Category Archives: Reposts

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.

Pets for Christmas?

The Holiday season is here and everyone is getting ready to spend time with their loved ones. Some are still finishing last minute gift shopping, and, while there are many Christmas gift options, many are tempted to give a cute pet as a Christmas gift.

According to Hellen Woodward Animal Center, pets are being adopted during holidays more than at any other time of the year. One of the animal societies came up with a promotion called “Homes for the Holidays”; they have volunteers dressed as Elves and Santa’s who deliver pets for Christmas. While this sounds like a very endearing idea and many think that giving a pet as a surprise is a wonderful gift, there are couple things to keep in mind.

First and foremost, make sure you know that a pet is wanted; not everyone wants a pet or has time or money to take care of them. If you are getting a pet for your kids or someone who wants a pet, figure out in advance what type, size and breed your child or family member wants. Also, make sure your house is ready and you have all the needed supplies such as food, bed, leash, and carrier.

If you still want it to be a surprise, but not sure what breed they want, you can get a shelter gift certificate or pet promise certificate, that way they can choose the pet they want and that best fits their lifestyle. This would be the best way to ensure that no pets are affected.

This is not meant to keep you from buying such a special gift, but to make you aware of the drawbacks you may encounter.

Happy Holidays!

Flickr Creative Commons: starsandspirals. All photos used under this license.

Tips on Staging Your House for Photos

Flickr Creative Commons: Wicker Paradise

There are always people who are wanting to buy a house, but with many houses on the market, it makes it difficult for sellers to stand out from the rest. A seller should seek out a professional to professionally stage their house and get a professional photographer to take listing photos, no cell phone pictures. Here are a few tips on staging your house.

Lighting can be your friend when staging a house. The angles which light can embellish will make rooms look larger and wider. If you are looking to correct symmetry and imperfections, or will the best angles of a room show, you can preview it, odds are that you have a tool in your pocket with a camera built into it. With your camera, take pre photos and this should give you an idea, as to the display or time of day you would like certain rooms photographed.

Wrinkles can be a beautiful thing on people, but, for example, on curtains and table runners, the camera will exaggerate the wrinkles to their full. Take a little time and get professional steamer of a hot iron and relieve them. Buyers want to feel refreshed when looking at a potential house, wrinkles do the opposite.

Colors, Colors, Colors. Colors can be your friend, well if done accordingly. There are neutrals and there are colors. The neutrals are black, white, grey, brown, beige, cream, silver, and at times gold. These form a good base for your room. You can add as many as you want, but there are colors like red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. These colors must be used accordingly. Then there is a color story, they might be blues or reds or colors of the peacock, or teal and yellow. Word of caution, use only one color story line per room.

Make sure to use camera filters and other editing features in moderation. You don’t want to loose a client by taking pictures that make a house look better than in reality.

All photos are used under this license.

Travel Feature: Perth, Australia

Perth is called the most isolated city on Earth. It is the only city in Western half of the Australia. It is located a long way of everywhere. It is closer to the capital of Indonesia than to Australian’s own capital Canberra.

Perth is known for its warm hot summers and very mild winters. In fact, Perth is considered the world’s most sunniest city, temperature rises to 86F (30C), but humidity is low. Because of the Indian ocean there is a regular sea breeze which helps to keep air fresh.
Here are some of the top attractions.

The Swan Bell Tower is one of the main attractions. It overlooks the Swan River and the city skyline. It is six stories high and has twelve bells of St.Martin-in-the-Fields that are traced back to 14th century.

Flickr Creative Commons: Alex Dawson

Kings park is the largest inner park, it overlooks the Swan River and it’s a great place to enjoy the city view. It’s a beautiful place with pathways, where you can go on a walking tour and learn about aboriginal people and Australian history.

Flickr Creative Commons: Monica D.

Cottesloe beach is known for its crystal clear water, cafe’s and restaurants. It is one of the best places to watch sunset over the Indian ocean. It is a popular place for surfing, snorkeling, or jogging along the beach.

There are many other places to explore, such as Fermantle, a small town full of cafes, bars, seafood restaurants, Rottnest island, where you can take tours to explore the island and encounter a variety of wildlife.

While there are so many great places to visit and enjoy, there are some things to keep in mind when traveling to Australia.

First and foremost, citizens of the US and Canada need a visa to go to Australia. Only citizens of New Zealand do not need one. It is quite an easy process and costs around $20, and it doesn’t take long.

Another thing to remember is that Australian seasons are opposite of what we are used to. The summer months are December, January and February. Although, weather depends on the part of Australia you are going to, so do some research prior.

Also, make sure to read what is prohibited to bring into the country. Besides the usual restrictions like food, plants, etc., there are some restrictions on medication, so it’s better to have a letter form a doctor.

Relaxed outdoor lifestyle and sunny weather makes Perth a great vacation destination!

