Category Archives: Lifestyle

RNR’s Rock Star of the Month: Regina Ramos

It’s no coincidence that RNR also stands for “Rock ‘N Roll” … because we think all of our agents are rock stars! Each month we will feature one of our team members to find out more about them and why they joined the biz. Next up is Regina Ramos, a first-time homebuyer specialist with a passion for helping her community!

Q: How long have you been in the business?

A: I was first licensed in 2002, but really amped up my activity in 2015.

Q: What’s your specialization?

A: I enjoy working with first-time buyers!

Q: What is your dream home or favorite house style?

A: Victorian homes – I love the old architecture.

Q: What is your favorite thing about living in the Twin Cities?

A: All the lakes and parks. I’m also a fan of the performing arts and the unique multicultural experience.

Q: What would you say is the Twin Cities’ best kept secret?

A: Downtown Minneapolis has the longest continuous skyway system, spanning 69 blocks!

Q: Are you involved with any community organizations?

A: I volunteer with Meal on Wheels and Friends of the Elderly.

Q: What are your hobbies/interests?

A: Travel, biking, horseback riding, fishing – basically anything outdoors…but only during the summer!

Q: What is your favorite travel destination?

A: Jamaica and Mexico. My dream trip would be to Greece.

Q: Do you have any hidden talents?

A: I’m a pretty good painter. And I think I’m a good cook!

Q: What are your favorite sports teams?

A: Minnesota Wild, Gophers Hockey, and the Golden State Warriors.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: You are not finished when you are defeated. You are finished when you quit.

If you want Regina to be a part of your Rock Star Home Buying or Home Selling team, contact her at regina.r@rnrrealty.com!

Famous U.S. Homes Worthy of a Visit

It’s never too early to dream up your next vacation. Whether you’re interested in a fun, educational destination or you’re on the hunt for home inspiration, visiting these famous estates may pique your imagination.

Architectural Icon
A tour through the Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio just outside of Chicago is like peering into the creative mind of one of America’s most iconic architects. Constructed in 1889 for $5,000, this Oak Park house served as the family home for Wright, his wife and their six kids. Bold, geometric shapes on the exterior and the interior’s high, barrel-vaulted ceiling make this visit a must for architecture enthusiasts.

Literary Cats
One home of Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway is tucked away in the heart of Old Town in Key West, Florida. The estate boasts Spanish colonial architecture and lush grounds; however, the Hemingway home is also well-known for its current occupants. No less than 40 polydactyl (six-toed) cats, descendants of those owned by Hemingway himself, still live on-site.

Presidential Family Estate
Get a historical perspective with a visit to Hildene, a 1905 Georgian Revival mansion in Manchester, Vermont, that belonged to Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Guests can take year-round tours of the home’s 24-room interior, stroll down approximately 12 miles of walking trails and visit the working farm.

As Seen on TV
Popularized by more than 70 feature films and television shows, including “Full House,” San Francisco’s Painted Ladies are a staple of the city’s skyline. This row of quintessential Victorian homes, also known as the Seven Sisters, ascends one of the city’s hilly neighborhoods. Snap a gorgeous photo from the famous Alamo Square Park across the street.

RNR’s Rock Star of the Month: Lasha Raddatz

It’s no coincidence that RNR also stands for “Rock ‘N Roll” … because we think all of our agents are rock stars! Each month we will feature one of our team members to find out more about them and why they joined the biz. Next up is Lasha Raddatz, a 16-year veteran agent who loves working with first time homebuyers!

Q: How long have you been in the business?

A: 16 years

Q: What’s your specialization?

A: First time buyers are my favorite demographic to work with. It’s such an exciting time for these families – we always have a blast!

Q: What is your dream home or favorite house style?

A: Lofts. Think exposed brick, concrete, floor-to-ceiling windows. Preferably on a beach.

Q: What is your favorite thing about living in the Twin Cities?

