When AI Can Be a Great Tool to Help Sell a Listing

If you’ve ever taken a Home Staging Expert training class with me, you already know I’m not a big fan of ‘Virtual Staging’. I actually consider it a last resort. Something to be utilized only if and when all other means are out of reach, and only if executed properly. I’ve seen far too many AI listing photos that don’t take any Home Staging principles into consideration, use furnishings that are not proportionate for the space or that use styles not appropriate for the space. And then there’s the fact that potential buyers are still walking into a vacant listing, but that’s another blog post, entirely.

IMHO, there are a couple of exceptions that are actually GREAT excuses for using AI! One of those would be a dated home that could use some updates to show potential buyers how they could take it from frumpy to FAB! These listings can often be really awesome homes…I think ‘Hidden Gem’ is what Realtors like to call them…but buyers just have a hard time visualizing what a great find it is and how wonderful it could be.

Case in point: This cute little stucco home is in small town Minnesota. I drive past it often and have always thought it would look so much better with a few minor updates. It’s in a nice, well-established neighborhood in a lovely part of town. Sadly, it is currently under foreclosure. :( All the more reason to show potential buyers what a great home this could truly be with a little imagination and some elbow grease!

I personalized every single update to this listing using chatgpt.com, and no…I do not get a kickback for mentioning them. Using your staging skills, you can easily transform any listing into a ‘just imagine’ moment for potential buyers. My advice is not to let AI just do its own thing, or you’ll end up with something crazy. (Especially if you ask it to add plants to the landscape! They do have a tendency to overdo it and often create a jungle.) Be specific and restrain yourself from going too wild. You just want to show potential buyers how a few minor changes can make a big impact and prove to them this might just be the listing they want to call home!

BEFORE

The roof and windows were left as-is. Fresh new paint colors were chosen for the stucco, trim, foundation and gutters. AI cleaned up the steps and the walkway. A new front door, window box, and a few plants around the foundation were added to bring it all together and create some amazing curb appeal. This was not a major, hardcore makeover. For the cost of some fresh paint, a new front door, a bit of landscaping, and a good cleaning of the sidewalk, steps, and added edging…just look at what a beauty this turned out to be!

AFTER - AI-rendered by Home Staging Expert

If you are interested in learning more about this property, CLICK HERE.

If you have a listing you would like to see featured here with some AI updates, please contact lori@homestagingexpert.com.

There is no cost to you or the homeowner.

Heather Dodson - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Heather Dodson who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Heather on board!

Heather is with Keller Williams One

Area Served: Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, Triad

336-508-4442

Patti Curry - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Patti Curry who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Patti on board!

Patti is with Allen Tate Realtors

Area Served: Triad Area & Surrounding Counties/Cities

336-587-3144

Janina Austin - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Janina Austin who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Janina on board!

Janina is with Brava Realty--powered by eXp

Area Served: Piedmont Triad & Surrounding

336-708-3434

Betsy Schneider - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Betsy Schneider who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Betsy on board!

Betsy is with Betsy Schneider Real Estate

Area Served: Winston-Salem / Triad  North Carolina

336-655-3143

Gretchen Shelton-Raiford - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Gretchen Shelton-Raiford who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Gretchen on board!

Gretchen is with Aligned Real Estate Group at REAL Brokerage, LLC.

Area Served: Oak Ridge, Greensboro, Summerfield

336-552-6255

Jodi Stanley - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Jodi Stanley who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Jodi on board!

Jodi is with Tyler Redhead & McAlister Real Estate

Area Served: Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Summerfield

336-209-5634

Lindy Pope - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Lindy Pope who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Lindy on board!

Lindy is with Kylind Realty

Area Served: Greensboro and Surrounding Triad Area

336-233-6148 

Pauline Vail - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Pauline Vail who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Pauline on board!

Pauline is with Realty One Group Results

Area Served: Greensboro - High-Point - Winston-Salem

336-484-1002

Barbara Rathbone-Shoaf - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Barbara Rathbone-Shoaf who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Barbara on board!

Barbara is with Allen Tate

Area Served: Winston-Salem, Greater Triad Area, All of NC

336-341-9361

Terrie Lynn Booker - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Terrie Lynn Booker who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Terrie Lynn on board!

Terrie is with Booker Realty LLC

Area Served: Greensboro - High Point - Winston-Salem

336-207-5887

Natalie Klockars - HSE - North Carolina

Congrats to Natalie Klockars who received the HSE Certificate and Designation on April 23, 2025

We're so honored to have Natalie on board!

Natalie is with RE/MAX Realty Consultants

Area Served: Oakridge, Greensboro & Summerfield 

513-520-9261

Jada Wooden - Luxury HSE - Texas

Congrats to Jada Wooden who received the Luxury HSE Certificate and Designation and is now a Certified Luxury Home Staging Expert®

We're so honored to have Jada on board!

Jada is with Walzel Properties

Area Served: Houston & Surrounding

281-381-8188

Mark Standridge - Luxury HSE - Texas

Congrats to Mark Standridge who received the Luxury HSE Certificate and Designation and is now a Certified Luxury Home Staging Expert®

We're so honored to have Mark on board!

Mark is with Compass

Area Served: Houston’s close in neighborhoods

832-998-4838

Viki Peltier - Luxury HSE - Texas

Congrats to Viki Peltier who received the Luxury HSE Certificate and Designation and is now a Certified Luxury Home Staging Expert®

We're so honored to have Viki on board!

Viki is with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene

Area Served: Houston & Surrounding

713-492-9456

Lisa McFee - Luxury HSE - Texas

Congrats to Lisa McFee who received the Luxury HSE Certificate and Designation and is now a Certified Luxury Home Staging Expert®

We're so honored to have Lisa on board!

Lisa is with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene

Area Served: North of Houston and East of Highway 290

346-331-7412

Angela Kraushaar - Luxury HSE - Texas

Congrats to Angela Kraushaar who received the Luxury HSE Certificate and Designation and is now a Certified Home Staging Expert®

We're so honored to have Angela on board!

Angela is with Coldwell Banker Realty

Area Served: Katy & Surrounding

713-253-5678

Patricia ‘Tish’ Hunt - Luxury HSE - Texas

Congrats to Patricia ‘Tish’ Hunt who received the Luxury HSE Certificate and Designation and is now a Certified Home Staging Expert®

We're so honored to have Tish on board!

Patricia is with Martha Turner - Sotheby’s International Realty

Area Served: Houston & Surrounding

281-630-8865

Mariam Hejazi - Luxury HSE - Texas

Congrats to Mariam Hejazi who received the Luxury HSE Certificate and Designation and is now a Certified Home Staging Expert®

We're so honored to have Mariam on board!

You can find Mariam’s Profile Listing at www.homestagingexpert.com

Marvelous in Houston

Area Served: Houston & Surrounding

832-639-1247

Gloria Gowans - Luxury HSE - Texas

Congrats to Glori Gowans who received the Luxury HSE Certificate and Designation and is now a Certified Home Staging Expert®

We're so honored to have Gloria on board!

You can find Gloria’s Profile Listing at www.homestagingexpert.com

Coldwell Banker Realty

Area Served: Houston & Surrounding

281-467-2861