Sound Off: Do you ever virtually stage listings? What are the pros and cons?

A: We almost always lean toward traditional staging first, since it creates a stronger in-person experience. But there are definitely situations where virtual staging just makes more sense from a cost or logistics standpoint.

Pros

Budget-Friendly: You’re usually spending a few hundred dollars instead of several thousand for full staging.

Customizations: You can show the same room in different ways, like a home office, nursery, or gym, which helps buyers see how the space could actually work for them.

Fast and Convenient: No scheduling, no moving furniture in and out. It’s a quick way to get a home looking market-ready.

Versatility: Especially helpful for spaces that are hard to visualize, like garages, ADUs, or unfinished areas, where buyers might otherwise overlook the potential.

Cons

Less Emotional Pull: It’s harder to recreate that feeling you get when you walk into a well-staged home in person.

Expectations vs. Reality: If it’s not clearly communicated, buyers can feel thrown off when the home looks different in person than it did online.

If traditional staging isn’t in the cards, virtual staging offers a strong way to help buyers see how a space could come together.

Leo Peak, Peak Family Real Estate Group at REAL Broker, 415-816-1469, leo@leopeak.com.

A: Yes, I use virtual staging. And when it works, it really works.

There are sellers who simply can’t stage — they’re already moved out, the budget isn’t there, or the timeline is too tight. Virtual staging fills that gap and transforms an empty room into something a...