A: The music scene. I love all the live music here!

Q: What would you say is the Twin Cities’ best kept secret?

A: The band, MPLS. However, Jesse Larson from that band is now on The Voice and she is killing it!

Q: What are your hobbies/interests?

A: Traveling! It’s my oxygen.

Q: What is your favorite travel destination?

A: Jekkyl Island in Georgia.

Q: Do you have any hidden talents?

A: I am a great dancer and used to dance for a local hip hop group, The School of Thought.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: Home is where the heart is.

Q: Is there anything else we should know about you?

A: Real estate is my passion! It’s where I’ve met the most amazing people and had the most freedom to do what I love!

If you want Lasha to be a part of your Rock Star Home Buying or Home Selling team, contact her at lasha.r@rnrrealty.com!

RNR’s Rock Star of the Month: Jen Kilzer

It’s no coincidence that RNR also stands for “Rock ‘N Roll” … because we think all of our agents are rock stars! Each month we will feature one of our team members to find out more about them and why they joined the biz. First up is Jen Kilzer, a rookie agent who is more than ready to help you achieve your home buying and selling dreams!

Q: How long have you been in the business?

A: I am new to the business; I entered into the real estate world in 2016.

Q: What’s your specialization?

A: I work with residential home buyers, especially people trying to establish themselves a bit later in life or re-establish themselves after life changing events, such as divorce.

Q: Where is your hometown?

A: I grew up in Richfield and returned there as an adult for 10 years. I currently reside in South Minneapolis.

Q: Why did you decide to become a real estate agent?

A: I have always had a passion for real estate and I’ve spent many years stalking homes on the internet, so I thought it was a good idea to take my passion for helping people and combine that with my love of housing and turn it into my second career.

Q: What is your dream home or favorite house style?

A: I really like townhouse living – I enjoy having more free-time by not having to do yard work and snow removal. As far as my dream home, I would choose a home with a view, preferably of a body of water. I like wide-open concepts and great views.

Q: What is your number one real estate tip?

A: I think the advice I give most frequently is that you don’t have to keep up with the Joneses – the Joneses may not be that happy. We need to find a home that best fits your family and your lifestyle. We want it to be nice but we also want it to fit your budget, so that you can be happy every day that you are in this home.

Q: What is your favorite thing about living in the Twin Cities?

A: There are so many things I love about the Twin Cities. Our schools are great. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family, and there are also great neighborhoods for young adults with no children. We have a lot of variety here, from things to do to the drastic season changes. I love it all!

Q: What would you say is the Twin Cities’ best kept secret?

A: I think the best kept secret would be the local theater/art talent that we have here. We also have a ton of amazing neighborhood restaurants that you might not expect to find in their locations, and then to top it off the food is fabulous.

Q: What is your favorite travel destination?

A: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Q: What is your favorite sports team?

A: My favorite sport is basketball and our MN Lynx are pretty amazing!

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: “A house is made of bricks and beams; a home is made of hope and dreams.”

If you want Jen to be a part of your Rock Star Home Buying or Home Selling team, contact her at jen.k@rnrrealty.com!

2017’s Top Kitchen Design Trends

While a home’s curb appeal may draw buyers in, its interior matters just as much, if not more. Several features are high on the wish list of today’s homebuyer, including a modern kitchen. Whether you’re thinking of starting a remodel or you’re just curious about what the future holds, check out these trends that turn kitchens into buyer bait.

Hidden appliances: Upgrading appliances is one of the quickest ways to add value to a kitchen. If you’re looking to impress a buyer with deep pockets, look into hidden appliances. What’s the appeal? Less obvious appliances keep the eye on the kitchen’s overall flow and design.

Personalized pantries: The utilitarian kitchen pantry has evolved into a trending design element. Whether you choose a pocket door and complementary light fixture or a rustic barn door and wallpaper, there’s no shortage of ways to express your personal style.

