It's time for a fresh start right? How about a new face on those kitchen cabinets? No plastic surgery needed! I always get asked if it is a good idea to Re-Face cabinets and of course the answer is "it depends".If you are selling your home soon than "No." Painting them may be your best option. If you have a high end home than yes you may need to Re-Face. If you are not selling your home within the next couple years then you probably do want to Re-Face your cabinets if they are outdated. When you go to sell your home your kitchen may very well make or break any sale. Let me tell you a true story.....because it is mine! I have hated my kitchen cabinets and I finally did something about it. I was always so busy working on other people's homes and never had any time for my own but I took th... 01/17/2016

Yes you can have a New Year's resolution that isn't about losing weight or eating better. One that is specific if you are selling your home in 2016.  There are many things that are important when selling your home: 1) Hiring a top-notch Realtor that is going to market your home in the best way possible.2) Selecting the best price for your home and area.3) That horrible 'D' word.....DECLUTTER.    Those are all things that are important but did you remember another really important one?  Home StagingYes....staging is just as important as everything else on the list. As billionaire real estate mogul and Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran said "Staging is no longer an option, it is a necessity."  Here is a perfect example: The end of 2015 I picked up furniture at two vacant homes that I had s... 01/04/2016

Start thinking about your web strategy for 2016 right now. I have been in the real estate industry for the last decade and change building content on the web.  Looking back at the last few years, I see trend that is clearly taking shape on the web in the Minneapolis real estate market: Buyers and Sellers are defaulting to searching for real estate on the large websites.  However when it comes to selecting an agent, a handful of good Wordpress or Strikingly micro sites will drive leads with a high level of interest.    Content And Context Are The King And Queen Of The InterwebsEveryone can agree that content has always been a big deal.  But now more than ever, having a site built around a niche subject or specific area within your real estate market will be what defines good web sites fr... 12/26/2015

    I am going to go ahead and toot!  A UK company asked to interview me as part of their "Designer Insight" series and the article just came out. I think it turned out great and I am so excited I had the opportunity.       They asked me five questions about my style, I had to select five items that are my top design picks of the season, plus submit two photos of my work. It was great fun as well as an honor to be asked.        If you would like to read the entire article here is the link!  "Designer Insights by Shar Sitter"                      Shar Sitter, owner Rooms With Style Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis MN.CHSE and APSD Home Stager Pro Trainer www.RoomsWithStyle.com952-567-1124       12/01/2015

When we took my brother to the U of M for his chemo infusion, we left so early in the morning that I did not want to bother with putting on makeup. Just getting dressed and out in the rain was a major accomplishment. I also figured that just in case we cried, I didn't want black splotchiness dripping down my face. You've got to consider these things in advance, like with anything. I didn't cry, though. We were joking too much to cry.And I usually would not publish a photo of myself without makeup because I don't look like myself, or at least not the person I want other people to remember me by, which is much prettier than reality. But also, when you get to be as old as me, well, I think you get to a point where you don't really care about how you appear to anybody else anymore. I mean, ... 11/19/2015

Just because I am in Minneapolis for several days visiting my family doesn't mean that we can't enjoy a few good meals. It's part of the highlight of traveling, not having to fend and forage for yourself. As a result, we've been to several excellent restaurants in south Minneapolis, the type of restaurants that one had to go downtown to find when I used to live here a long time ago.And now, here they are, right in our south Minneapolis neighborhoods. For me, I can always usually rely on a restaurant meeting my expectations by the wine list. It's always good to have a little food with your wine, you know. :) I tend to start by figuring out which wine selection I want to drink with dinner and then I plan my meal around that. But then I have learned something about managing expectations th... 11/18/2015

Driving in the rain is hard enough when you can see the roads, but it's worse when it's 6 AM, pitch-black, pouring cats and dogs, and you're a woman of a certain age wearing multi-focal contacts, driving a rental car on unfamiliar roads. I might have freaked out my sister and brother by almost driving into a ditch, but at least I didn't smash up the car or throw my brother head first into the dash with my sudden braking. We managed to get to the hospital in one piece and guess what? The University of Minnesota Hospital offers valet parking! How cool is that?It's not like we were doing anything else this morning except sleeping. My brother needed a ride to the hospital for another infusion visit. This morning's visit involved a lot of scans and lab first, and since I came to town to visi... 11/17/2015