Pet-Care During Fall

Flickr Creative Commons: Michael Gil

Fall is probably the best time to get outside with your pups. There is no heat to deal with, the air is fresh and crisp and you can take longer walks and enjoy fall colors. But there are some things to keep in mind, so here are some tips to keep your companion safe.

As we all know, fall is the mushroom season, and a lot of mushrooms can be toxic for dogs. It is difficult to tell which ones are toxic and which are not, so the best way to keep your dog safe is to avoid areas where mushrooms are growing.

Another danger is snakes. Fall is the season when snakes are getting ready for brumation (become less active) and they might become a little “grumpy”, so pet owners should know where and what kind of snakes can be found in their area.

Since it’s getting cooler outside, rodents are heading indoors and the use of rodenticide increases. It can be fatal for pets, so be cautious!

Fall is known to be an allergy season, ragweed and mold are the most common allergens, and yes, dogs get allergies too. So watch for sneezing and scratching.

And last but no least, some plants are toxic to dogs as well, so keep your pooch away from Poinsettia, Mistletoe, Amaryllis etc.

Keep your furry friends safe and healthy!

Underrated Vacation Spots in the United States

Many people choose vacation spots outside the US. While this is a great way to see the world and enjoy other cultures, there are many amazing vacation spots in US.

Charleston, South Carolina

Flickr Creative Commons: Spencer Means

Charleston is one of the oldest cities in South Carolina. This historic charm has everything from great beaches to great historic neighborhoods. If you like historical places, there is a variety of tours available: walk tours, water, carriage, etc. This is a place where you can find something of interest for any age. Other top attractions include South Carolina Aquarium and Magnolia Plantation Gardens. And who wouldn’t like to enjoy some sun! Charleston beaches are beautiful and not only can you nap in the sun, but there is plenty of ocean-side restaurants and bars.

New Braunfels, Texas

Flickr Creative Commons: rubengarciajrphotography

New Braunfels is an old-fashioned town and one for the top tourist places in Texas. There are a lot of water recreational activities to enjoy. One of the must see places is Landa Park where you can paddle board or take a tour on a train through the park. If you prefer fun water activities, you can go tubing, snorkeling or kayaking on the Guadalupe River. Some other great places to see are Schlitterbahn waterpark, Comal River, and Canyon lake.

Orange Beach, Alabama

Flickr Creative Commons: Kevin Stephenson

Due to its beautiful white-sand beaches, Orange beach is becoming a popular vacation destination. In addition to beaches, it offers great dining experience, as well as nature hikes, boat tours, parasailing, dolphin and whale watching. Some other great places to visit are Adventure Island and the Wharf.

Tybee Island, Georgia

Flickr Creative Commons: JB

Known as Savannah Beach, it is a great tourist destination that has something to offer for every tourist. If you enjoy fishing, there are fishing piers and deep sea charters, for those who enjoy to explore different cuisines there are over 25 restaurants. For people who appreciate art and creativity, there are unique items to shop for such as paintings and jewelry.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Flickr Creative Commons: Aaron Webb

Here is yet another place for a great vacation. For those who are not into water activities, there are plenty of shops, museums and amusement parks; others can enjoy Resort Beach area, Sandbridge or Chesapeake Bay. And for those who love adrenalin, there are some extreme activities such as flyboarding, hang gliding, and parasailing.

Home Sales are Rising

Flickr Creative Commons: 401(K) 2012

Despite the fact that more and more apartment buildings are being built, the rent prices keep rising. According to Zillow, homeowners spend 13.7% on mortgages, whereas renters spend 25.6% of their income on rent. Thus, more and more people prefer to buy these days.

According to Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR), housing market hit the 10 year high; home sales rose 17% in June and rose even more in July. MAAR reports that in the month of July, 6,928 houses were sold. Also, the median price of a home for the Twin Cities is 2.7% to $224.900. Even though house prices are close to record, buyers are still getting more for what they are paying, spending $129 per square foot.

In addition, with the mortgage rates below 4%, renters are more motivated to buy than ever before. Despite the fact that there is a cost to owning a home such as utilities, maintenance, for a lot of people it ends up being cheaper to buy.

So, if you have enough saved for down payment it is a good time to buy!

Great Places to Enjoy Fall in Minnesota

Let’s not think about Winter and cold weather just yet; we still have Fall weather to enjoy. And who doesn’t love the most colorful season in Minnesota? It is the season of pumpkin spice and apple picking, Oktoberfest, Halloween and Thanksgiving. It is the time to watch trees turn colors and the best places to do that are outside of Twin Cities.

1. St. Croix River. This is a great place to see Minnesota colors in full. Located between Minnesota and Wisconsin, it offers great views, as well as boating, camping, and fishing. The best way to enjoy the colors is the Scenic Cruise along the River.

