The ROI of Virtual Home Staging: Numbers, Data and Facts for Agents

Conclusion of the comparison: Virtual home staging reduces initial marketing costs by up to 95% and completely eliminates ongoing costs. These savings make it an extremely attractive tool to maximize potential returns.

“The biggest challenge is: Nine out of ten prospective buyers cannot imagine, when entering an empty property, what their life would look like there. We close this imagination gap. We solve the problem for the buyer and thus create a direct added value for the seller.”

Michael Racle, CEO Visualista

Sales price & speed – What do current data and studies show?

Lower costs are only one side of the coin. The true ROI is reflected in sales success. International studies and market data impressively demonstrate the impact of professionally staged properties:

• Sales speed: According to reports, professionally staged properties sell up to 73% faster than non-staged properties. A faster sale also reduces ongoing costs for the owner—from mortgage interest and insurance to property taxes and utilities. Every month that a property sits idle on the market results in direct financial losses.
• Sales price: Various studies, including those by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), show that home staging can lead to a higher sales price of an average of 6% to 10%. Through emotional appeal and professional presentation, a higher perceived value is created.
• Online interest: Initial buying interest today arises online. High-quality, furnished images receive significantly more clicks and interactions on real estate portals, increasing the number of qualified inquiries.

These figures show: The small investment in virtual home staging has a disproportionately positive effect on the two most important metrics in real estate sales.

Case study: How virtual home staging specifically increases ROI

Theory and studies are important, but a practical example makes the benefit tangible. Let’s consider a typical scenario:

• Property: An empty 4-room apartment in a Swiss suburban municipality.
• Original estimate: 950,000 CHF, based on location and condition.
• Problem: The empty rooms and a special floor plan in the living area made it difficult for prospective buyers during viewings to imagine where to place their furniture. The question “Where do we put our sofa?” became the decisive hurdle.

Investment in virtual home staging:

• Selection of 5 key images (living room, master bedroom, children’s room, office, dining area).
• Costs with a professional partner like Visualista: approx. 400 – 600 CHF.

Result:

• The newly designed images solve the floor plan issue by presenting an attractive and functional furnishing option. The rooms appear spacious, modern, and inviting.
• The online listing generates 50% more inquiries in the first two weeks.
• The property is sold within a month for 985,000 CHF—a price increase of 35,000 CHF.

ROI calculation:

(35,000 CHF additional profit / 500 CHF investment) * 100 = an ROI of 6900%, plus the time and cost savings due to the rapid marketing.

When is virtual home staging particularly worthwhile?

Virtual staging is a flexible tool that provides a decisive advantage in many situations. The ROI is particularly high in the following cases:

• Vacant properties: Empty rooms often appear smaller and soulless. Virtual staging fills them with life and helps buyers recognize dimensions and possible uses.
• Properties in need of renovation: Instead of old furniture or worn floors, you can show a modern, attractive vision of the property after renovation. This increases imagination and willingness to pay.
• Hard-to-market floor plans: An unusual layout or a room that’s difficult to furnish can deter buyers. Virtual staging presents an elegant and functional solution and answers furnishing questions before they become obstacles.

New-build projects: Visualize different interior styles for different target groups even before the property is completed. This accelerates off-plan sales. Learn more about the future of property viewing.

Checklist & decision aids for agents

Use the following checklist to decide whether virtual staging is suitable for your next project and to convince your clients of its added value.

Your internal checklist:

• Is it a vacant, unfavorably furnished, or renovation-needy property?
• Is the budget for physical staging limited?
• Is the marketing timeline tight?
• Does the property appeal to a target group that values a modern living ambiance?
• Is the floor plan suitable to gain attractiveness through clever furnishing?

Your talking points for owners:

• Minimal investment, maximum return: “We invest a few hundred francs to potentially achieve a sale price tens of thousands of francs higher and a quicker close.”
• Create an emotional connection: “We help buyers fall in love with their future home instead of just seeing empty walls.”
• Secure a competitive advantage: “Our online presentation will stand out from the crowd and attract more qualified prospects.”

FAQs on ROI and virtual home staging

Here we answer frequently asked questions that agents ask us.

Can I deduct virtual home staging for tax purposes?

As a rule, expenses for sales promotion, which include home staging, are considered deductible marketing costs. However, we strongly recommend clarifying this in detail with your fiduciary or tax advisor, as the regulations can vary by canton.

Is virtual staging sensible for every property, or are there exceptions?

Für die grosse Mehrheit der Immobilien, insbesondere im mittleren Preissegment, ist der Nutzen enorm. Ausnahmen können Luxusimmobilien sein, die bereits mit hochwertigem Designermobiliar ausgestattet sind, oder Objekte, bei denen massive bauliche Mängel im Vordergrund stehen, die durch eine Möblierung nicht kaschiert werden können.

How does virtual home staging compare to DIY solutions?

While simple apps and DIY tools exist, they lack the professionalism needed for real ROI. A professional provider like Visualista guarantees photorealistic quality, precise light and shadow conditions, and a cohesive stylistic concept created by interior design experts. An amateurish implementation can be off-putting and have the opposite effect. ROI is generated through quality that builds trust.

What results can I realistically expect in terms of sales duration and sales price?

Based on the studies mentioned and our experience, a reduction in sales time by 30–50% and an increase in sales price by 5–10% is a realistic range. The exact success naturally depends on the property, location, and market situation. However, virtual staging is a strong lever to achieve the best possible outcome.

How quickly can I expect the finished staged images after commissioning?

This is one of the greatest advantages of a professional partner. Thanks to our permanent team of 10 photographers and a specialized editing team, Visualista guarantees delivery of the final, virtually furnished images within 72 hours, usually even faster. This speed enables maximum agility in your marketing.

Conclusion – For whom and when does virtual home staging pay off?

Virtual home staging is more than just a cosmetic measure. It is an intelligent, data-driven sales tool with an exceptionally high return on investment.

It pays off particularly for:

• Real estate agents who want to sell their properties faster and more profitably.
• Property sellers who want to achieve maximum impact with a minimal budget.
• The marketing of vacant, renovation-needy, or hard-to-sell properties.

If you want to take your property presentations to the next level and actively increase sales success, virtual home staging is the most cost-effective and fastest way to get there.