Realtors call it “virtual staging.” This blog post from the National Associate of Realtors (NAR) explains…
“Virtual staging is where you take an empty room and then digitally enhance it with furniture to make the space more inviting. For example, a stager may digitally add some artwork, chairs, tables and other items to liven up a vacant space, allowing buyers to see the potential of the home. The enhanced photos may then be used on the sales practitioner’s flyers, Web site, MLS and in advertisements for the listing.”
The whole point of this is to stage a home digitally at much less expense than actually bringing in new furniture and other items that don’t belong in the home.
NAR is aware that virtual staging needs to be handled with sensitivity. They’ve pointed out “virtual staging may be a violation of Article 12 of the Code of Ethics which requires that REALTORS® present a “true picture” in their advertising.”
I cant say I agree. Virtual staging is no different than staged pictures of a property that never actually existed in that state – using furniture or fixtures that aren’t present in the home and have never been there – is it really a “true picture” of the property?
There are a lot of ways to manipulate a photo, and some are much worse than others. If the end result of the manipulated picture is something you cant get to with a little paint a new couch, you’re probably taking it too far.
It may be much more troubling to remove something that doesn’t look good. A fine line has to be walked here, but it shouldnt be too hard to walk successfully.
Do you agree/disagree? Let us know in the comments.
Email the author at travis@manhartphotography.com or visit www.ManhartPhotography.com.
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