Creative countertops: Looking for a revamp with an immediate impact? Upgrade the counters. Quartz and butcher block, both easy to maintain, are quickly replacing traditional marble and granite surfaces. You can dress up your kitchen further with sleek waterfall-edge countertops that extend vertically to the floor.

Mixed-up metal accents: Accessorizing with different finishes is a trendy, cost-effective way to update your kitchen. In addition to stainless steel and gold, homebuilders are seeing copper accents emerging as the metallic detail of choice.

Don’t let a dated kitchen cost you when it’s time to sell your home. Incorporating a trend or two could be enough to give your kitchen the face-lift it needs to entice buyers.

How to Throw a Seamless Dinner Party

Think being a good host means stressing in the kitchen while your guests enjoy the party? Think again. With a little advanced preparation, you can unlock the secrets of a stress-free holiday get-together.

Plan and Practice the Menu
Choose dishes that don’t have to be served piping hot, like lasagna, quiches and braised stews. Test out new recipes in advance so you can make necessary adjustments to the ingredients and perfect your prep time. Once you’ve got the menu figured out, prepare what you can ahead of time. Ready entire courses that will keep for a day; then heat them up just before your guests are set to arrive.

Don’t Forget the Drinks
Serving a signature holiday cocktail, whether it’s alcoholic or family-friendly, can simplify your hosting process. If you can, find one that can be premixed and served from a pitcher. Chill other beverages in an ice-filled tub to keep your refrigerator food-focused, and position the drink station opposite the food buffet to create a nice flow and avoid bottlenecks. This will help cut back on the number of people congregating in and around the kitchen.

Aim for Easy Cleanup
Plan out the number of serving dishes you’ll need in advance, and borrow from family and friends to supplement what you have. Want to reduce your dish-washing burden? Serve hors d’oeuvres, which can be filling and require little more than a napkin. If you do opt to use dinnerware, begin the party with an empty dishwasher so you clear plates and glasses as soon as guests have finished.

These tips will help you enjoy your gathering without the typical hosting hassles.

Turn Your Master Bedroom Into a Sanctuary

Since we spend about a third of our lives sleeping, we should place high importance on the look and feel of the master bedroom. Follow these tips to transform one of the most important rooms of your home into a relaxing sanctuary.

What to Bring In

Neutral Colors — Light, neutral hues like creams, taupes, grays and blues provide a tranquil atmosphere. Use soft, coordinating colors for your bedding and walls.
Soft Lighting — Overhead lighting can sometimes be harsh or too concentrated. Create a soothing mood with soft, balanced lighting throughout the room. Add lamps to brighten dark corners and illuminate each side of the bed.
Window Treatments — A sense of privacy is essential to any sanctuary. Window treatments offer coverage from the outside world and can be a beautiful design element. If outside lighting disrupts your sleep, consider blackout curtains.

What to Take Out

Outdated Bedding — A relaxing bedroom begins with a comfortable bed. Most experts recommend replacing your mattress every eight years. Pillows should be replaced every two to three years or every six months if you have asthma or allergies.
Excess Furniture — Get back to basics by paring down your bedroom to just the essentials. Most people require little more than a bed frame, a couple of matching nightstands and a dresser or chest of drawers. Anything more can quickly become clutter.
Unnecessary Electronics — From more sleep to better family relationships, there are numerous benefits of having a technology-free bedroom. Reserve your master bedroom for rest and relaxation, and keep electronics out.

Make over your master bedroom into a serene space you look forward to at the end of a long day. These tips can help you get started.

St. Patrick’s Day Parades and Celebrations

Every year on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated. It began as a religious holiday in Ireland and is still celebrated like so in Ireland. In the U.S. it is more of a festival that celebrates Irish culture with parades and a variety of events.

Boston’s parade is the second largest in the country. Boston has one of the largest Irish populations in the U.S., which is why St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated all week there. The parade goes through South Boston and features marching bands, live music and many more fun festivities.

