Hi, I’m Maijia Donovan — a Petersham-area Realtor® and Certified Home Stager serving Central Massachusetts, with a passion for old houses, vintage details, and the stories homes tell. I’m not your typical real estate agent; as a certified home stager with 21+ years in design and customer service, I’ve made it my mission to help homeowners transition with joy, not stress. I believe selling your home can be an empowering experience when you have the right partner (and a little bit of creative magic!).
As a Realtor® and Certified Home Stager serving Petersham, Barre, Oakham, Athol, Phillipston, Hardwick, Hubbardston, Templeton, New Salem, and the surrounding Central Massachusetts communities, I specialize in helping owners of vintage, historic, antique, and character-filled homes prepare, market, and sell with confidence.
Backed by eXp Realty’s national and global network, I combine hyper-local market knowledge with strategic staging, story-led marketing, and buyer-focused presentation to help each home stand out online and in person.
Born and raised in Massachusetts, I know Worcester County, the North Quabbin region, and the surrounding Central Massachusetts communities well — especially Petersham, Barre, Oakham, Athol, Phillipston, Hardwick, New Salem, and nearby towns. From charming Barre antique Colonials to peaceful country farmhouses in Petersham, I help buyers and sellers understand how local pricing, property condition, buyer demand, acreage, updates, staging, and presentation all work together. My love for this region runs deep, and I’m excited to share practical market guidance, local insight, and thoughtful advice for each home’s next chapter.
Recent local work includes helping clients prepare, market, and sell homes throughout Central Massachusetts, including Petersham and surrounding Worcester County/North Quabbin communities. My listing strategy blends pricing guidance, staging recommendations, buyer psychology, photography/video preparation, and story-led marketing designed for older, unique, and character-filled homes.
I’m a Certified Home Staging Professional (Home Staging Institute Certified Home Staging Expert) and proud owner of a staging and installation company, which means I have furniture, decor, and a skilled team at my fingertips to assist in every listing. My staging work has been featured on Instagram & Facebook and has helped homes sell up to 3X faster than the local average. I constantly stay up-to-date with design trends and buyer preferences – from mid-century modern furniture placement to the latest paint color palettes – so your home always looks magazine-worthy when it hits the market.
As a licensed Realtor®, I’ve built my business on education, transparency, and a touch of fun. Buying or selling a home is a big deal, but it doesn’t have to be a painful one! I guide my clients through each step – from pricing strategy to negotiations – with patience and clarity. And thanks to my staging background, I bring a creative problem-solving angle: I can help buyers visualize the potential in a fixer-upper and help sellers maximize the appeal of their home without major renovations. My goal is to turn what could be a stressful process into an enjoyable journey.
As part of eXp Realty, I’m backed by a national and global brokerage network while still offering the personal guidance of a local Central Massachusetts Realtor®. My clients get both local strategy and broader reach.
I chose the motto ‘Every Home Tells a Story’ because I truly believe the best homes aren’t just objects – they’re chapters of our lives. My own first home was a cookie-cutter contractor special home – the opposite of vintage charm. Having a love for all things vintage and learning that every detail matters, you can turn a blah house to an oh yeah house from sourcing antique artwork to arranging vintage thrifted finds in a fresh way. That experience inspired me to help other homeowners honor their home’s story while moving on to the next chapter. I bring that same love of detail and storytelling to every staging and sale I do.
When I’m not staging or selling homes, you can find me hunting for antique treasures at local flea markets with my husband, cuddling with my two cats (Ellie & Mr. Fluffy!), or rewatching Rehab Addict with a glass of wine in hand. I’m a proud cat-mom, human mom & wife, and a design nerd at heart, and I love that my job lets me be both.
Enough about me – this is really about you and your home. Whether you’re selling a quirky starter home or searching for your forever home, I’m here to listen to your story and help make your goals a reality. My clients often say they appreciate how I ‘get’ their style and make the process easy. I’d be honored to do the same for you.
Thinking of selling or just want to chat about design?
Reach out to me – I’d love to hear your home’s story.
