BACK IN the boom, staging properties for sale was so common that you couldn’t go to a viewing without finding some strategically-placed Jo Malone toiletries in the bathroom or tripping over a piece of statement furniture. These days, for many vendors, staging is not an option.

Siobhan Lynam (above left) of Lynam Auctioneers, has come up with a solution, called virtual staging, which she says is a powerful tool for agents and allows buyers to look past dated décor or cramped living space and see a digitally improved version of the house for sale. It is also possible to use the software to show how the property could look with an extension.

“Our experience is that many potential buyers come to view well-situated properties, yet are hesitant to pursue their interest further because they can’t envisage it with modernised layouts and decor.”

According to Lynam, interior designer Belinda Rohan (above right) will be on hand during viewings to discuss the key aspects of the redesigned interior with potential buyers. This all sounds great in theory. While virtual renovations are all very well, we wonder what the chances are of them translating into reality given the reluctance, or should we say refusal, of the banks to give extra funding for improvements.