Sprague & Curtis Real Estate Blog

You've probably already done a lot to get your home ready to sell. There's deep cleaning, decluttering, and working on the curb appeal. But if you want to get your home sold as quickly as possible and for the best price, staging is a must. Our real estate agents can tell you, it really does make a difference!

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, staged homes can go for up to 10% more than comparable properties that aren't staged. Even if you're not an interior designer, don't worry. You can always hire a professional or try some of these easy DIY staging tips that can make a big difference.

• Don't be afraid to rearrange or repurpose. Once you've decluttered, you'll want to get rid of some furniture. Put it in storage, sell it, or get rid of it; just get it out of the house. Alternately, you may want to rent furniture instead of using your own. Rooms look bigger if they aren't overcrowded, and the size of the furniture makes a difference, too. Furniture should be a few inches off the wall and grouped. Living rooms and dining areas should look like an inviting social space, where you would want to have conversations with friends. Feel free to try pieces in different rooms.
  
  

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If you're looking for vintage or retro décor for your next home, Hallowell, Maine, has been a wonderful antiquing destination for decades. Their many unique antique stores have a wide variety of items big and small dating back from the 1800s and beyond. Our real estate agents at Sprague & Curtis Real Estate love getting lost in the relics of yesterday and have picked out a few of our favorite Hallowell antique shops for you to check out!

1. Hallowell Antique Mall - 191 Water St., Hallowell
   How could a stop at the antique capital of Maine not be on your antiquing list? The Hallowell Antique Mall has two buildings featuring 30 separate dealers that have thousands of treasures waiting to be found. In addition to a large selection of furniture, The Hallowell Antique Mall has a stunning collection of vintage clothing, military items, coins, tools, gifts and more. Swing on down to the largest antique store in town and discover what wonders await you near amazing Hallowell homes for sale.
   
   

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Buying a home is an exciting time for anyone, but the excitement and emotions for a first-time home buyer can be at an all-time high. From finding the perfect home to making your first offer, your emotions may get the better of you. It's important to channel those emotions into positive thoughts and use that energy to carry you through the buying process.  

Fortunately, our real estate agents know a thing or two about buying anxiety, so we've put together this handy guide for how to avoid home offer anxiety.

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No matter the season, there is nothing quite like settling in with a great book and being carried away to another place. Whether you're sitting by a fire in the winter or dipping your toes in the sand during the summer, the right book makes for the perfect companion. Living in the Hallowell area means that you don't have to buy your books online, because there are still plenty of great, local bookshops in the area where you can always pick up an excellent read. Our real estate agents are here to help you find the perfect read, with our guide to some of the best bookshops in the Hallowell area.

Shopping for the Best Books? Where to Find Your Next Read Near Hallowell

1. Merrill's Bookshop – 110 Water St., Hallowell
   Shopping for Hallowell homes for sale? Be sure to make a stop at Merrill's Bookshop, where you can find books on just about any topic under the sun. Merrill's Bookshop has been serving the area for more than 20 years, with a fantastic selection of books that span the centuries. Merrill's is proud to be an old-fashioned bookshop and is one of the best spots in the region to find rare, antique editions of classic books. The knowledgeable staff is happy to help you find the books you came for, and offer great tips on books that you may not have known about before visiting.

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Are you looking to add some crafty décor to your home? You're in luck, because there are several places near Manchester, ME that sell local crafts and artwork, with a few even offering classes. Our real estate agents recommend these four craft studios to update your home or hone your craft skills.

1. Stained Glass Express - 966 Western Ave., Manchester
   Located close to homes for sale in Manchester, the Stained Glass Express impresses visitors and regulars alike. The family-owned business features a studio, retail store, and their Glass Academy on site. They have an array of stained glass, mosaics, and etching supplies in stock. Their staff can restore or create any number of projects, such as residential cabinet doors. They have two large classrooms in their Glass Academy and host a variety of classes, ranging from beginner and children's classes to adult classes. They teach glass and glass blowing, to more advanced stain glass techniques. The Stained Glass Express is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
   
   

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