There are a lot of people in Minneapolis nowadays who are not from Minneapolis, people called transplants. There were no transplants when I was growing up in Mineapolis. Transplants seems to be a derogatory term in some ways. For example, I am not from Sacramento and, although during my short 13 years in town I have managed to zoom to the top ranks of Sacramento Realtors, I am not native to the city but I would not like to be called a transplant.I was joking with my sister last night that I could tell our waitress at the restaurant was from Minneapolis. I could hear it in her voice, just like people can hear that accent in my voice. My sister did not agree on several accounts. First, she is not fond of the TV series Fargo or how they make fun of Minnesota accents by overdoing them. I wo... 11/16/2015

It depends. Don't you hate that answer! But it really does depend. What it depends on it which bathroom in your home we are talking about.It really is a tiered system when it comes to updating your bathrooms for selling purposes.Least important - Lower level bathroom (furthest from the main living area):Most of the time this is the third bathroom in your home and the last one the potential buyer will see. This is lowest on the priority list of bathrooms you need to update.Third Most Important - Guest Bathroom/Kid's Bathroom:This is the bathroom normally found on the upper level off the hallway of bedrooms. This bathroom is more important than the lower level bath but not on the top of the list. At this level you would want to make sure there isn't any wallpaper, change out dated light f... 11/15/2015

The Best Day of the Year to Buy a House in Minneapolis is December 31 According to a study by RealtyTrac which appeared in a recent RISmedia article, the best day of the year to purchase a home in Minneapolis is December 31. The article goes on to report that October is the best month nationwide to buy, followed by February, July, December and January.  In approximately 75% of the U.S. real estate markets studied by RealtyTrac, their best buying days of the year occurred in autumn and through the winter months (October through March).It makes sense that Twin Cities home buyers, as well has home buyers in the north central and northeastern United States, would find less competition and slower buyer activity in winter.  That reduced activity stimulates a trend towards lower prices.  As a ... 09/27/2015

When you don't live in the same state as most of your family, it can be hard to say goodbye when it's time to leave them. Of course, if I still wanted to be living in Minneapolis, that's where we would be. I need to go there more often in the frigid winters to remind myself why I prefer Sacramento over Minneapolis.In the summertime, though, Minneapolis can't be beat. It's not a brutal dry heat like Sacramento, just a little moisture, a bit of humidity. There is so much to do in Minneapolis that you really don't need to go "Up North" or, as is the case of a city like Sacramento that offers fewer summer options in town, go to the coast or Lake Tahoe. Still, it's super hard to leave. Maybe that's why I rarely visit.I do enjoy coming home to our quiet house and our 3 cats. You can read more... 07/13/2015

Out of all the stages and musical performances at the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis this year, my reason for flying into town from Sacramento was to see Jenny Lewis, primarily and Wilco, second. Well, of course, I wanted to see my sister and niece, and what better thing to do than for all of us to go to the Block Party?My niece, I hate to say, did not really seem to enjoy it much. But like my husband pointed out, when I was in my 20s, hanging out with my mom and her sister wasn't that much fun, either. But then again, my mom and her sister would not be caught dead at a rock concert. You can read more in my personal blog today and see all the photographs of our advenures at this link: Rocking Out at the Basilica Block Party. 07/12/2015

Over the past few years, I have noticed Sacramento real estate slowing down quite a bit throughout July. Sales don't really start to move much until we get closer to Labor Day, although sellers and buyers still conduct business, just not as much. Which means that it is a good time of year to plan a few vacation trips, even though it means I am still taking my work with me. I don't ever let go of that.I realize people do take vacations by leaving work behind, but that's just not me. I don't mind the multi-tasking that is required; it keeps me feeling fulfilled and my clients assuredly content. You can read more about our weekend getaway from Sacramento at this link: A Weekend Trip to Minneapolis From Sacramento. 07/11/2015

For some reason I have been into color lately. In my clothes, my work, and my home. Maybe it is because it is Spring and the dull winter is finally over. Here are a few examples of how I added color recently to my life and it was SO easy. I bought some spray paint and things that were previously white or brown became colorful. Tables, candle holders and more.     ZOWEY!! A few cans of vibrant spray paint from Rustoleum and look at all the happy color.  I also bought more colorful flower pots and throw pillows.   How is that for adding color? If you are hesitant about adding color into your life start small. A throw pillow, a vibrant scarf and the easiest is something outdoors.Nature is filled with color so why not add to it.  May you have a wonderfully blessed summer!!   Shar Sitter, ow... 06/14/2015

