or casual or even more formal.  Here are 6 Tips To Bring Color Into Your Living Spaces to make your home comfortable along with staging tips when planning to sell your home!

1.) Color is Fun. Be careful not to overdo it with bad color combinations.  An avacado green or pale peach looks pleasing with off white trim.  Try baby pink or Tiffany blue with a rich chocolate brown to acheive a mature, sophisticated look.  STAGING TIP: Go neutral with paint colors and add color through decorative pieces when virtual or traditionally staging a home.

2.) Higher Ceilings. Painting ceilings a pale pink or creamy white creates the illusion of higher ceilings in a room.  A high gloss laquer finish also adds ceiling height.

3.) Chalky White. White walls are clean in a matte finish.  Add yellow or lavender  in the mix for depth and sophistication.  STAGING TIP: White also says contemporary and works well for loft style or small condominiums.

4.) Warm Tones. Remember to use neutral tones when staging but reds and yellows are actually warm tones that are inviting.  Peach, brick and ochre colors are also warm but are best when decorating your home to make living spaces more liveable.

5.) Paint Test. Test out some bedsheets and pillows in the color that you are thinking about painting a room.  Live with them for a while just to be sure this is the right paint color – you may change your mind. You can purchase towels in the shade your thinking about painting a bathroom – test before you try!  Home Staging Tip: White, cream or khaki towels in a bathroom create a spa/hotel like appearance which is best for staging a home.

6.) Small vs. Large. Small rooms should have all 4 walls painted the same color and keep it light.  Larger rooms can get away with different colors but stick to the same color family.

We recommend these paint colors for staging a home: Benjamin Moore Antique White, Wickham Grey, Rice Paddy or Sherwan Williams Ground Ginger.

Hot new paint colors for decorating your home: Olympic Paints – Aqua Chippon, Dutch Boy Cathedral Gray, Pittsburg Paints Forsythia Blossom and Behr Maple Graze*.

We follow these same guidelines at Virtually Staging Properties with traditional home staging or virtual home staging!

*Info source: House Beautiful. Photo courtesy of Leigh S., Realtor, Staging by No Vacancy

The Power of Color When Home Staging is a post from: Virtually Staging Properties