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Why would a seller pay for staging when they can just virtually stage instead?

I completely understand why virtual staging feels like a no-brainer at first glance, especially if your home is empty and already clean. AI has advanced to the point where almost anyone can enhance photos of an empty room to make it more appealing to buyers, often at little to no cost. That said, it’s important to remember that staging is meant to deliver two distinct benefits to sellers. The first is marketing: eye-catching photos that are compelling enough to motivate buyers to schedule a showing—something that’s becoming increasingly difficult. The second is experiential: creating a showing environment that feels welcoming, polished, and design-forward so buyers can easily imagine themselves living there.

Virtual staging can absolutely deliver strong photos. We’re long past the days of awkward, obviously fake images, and today’s tools can create staging that complements nearly any home style. However, the ideal showing is one where buyers walk in and say, “This looks even better in person than it did online.” When buyers view virtually staged photos and then arrive at an empty house, many feel misled or that their time has been wasted—and those negative feelings often become associated with the home itself. The reality is that a clean, furnished home will almost always show better than an empty one, and most buyers actually feel that furniture helps rooms appear larger and more functional.

Finally, when choosing between virtual and physical staging, sellers should be aware that as of January 1st, any Realtor who uses virtually staged or digitally altered photos in an MLS listing is required to also include an original, unedited image. So while virtual staging can still inspire buyers and help them visualize future potential, it can no longer be used to entice buyers to visit the home without clearly showing its current condition upfront.

Kari Carson

DRE #01903828

(818) 424-5537

kari@karicarson.com

Neighborhoods Served: La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Glendale, Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Greater LA area

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“How important is having a pool when selling a home in La Cañada Flintridge and how much value do buyers place on it?”

This is an excellent question that does not always have a clear answer. It has been my experience that buyers either desperately want a pool or they strongly do NOT want a pool. That being said, both types of buyers are generally willing to compromise if the house itself fits all their other needs.  Remember that the overall value of the property is going to be determined more by the condition and marketing of the home itself than it will be by the inclusion or absence of a pool. 

The biggest factor that influences the added value of a pool is the size and configuration of your lot. If you put a pool in but are able to keep a large area for grass or landscaping, then buyers who don’t want a pool may still be willing to move forward. The same is true for buyers specifically looking for a pool – if it is easy to install a pool in the future and they love the house, they will likely still purchase it without an existing pool.  All this said, neither type of buyer will be happy if the pool takes up the majority of your usable outdoor space.

I recommend taking some caution if you are considering installing a pool specifically to add value to your property. The cost of a pool installation varies so wildly depending on the size and design that it is difficult to say whether you will make a profit or even get a dollar for dollar return when selling.  Currently the inventory in La Canada is so low that the lack of a pool isn’t likely to overly influence a buyer unless something about the lot makes it extremely difficult to install one in the future.  

If instead you are planning on staying in your house for at least five years and plan to use the pool often, the value it adds for your own enjoyment will likely outweigh any concerns about the rate of return on your investment. As long you are careful about the design and location of the pool, the overall value of the home will definitely increase. 

Kari Carson

DRE #01903828

(818) 424-5537

kari@karicarson.com

Neighborhoods Served: La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Glendale, Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Greater LA area

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Buying a house is generally considered one of the top three most stressful events in a person’s life (behind death of a family member and loss of job), so it can easily put a strain on even the most solid partnerships. It is very common for one partner to feel that they have to move forward on a house that they don’t love in order to make their partner happy, which often results in a cancelled escrow and frustration all around. Here are some tips to avoid this scenario:

See houses together. Even if one partner has a lot more free time than the other, it is extremely important that you see houses at the same time rather than one person “weeding out” unwanted houses on behalf of the other. Seeing homes that ultimately don’t work is not a waste of time! It is actually an important part of the process because it enables you to better recognize the houses that could actually work for you. I recommend seeing the full range of properties in your price range to get a better understanding of the value in the neighborhood and to learn more about what you are both willing to compromise on. 

Agree on location. If the perfect house in your ideal location is out of your budget, you need to make the decision together to either compromise on the house, or to consider other neighborhoods. Take the time to drive together through any areas you are considering and get a feel for where you will be shopping, where your kids would be going to school, ect. If you have any concerns about safety, do research online ahead of time and drive through at different times of day.  This should all be done before you consider making an offer on a house. Come to an agreement about how long you’d like to stay in your home and whether you would be comfortable living in a second-choice area with the knowledge that you are working towards trading up in the future to a forever house in your favored location. 

Research Renovations ahead of time. I’ve been in many situations where one partner decides they want to buy a “fixer” and tries to convince the other partner that they can live in the home while doing a major renovation. If you are seriously considering this scenario, you should have a detailed discussion about what type of remodeling your budget and sanity allows for. Don’t make assumptions about the price or timeframe for completing work– make sure you fully research your options ahead of time. And keep in mind that unless you are using a construction loan, which requires very specific documentation and timelines for completing work, you cannot simply tack on an additional $40,000 to your home loan to pay for remodeling. You’ll need to have a plan for accessing funds to pay for the work after you close on your home. 

By communicating openly, exploring homes together, and agreeing on priorities ahead of time, couples can turn the stress of house hunting into a shared journey toward finding the right home.

Kari Carson

DRE #01903828

(818) 424-5537

kari@karicarson.com

Neighborhoods Served: La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Glendale, Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Greater LA area