Homes for Sale in East Isles Neighborhood Minneapolis, MN Why Do People Live here? East Isles is one of the historic neighborhoods nestled around Lake of the Isles.  The area boasts single family homes along with a number of apartments and condos scattered throughout the district.  Conviniently located from downtown Minneapolis, East Isles is one of the oldest neighborhoods in all of the Minneapolis lakes area in addition to Lowry Hill and Kenwood.  Originally home to lumber barrons and titans of industry in the late 1800s, the area has now morphed into a dynamic array of residents from young people renting in a number of the classy apartment buildings to long time residents occupying some of the largest historical homes in Minneapolis. Looking for a home in Kennydale? Interested in fi... 03/24/2015

4 Reasons the Twin Cities Housing Market is Red Hot Right Now!   It may come as a shock to hear that the housing market in the Twin Cities is red hot right now.  Especially since 2014 was a pretty flat year and companies like Renters Warehouse are running ads telling you how bad things are right now.  This couldn’t be further from the truth!  What I’m seeing on the ground locally, is an inventory shortage and multiple offers all over the place! I'm working day and night to get buyers in to see new listings as soon as they come on the market!  Here are the largest 4 contributing factors to this market as I see them.    1: The Winter While some parts of the country have had really rough winters.  The east coast for example has seemingly been hit by an unending run of storms.  The Minneapo... 03/16/2015

When I list a home for sale I always ask the current owners what they have liked about living in the community. Here is what a current homeowner said about her community... The Cleveland neighborhood is fantastic! I loved lit ving on Upton and 35th Avenue in North Minneapolis! There are some fantastic neighbors! Everyone on the street is extremely friendly and are always good for a nice afternoon cha(on the non-20 below days, that is!) Upton Avenue is also only 3 short blocks from Victory Memorial Parkway. I really enjoyed living so close to the parkway because it has so much to offer! I had two dogs that required daily exercise and the parkway offered the space I needed to run and walk with them. Because of all of the space it offered the privacy of a solo walk or the option to meet/gr... 03/11/2015

Many people visual Home Staging as something done for large expensive homes. So I do get the question "I have a small home so do I need to stage it?"   The answer is YES! Small homes are even more important to stage. If they are occupied a small home can look even smaller if the homeowner is living with too large furniture or too much stuff.    And the opposite is true if the  home is vacant. Empty rooms look smaller so the buyer will wonder if their furniture will fit. They will also be underwhelmed when looking at the MLS photos.    It is important that your Realtor also understand how important staging is.   Here is a listing that most will consider a small house:       The home has a great porch, it just doesn't create a wow factor when walking in.           With Home Staging it doe... 02/24/2015

How Will You Spend Your Day at the Minneapolis Home and Garden Show? It’s that time of year again in the Twin Cities—Home and Garden Expo time! The multiday event runs from February 25 to March 1 and is a great way to gear up for the spring real estate season. Get ideas for renovations and rub elbows with some of your favorite home and garden celebrities. What’s New at the 2015 Home and Garden Show There are two new features at the 2015 Home and Garden Show: the Spring Boutique and the upcycler designer rooms. Open Friday, February 27 to March 1, the Spring Boutique features 36 vendor booths. Discover great ideas and products to spruce up your home or landscape once the snow melts. The upcycler designers rooms are also new for 2015. Designer Carter Averbeck is an expert at taking items ... 02/24/2015

Many things go into Staging a Home and there really is a thought process that goes into it.   What is the price of the home?   Who is the targeted buyer?    How will the room be used?    Many times you see a picture of a staged room but don't see the close up shots of what went into staging that room. So...I thought I would share some of my favorite 'up close' photos of rooms I have staged.    Home Staging is an art and it is to create a "wow" factor but also to stir an emotion for the potential buyer. We want the buyer to see themselves living in that room and wanting to live in that home.  We want the buyer to see.......   A space to work.       A space to relax and take a deep breath.       A room that they are going to spend a a lot of time can be an enjoyable space!        A place ... 02/16/2015