Surroundings Etc.

Partners in business, Cathy Hartley and daughter Elisa Bondy have a combined 27 years of creative experience. Both are Certified Staging Professionals who are committed to ongoing education in the fields of Home Staging and Decorating, and who have a detailed understanding of both the Real Estate market and current design trends.

What is Staging?

Home staging is the act of preparing a property for sale so as to reflect the home’s best features, while minimizing any elements which may detract from its broad appeal. Paramount in this process is effectively achieving the maximum Return on Investment for the seller.

Why Hire a Stager?

Everyone wants to ensure that they get the best value for their investment on any purchase, and buying a home is the largest purchase most of us will ever make. Thus this simple truth becomes even more definitive. Once you have decided to sell your property you want to guarantee that it will entice the most potential buyers at the same time as realizing the greatest amount of profit, as mentioned above. By hiring a Professional Stager, the home owner gains access to the type of expertise that can ensure this result. You are also gaining a competitive edge over other, unstaged properties in any type of Real Estate Market.

The 3 Step Process:

Surroundings Etc. operates using a 3 Step Process to effectively prepare your property for sale. The first step is the Consultation and Evaluation stage, at which point our Certified Staging Professionals will come to your property and do a thorough assessment of both the interior and the exterior. During the tour we will make a detailed list of recommendations that are specifically aimed at getting you top dollar for your home. The client will then receive a detailed, room-by-room breakdown of these suggestions that in turn lay out the 2nd and 3rd steps of the process - “the work “ involved in preparing the location for showcasing and, finally the staging / showcasing itself. Step 2 (or “the work”) encompasses any major cleaning, packing or decluttering, painting and/or repairs that may be necessary. Home owners are welcome and encouraged to complete this step on their own, however Surroundings Etc. can also supply a list of qualified contractors to complete these tasks in a professional and timely manner. The final step is the Showcasing of the property which will be completed by our Accredited Staging Professionals, and includes furniture placement and accessorizing aimed at highlighting the homes best features and maximizing the potential profit of the sale.

Decorating Services

Once you have sold for a profit, create personality and warmth in your new space by having Surroundings Etc. provide you with a customized decorating scheme for your home. We will work with you at every stage of the process to select flooring and paint options, furnishings and accessories, and suggest layouts that will instantly transform your space.

Home Staging Facts:

Maritz Research Staging Polls from 2005 and 2006

• 79% of sellers are willing to spend up to $5,000.00 to get their home ready for sale – working with the right staging consultant maximizes your Return on Investment.

• 63% of buyers are willing to pay more money for a home that is move in ready.

• 86% of those surveyed said storage space is important to potential buyers – effective staging maximizes space and spaciousness.

• The top three interior features for selling are freshly painted walls, organized storage space and current flooring – effective staging will highlight all three.

• 52% of buyers said the kitchen had the most significant impact on their purchasing decision.

• 79% of buyers indicated they would be willing to pay a premium for a home with an updated kitchen.

• Men (41%) were more likely to place a premium on updated décor than women (30%).

Procter & Gamble Survey 1999

• Elements that create 72% of the first impression inside the home are within the control of the seller – well trained staging consultants know how to show these to their best advantage.
  
  

Home Gain Survey 2003

• Homes that were staged sold in an average of 13.8 days.

• Un-staged homes sold in an average of 30.9 days.

• The staged homes realized on average a 6.4% increase over the list price.
  
  

Home Gain Survey 2008

• 2000 Real Estate Agents surveyed agreed that professionally staged properties realized an average of 349% Return on Investment.
  
  

CSP June 2006 Survey

• 98% of real estate professionals surveyed believed it was necessary to hire a professional home stager.