Design by Avatar: Redecorate or Sell Your Home in 3-D

Until recently homeowners had two choices if they wanted to visualize changes to their home in 3-D: make use of their imagination or hire the services of a professional.

But now there exists a wide range of web-based and mobile tools to help visualize your home in three dimensions. Don't make the mistake to think this is all about rearranging furniture, either. Three-dimensional representation of your home can help sell it, too.

"Floor plans are an absolutely critical part of selling a home in the internet age." says Joseph Himali, founder of Best Address, a brokerage firm specializing in luxury real estate in the Washington, D.C. region. "Interactive floor plans are the latest level of convenience. They help buyers imagine themselves in the property and that helps them make the 'buying decision.'"

I took two web-based applications and one mobile app for a design test drive: Homestyler.com, Floorplanner.com, and Home 3D.