New York’s parade is also one of the largest with 150,000 participants. The bands march down 5th Avenue in Manhattan and it usually takes about five hours to complete the route. Participants of the parade include military bands, firefighters and cultural groups and clubs.

Scranton’s parade is considered to be the oldest, and it is believed to be one of the most popular. Participants include Irish step dancers, local organizations, Irish groups and bagpipers. The parade always begins with a Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral.

Chicago’s parade was first held in 1956 as the Irish population grew in the city. The way St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in Chicago is pretty unique. Starting in 1962, they began to dye the river green for the celebrations, and it stays green for about five hours. It causes no harm to the water; in fact, the dye can detect pollution.

New Orleans’ parade also includes marching bands and float riders who throw not only beads, but also ingredients for the Irish stew! Festivities go on for 10 days and include three(!) parades. One of the most popular celebrations is the community block parties, which are free and open to public.

Flickr Creative Commons: Max Talbot-Minkin (CC BY 2.0)
All photos used under this license.

Celebrities Who Bought and Sold the Most Houses

We all know celebrities love their real estate, they buy, they sell, and they renovate. Let’s take a look who among celebrities sold and bought the most houses in the last 10 years.

Oprah Winfrey is without a doubt a top home buyer. She owns homes all over the country, and not all her homes are mansions – she owns a 2 bedroom home in a small town n Indiana. She’s been particularly active in real estate world lately: she sold her Chicago house and bought a mansion in Colorado with her own funicular and “wine mine”.

Flickr Creative Commons: Paul Williams (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Ellen DeGeneres is not only known as a comedian, but also for her passion for architecture and design. She recently bought a house in Malibu that was previously owned by Brad Pitt and also a house with an ocean view in Montecito.

Flickr Creative Commons: Jesse Wagstaff (CC BY 2.0)

Nicholas Cage owns about ten homes in England, Rhode Island, and Bath. He also owns a haunted house in New Orleans previously owned by Madame LaLaurie.

Flickr Creative Commons: Tom Bastin (CC BY 2.0)

Cher was one of those who also traded some real estate she owned. She sold her Palm Springs and Los Angeles, and bought a home in 90210 zip code and also a Malibu home.

Flickr Creative Commons: Marcus (CC BY-SA 2.0)

All photos used under this license.

Living in a Tiny House

Tiny or small house living is becoming more and more popular these days. Tiny houses are usually between 100 to 400 square feet. They are considered much more affordable, more environmentally friendly and allow to have more free time to spend with a family instead of constant maintenance and cleaning. Even though there are a lot of good reasons to live in a small house, it is not for everyone. Let’s take a look at pros and cons of small living.

Cheap. Tiny houses are cheaper to buy, which means smaller mortgage or none at all. Also, utility bills are lower. In addition to that, there is no need to spend a lot of money on furniture.

Less clutter. Because of smaller space, people tend to keep only things they really need and use.

Easy to clean. While traditional size homes can take all day to clean, tiny houses might take only an hour or two.

Environmentally friendly. Small houses require less materials to be built and less energy to power and maintain them. Also, some houses can be powered using solar energy.

Despite all the benefits of small living, there are some drawbacks as well.

Family size and lifestyle. While it might work for a one or two people, such living might not be the best option for family with kids. Also, entertaining might be a challenge.

Storage/closet space. Even though less space means less clutter, you still need place to store clothing and personal things. In this case organization is key.

Water and sewer. If you park your home in an RV campground, you might have access to water and sewage; if not, you will need to figure something out.

Building codes. Even though the house is movable and small, it has to be built according to codes and they need to withstand hurricanes, tornadoes etc.

As you can see, tiny homes are not for everyone; in the end, it’s a personal choice, and for many, the benefits outweigh possible inconveniences.

Flickr Creative Commons: Tammy Strobel (CC BY 2.0)
All photos used under this license.