There's been a lot of chatter in the staging and real estate community about "virtual staging" so I thought I would give my two cents on the matter.  While virtual staging has been around for several years, it's making a bit of a comeback with the popularity of e-design and there is confusion between these two terms.

Before I jump in, let's be clear on WHAT virtual staging is and what it isn't...

Definition of Virtual Staging - ​Virtual staging is when photos of rooms in a home are altered and/or digitally edited to add/remove furnishings, features or paint color, for the benefit of online marketing in the multiple listing service (MLS) so that home buyers will be inclined to come to the home.

Some real estate agents are turning to virtual staging to save a buck and get "digitally staged photos" even though the rooms themselves are not staged.​  The photos are altered.

Virtual staging is VERY different than e-design in that e-design images are not meant to go on the ​MLS but used to show clients a design plan or mood board in a space before they commit to design purchases.

In fact, I'm doing a free, live webinar on "How to Make Money with E-Design" that I would love for you to join me on...​

Do you see the difference there?  

Virtual staging on the other hand is about staging the rooms DIGITALLY, so the photos online look good and buyers will be attracted to the space.

I see people confuse e-design and Virtual Staging, so I want to be very clear that when I talk and train on e-design, I'm not advocating virtual staging but teaching a wonderful way for designers and stagers to use technology to provide a visual to clients for their design plan (not MLS photos).  

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So...now that you are clear on that, let's talk about why virtual staging is probably NOT a good idea for agents or stagers to use or advocate.

Here are 5 reasons why virtual staging is a bad idea...​

Technology has come a long way in this regard BUT by in large, even the BEST virtually staged photos have a bit of a cartoony or out-of-scale feel.  Watch my Facebook Live video below to see the example photos I compare to real life staged photos.

Let's be honest...buyers don't make offers based on MLS photos alone.  In fact, they view on average around 12 homes before making that coveted offer.  Do you think the buyer will be happy to walk into a home that was virtual staged only to find it looks completely different?  I like to describe virtual staging as the ultimate, in-person, buyer let down...

Like I said, virtual staging is not new to our industry.  When we discussed the pros and cons of virtual staging in Stagers Connect (our private, social network for HSR grads), there were several negative stories told how buyers felt deceived and lied to when entering the home.  Buyers had an expectation and felt betrayed by the agent when the rooms were clearly digitally mastered to appear better than in real life.

One stager who was a real estate agent commented that if it's not completely disclosed in the MLS commentary, an agent who uses virtually staged photos could be in violation of Article 12 of the Realtor Code of Ethics which speaks to this practice.

Okay, I can't just stop at 4 reasons since this one is a doozy...​

A well staged space is meant to evoke strong emotions in the home buyer.  Staging is more about merchandising the space for that emotional connection that comes when the buyer wants to make an offer.  While digitally altered photos could appeal online to the buyer, when they go to the space in person...that emotion is completely lacking due to the fact that the space is bare.  

If you're a home stager trying to have a discussion with your agent partners on why virtual staging could hurt their business, I hope this post helped out a bit.  I hate to bash anything or be negative about a service but this is my opinion on the matter based on years of experience with that service. 

While it could be more affordable to an agent to virtually stage rather than pay for ​actual staging...the actual cost to their business and reputation is probably not worth it.  I would recommend leaving the space bare before putting up photos that create a false hope in the buyers personally...

I recently did a Facebook Live on this subject, so here's the video of that event...

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Minnesnowta Dreamin'

If you missed my "How to Make 2019 Awesome" webinar last week, then you didn't get to read an inspiring story I shared about a Minneapolis home stager who pursued her dream, this time last year.  Here is Laura's story, as well as her recent staging photos...go Laura!

I worked as a Radiology Technician for 3 years with Twin Cities Orthopedics until I took the plunge to pursue my dream of owning a business in design...

It was actually my sister that gave me the idea of home staging. She went to a tent show at the Minneapolis Convention Center and ran into a lady that was a home stager.   She went through the HSR training and raved about it, so my sister happened to get all of her personal information for me to reach out. She thought very highly of HSR and told me to really consider it if I wanted a career change.

It wasn't a tough decision for me to make. It all felt right...

Looking back, it's funny how I think I learned more about business in the HSR training than I did in my 4-year Bachelor's Degree in Business Management.

They didn't teach me the processes it takes to start your own business, such as how to get an LLC, EIN, build a website, properly network, etc. Not only do I feel confident now in my business processes from the training I received from HSR, but I feel like I can conquer ANYTHING that comes my way because I have the resources and fellow stagers that I've met along the way right at my disposal.

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It's the start of 2019, so today I look at my business as this is my year. I want to go out there and smile more, challenge myself, take risks, set new goals and make a change not only for myself and my business, but for the homeowners I have the chance to work with.

I love helping people sell their homes or redesign their current home.  I love the looks on their faces when they see their home staged for the first time, but I love it even more when the home sells fast and for top dollar.  If I can make people happy by selling their home or designing a space that better suits their lifestyle that they look forward coming home to, then I'm doing my job.

What Will Your 2019 Story Look Like?

Could “ Home Staging" be a Career for You?

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Don’t miss this..!!

• 7 Key Questions to Ask Yourself
  
• What the Cost is to Starting this Business
  
• Do You Have the Personality for This Industry?
  
• How You Know If You Have the Design Talent?
  

