Do you know the difference between Virtual Staging and Virtual Enhancements?

The RAE’s Rules & Regulations State:

6.01 VIRTUAL STAGING & ENHANCEMENT OF PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPHS/IMAGES

When using virtually staged property images, images of a show home/show suite, or artist’s renderings the listing agent must disclose this fact in the public remarks. No images that are virtually enhanced may be used on the Board’s MLS® System.

In summary:

Go ahead and use virtually staged photos, but make sure you disclose that in your remarks.
As far as virtually-enhanced photos, unfortunately, they are not allowed on the RAE’s MLS® System.

VIRTUAL STAGING

Virtual Staging means just that. It uses advanced technology to help buyers visualize what the home could look like fully furnished.

Just as hiring a professional home stager can make a property more appealing to a potential buyer, hiring a professional virtual stager can complement your photos. Like a home stager who goes into a property to fill an empty home with furniture, appliances and other pretties, a virtual stager does the same by editing your photos to add these items virtually.

So go ahead, virtually stage away! BUT WAIT. There is one catch to fall within the RAE’s Rules & Regulations… you must disclose this in your public remarks.

VIRTUAL ENHANCEMENTS

Unlike Virtual Staging, Virtual Enhancement means virtually changing, adding, or augmenting features on property photos that would materially affect the property value. This could include adjusting walls or changing the layout, locations, size or type of windows.

Have you ever had photos taken with a wide-angle lens? That would be an example of virtual enhancing. That wide-angle lens is making a room appear larger than it is. Although the photos look sharp, it is misleading to the public when they are searching on REALTOR.ca.

Some other examples of virtual enhancing could include:

Covering up eyesores like holes in a wall or exposed wiring;
Upgrade damaged and/or outdated flooring;
Add or enhance scenic views and/or windows that do not currently exist;
Swap out those dated kitchen countertops for chic granite