Fall scenery of the St. Croix River at Interstate State Park.

Flickr Creative Commons: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource’s

2. The North Shore.

There are several places to visit in the North Shore, including eight state parks, waterfalls, and historic sites. One of the most breathtaking adventures is the North Shore Scenic Drive (highway 61). You can enjoy the spectacular views of cliffs, rivers, and streams, not to mention all the fall colored trees.

Flickr Creative Commons: Randen Pederson

3. Split Rock.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is located on the North Shore of Lake Superior. There were so manh shipwrecks during the shipping season in the late 1800’s, that it prompted the Lighthouse construction. As to the lighthouse keepers, they lived there with their families, they functioned as night watchers, administrators; also, they had to know how to repair equipment since It was very difficult to access the Lighthouse until the highway was built.

Flickr Creative Commons: Anita Ritenour

4. Gooseberry Falls.

It is located on scenic Highway 61 and is known for its beautiful waterfalls, camping sites, hiking and biking trails. Stunning place to see golden leaves of birch and aspen, and beautiful red and orange maple trees.

Flickr Creative Commons: Anita Ritenour

5. Mississippi River Bluffs

Now, we’ll move away from the North Shore and Highway 61 and go to southeast of Winona. This breathtaking state park offers great views of Mississippi river and is known for its great variety of flora and fauna. In fact, some areas are restricted for visitors due to the rare plants. It is also a great place for wildlife viewing, so don’t forget your binoculars!

Flickr Creative Commons: Mara

DIY Fall Decor for Your Home

Looking to spruce up your home for fall, but on a budget? We have scoured Pinterest for the best home made decoration tutorials. Get festive with these DIY projects!

Flickr Creative Commons: Tambako The Jaguar (CC BY-ND 2.0)

1. Fall Mason Jar Vases – Hometalk

Mason jars are so popular right now! The cheapest place to find them (other than online) is at your local hardware store! These DIY vases simultaneously exciting and classy.

2. Pumpkin Flower Pot – iheartnaptime

Add some color to your font porch! This is also a great way to use old plastic pumpkins that are lacking character.

3. [Sparkly] Autumn Leaves Garland – Design Envy

Using neutrally colored sparkles gives these tacky fake leaves a stunning look. This garland would look great over a fireplace, or in your entryway.

4. Canning Jar Ring Pumpkin – Yellow Bliss Road

Now that you have all those mason jars from DIY #1, you can use the rings to make a pumpkin! This very clever idea has a wonderfully rustic feel.

5. 2×4 Pumpkins – Alayna’s Creations

This very simple DIY looks fantastic! They would look great on your front steps or mantelpiece. And you only need a few materials!

6. Fall Wreath – Create & Babble

A wreath is a common item found on front doors, but with this tutorial you can add your own personal style! This wreath has a more natural feel to it, but you could add glitter or gems to spice it up!

7. Painted Acorns – Home Stories A to Z

These cute little accents are great for adding to vases or garnishing tables. The best part is you can paint them to match whatever you’d like!

8. Yarn Wrapped Candy Corn – Thrifty Decor Chick

Such a great idea! Only two materials necessary – yarn and foam! Great for a centerpiece!

Did you give any of these a try? Do you have a tutorial of your own that you would like us to share? Let us know!

Have you checked RNR Realty out on Pinterest yet? We have a whole board dedicated to DIY projects for your home here!

Upcoming Twin Cities Dog Adoption Events

Having a dog in your life is beneficial in so many ways. They bring unlimited joy and smiles to their owners. There are so many dogs in need of safe, loving homes. Why not do something that is good for you, your family, and a canine?

Minnesota has an overwhelming number of pet rescue organizations, and it can be difficult to know where to start. It is very important to find an dog that will fit your lifestyle and personality. The best way to find the perfect pet is to attend adoption events and meet your options! There are adoption events all year round, in cities all over Minnesota. Some events have pets for adoption from a single rescue organization, and some feature pets from multiple rescues! Some events have cats for adoption too!

Here are links to calendars for events going on this fall sorted by rescue!

Flickr Creative Commons: Sonia Su

Dog Adoption Events:

1. Homeward Bound Dogs – Held at PetCo and PetSmart stores around Minnesota

2. Second Hand Hounds – Held at Chuck & Don’s and PetSmart stores around Minnesota

3. Underdog Rescue – Held at It’s a Pet’s Life stores around Minnesota

4. Ruff Start Rescue – Held at Chuck & Don’s and PetSmart stores around Minnesota

5. Pet Haven – Held at Chuck & Don’s and PetCo stores around Minnesota

6. Underdog Rescue – Held at It’s a Pet’s Life stores around Minnesota

7. Safe Hands Rescue – Held at Fetch Delivers Warehouse in Minneapolis

Let us know your adoption success stories! Share your photos with us!

Photos used under this license.