Watch it Now »

Having company over for Christmas?  Here are my favorite, downloadable, Christmas decoration "hacks" that are super easy to create, look beautiful and fit the budget...

We used our E-Design Boards to create visual examples of easy ways you can decorate for Christmas on a budget.  Feel free to download these Guides and use the shopping links (or visit your local stores that are listed) to get these essentials.

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7 Quick Christmas Decoration Hacks You Will Love

As you can see from the image above, it's not hard to repurpose a lot of what you already own to create a more festive space.  It's the little details in these quick projects that bring a smile to my face.  Click on the image below to download the full Guide with Shopping links...

Want to get more inspired with some vintage, trending, holiday updates?  Here's 5 more holiday decorating updates that  are oh so festive...

Buffalo plaid is trending this holiday and you saw it in my last post in pillow covers and a stuffed reindeer but why not as a table runner centerpiece too?  Vintage items are also trending, so the printables, red truck and wooden ladder decor will fit right in with this year's nostalgic Christmas...

Maybe you just need some guidance on how to make your dining room table sparkle.  Here's some curated dining table centerpiece ideas to inspire you...

Enjoy these free downloads and enjoy your holiday season!

Have you ever opened up your holiday decor boxes and wondered where the heck do those items go in your home OR why you even bought them in the first place?   

Or maybe you're like me and you have three bins of holiday decor that you have no idea how to use but can't bring yourself to throw away?  

All three of these things went through my head​ as I opened my holiday decor bins with high hopes...only to find some really crappy, Christmas decor...ugh.   It was definitely time for an update!

That's why I'm so excited to share with you my incredibly talented Expert E-Designer's wonderfully easy holiday decor updates on a budget with shopping links in the form of TWO FREE DOWNLOADS!​  

Gina is our staff e-designer who curates most all of our boards and is the go-to person for shopping on a budget.  She got very carried away curating holiday design ideas and boards for our Expert E-Designer training that I thought were too cool not to share.

Here's a list of some "Must-Have" Christmas Decor that quickly updates your look and is easy on the pocket book...

All of these holiday decor items are extremely versatile, classic and budget friendly.  In this post and in my next post I'm going to show you how to use these items to create vignettes, update your tablescapes, create gorgeous centerpieces and more. 

Do you have some empty spaces in your home that can use holiday cheer?  Make these 3 holiday vignettes on the fly using some of the items in your guide above...

Enjoy these free downloads and stay tuned for more holiday design hot tips!  

I absolutely LOVE this time of year because it brings a season of reflection, gratefulness, togetherness and helps me to refocus on what's important for next year.  Fall is also the perfect time of year to bring the outdoors in and make your house feel like home.  In the past, I've told you about my unconventional Thanksgiving traditions but here are other ways I embrace the season.

Here are 6 hot tips for getting your "Fall On":-)​

In my Expert E-Designer training we added a new living space board that really embodies the colors of fall:

Inspired by the warmth and vibrant colors of Fall (as well as our Colors of the Year 2019), our newly launched E-Design board captures the ambiance of the season. Orange, brown and creamy colors are balanced in this living room space to create a warm and a welcoming atmosphere.

The super popular, Pottery Barn sofa and chairs provide a nice neutral place where the autumn pillows can make their statement (and you can swap them out easily from season to season). The canvas tree art and birch wood logs are a great way to invite the outdoors in and capture the feeling of fall throughout the space.

I get it, sometimes life has a way of beating us down.  I can get hundreds of client compliments and then there's that one negative that can HAUNT me.  How do I refocus?  I think about all the good stuff in my business and life.  I focus on simply...being grateful.

Sometimes this means I get off of social media and don't watch the news for a few days to re-calibrate.  It's okay that I'm not instantly responding to Facebook requests.

November is the time to rethink what I'm doing in a positive way as I prepare for a holiday of Thanksgiving then Christmas.  

Since I don't have a lot of storage space in my home, I love the idea of taking my existing decor (that I love) and redecorating it for the season.  HSR Grad Kellie Carroll of KMC Redesign Studio shared these photos of how she redecorated her table for the fall...I LOVE IT!

 You can create a unique and beautiful succulent topped pumpkin arrangement in minutes (or buy one on Etsy for $75). With a pumpkin or gourd, a variety of small succulents, tacky glue and some moss, you can create this arrangement for your home for under $25. This beauty can be used through Thanksgiving and can be replanted in another container for the next season.

HSR Grad, Kristine Ginsberg of Elite Staging and Interiors​ shared this post on Instagram of her pumpkin centerpiece:

BEFORE Staging using Hygge

Layered rugs, sheepskin furs on chairs, knobby pillows, wood in a basket ready to furn and a cozy throw over the couch literally make me want to sink into this home!

Here are some of my favorite Amazon throws to complete your fall look:

Click to go to Amazon

Click to See on Amazon

Click to go to Amazon

Out of all of our 5 senses, the sense of smell gives us the most nostalgia.  Create that nostalgia for your family this season by using fall candles.  Fall has it's own intoxicating smells and scents of the season.

My favorite candles are at Anthropologie because they smell amazing and last forever.

Click for Anthropologie Source

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I hope you enjoy your entire holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's and spoil yourself a bit. 

For more on how I spend my Thanksgiving holiday, check out my Unconventional Thanksgiving post below...