Virtual Staging - Is it deceptive? Is it against the Code of Ethics?

I always advise clients to fully disclose any photos that are virtually staged. Sometimes the photos looks so good, its impossible to tell they are virtual. I am a Houston based founder of a virtual staging firm at whynothomes.com. We only charge $40 a photo. Test us out today, or shoot us a call. We are HAR local! :) -Zach

Virtual staging is now well developed and highly common. When vacant real estate will make for lifeless, uninspiring pictures, virtual staging can come to the rescue. Spotless agency makes well done furnished apartments. spotlessagency.com/work makes the space looks its best…

I haven’t got any idea about virtual staging until I came across with this service www.hasten.me I was absolutely stunned by realism of the images. I emailed them to ask for further information. The feedback was super fast. The prices appeared to be very attractive so I made my first order without any hesitation. The turnaround time is about 24 hours which seems so little for such a great job. Virtually staged apartment went off super quickly. Now i don’t even think about using real staging. Virtual staging is a true break-through. Have been using Hasten ever since.

I don't think virtual staging is deceptive at all as long as it is disclosed on each photo and the virtual furniture is an appropriate size. I think it would be deceptive if mini virtual furniture were used or if it were not disclosed to the consumer.

I see nothing wrong with it,many times the photos on MLS have furniture but the house is empty when we view. What I don't like seeing is that wide angle lens that makes 4' look like 14', now that's deceptive and I would like to see that smart marketing go away!!!

I think virtual staging is perfectly fine. I'd have a disclaimer just to be safe. But as mentioned, it's really no different than taking pictures of a home while it's furnished and then showing the property completely vacant.

Virtual Staging is not unethical. Consider this; Would it be unethical to post pictures of a home on the MLS with the owners furniture inside even though the owners have moved out and the home is now vacant? I dont think so. Our job as agents is to market the home in a manner that would quickly bring a qualified buyer, and virtual staging of a home is one such tool to accomplish this. Very Good Question!

I would be cautious and find out "how" it is done; I can see how it might be deceptive to a consumer. Furniture in a property, gives scale to the space. Consumers note that a "3-cushion" sofa fit in that space when they saw it. Or the breakfast room was big enough for an oval table that seated 6. The person who does your virtual staging ... are they putting in furniture "to scale" -- or just putting in things to make it look good? How do they scale it? I draw to scale and if I put furniture in a room I know dang well it will fit, but I'm not so sure about "photographically inserted" furniture. The photographer may know the room is 16' x 15' .. but does he know how big that wall piece is between the french doors where they've drawn in a nice buffet hutch? Thats the danger I see with "virtual". If its the sellers furniture or staged furniture, buyers can see it, touch it, and measure it. If it has been photographically inserted ... not so much. I would not want to be the agent who sold, for example, a family home only to find out the breakfast room did not actually accomodate the family-sized dining table that had been photographically inserted into the marketing materials. Be cautious .. ask the right questions.

I like virtual staging.. The MLS rules are okay with as well... Just make sure you make note to the consumer in your photo's, that it is a staged picture...

Here is a different between Home Staging vs Virtual Staging http://youtu.be/cWETvStRXOY