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We all know that there is a high demand for rental property. According to the United States Census Bureau, more than a third of US households live in rental housing. But with high demand also comes increased supply from local competitors. The pressure is on now more than ever to make your property stand out. When looking for great new residents, a great resource is to market rental properties with virtual staging saving you time, money, and labor.
Virtual staging a property is cheaper than physically staging, which will cost around $2,200 per month. It’s also faster, taking only a couple of business days as opposed to a week or more. Choosing a furniture template online is less stressful, too, than hauling a sectional into your property. You can also reuse these images each time you’re looking for a new renter. That means you’ll reap the benefits of virtually staging your property for years to come.
PlanOmatic knows you have specific needs for your property. That’s why with our virtual staging service, you can choose a specific style, or mix and match pieces.
Below you’ll find 10 examples of virtually staged rental homes and why they worked:
1. Extend Living Space
Virtual staging uses the outdoor area of this rental to extend the living space. This property will now be more attractive to potential tenants who love to grill, read a good book outside, or host parties. This strategy especially helps rentals with small square footage appear larger.
Showing the full potential of outdoor space will attract more tenants. You can even charge a higher rent once you display the real-world value of a patio.
2. Maximize Seating
Virtual Staging by PlanOmatic
Your rental should meet the needs of all sizes of families. Common areas like the living room need to feel inviting for all occasions. This virtually staged living room has enough space to host a movie marathon, a book club meeting, and everything in between.
3. Faux Move-In Ready
Virtual Staging by PlanOmatic
Even if your rental isn’t photo-ready, you can begin marketing today. With virtual staging, you can fake it til you make it. This tool helps tenants know what the room will look like on move-in day.
4. Debunk Depth Perception
Virtual Staging by
PlanOmatic
Let’s face it: the room on the left looks small. But with virtual staging, the renter can see that this room makes a great spare bedroom. There is space for a bed, two nightstands, and even a full six-drawer dresser. Without virtual staging, tenants would question the size of this room.
5. Create a Neutral Color Palette
Most tenants need inspiration when it comes to interior design. When viewing a staged room, tenants can see the possibilities come to life. In this example, the all-grey furniture accompanied by a neutral accent complements the dark wood flooring and kitchen cabinets. Plus, using a neutral color palette appeals to all tenants.
6. Upgrade Appliances
New appliances attract potential tenants. These appliances bring a new life to a room. Renters also know that recently-upgraded appliances are less likely to break down. Even if you’re still transitioning to new appliances, give renters a feel for what the room will look like once you upgrade.
7. Inspire Storage Options
Rentals tend to be short on storage space. Many properties lack a garage or additional storage closets. Virtual staging allows tenants to think of creative storage solutions. This not only convinces tenants to sign the lease but also increases their satisfaction once they move in.
8. Don’t Forget The Spare Bedroom
Many tenants use spare bedrooms as a child’s bedroom or playroom. Virtually staging allows potential tenants to envision what that space will look like for their kids. Of course, not every renter will have children, but families with children make up 33% of total renters.
9. Luxurious Vibes
Luxury apartments are making a name for themselves in the multi-family housing sector. In 2017, the construction of luxury rental properties rose to 79% of all apartment construction in the United States. The search term ‘luxury’ was the 7th most popular among renters last year, ranking above ‘furnished’ and ‘washer & dryer’. It is more valuable now than ever before to have virtual staging pieces that potential renters consider high-end.
10. Showcase An Open Floor Plan
Open floor plans make a rental’s square footage appear larger. Recent studies show that 70% of recent and prospective home shoppers prefer a home with either a completely or partially open kitchen-family room arrangement. An open floor plan allows many renters to imagine how they’ll use space to entertain guests and other activities.
You want tenants to see all the possibilities in your rental property. Physically staging your property is expensive, time-consuming, and has to be reorganized for each new tenant search.
Virtual staging allows you to reuse images for as long as they properly represent your rental. There is no need to carry heavy furniture into the property. If you are transitioning to new appliances or in the process of renovation, market rental properties with virtual staging to allow future residents to imagine those improvements long before they’re finished.
In a crowded and ever-changing rental market, give potential tenants every opportunity to see how special your property is.
