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R E N T A L READER YOUR
JANUARY 2021
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PUT 2020 IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR But Don’t Miss the Lessons It Can Teach
what I am “seeing” as I
think and see how things unfold rather than forcing you to take action right away. I think I will always carry more reserves than I have historically.
I asked my kids to find a few things that remind them of 2020 and what they grabbed is in the photo on the right … toilet paper, computers for home-schooling, masks, and more.
have had to slow down in several
What does 2020 make you think of?
aspects of my work and life.
2. Quality is the best insurance policy.
Quality tenants. Quality properties. Quality neighborhoods. Those things are extremely valuable in times of stress and turmoil. This is a lesson I learned the hard way from my first investment property purchase (bad property, bad tenants, bad neighborhood, with me playing the role of the prideful young man who thought he could change all of that), but 2020 reinforced it yet again. When I look at two choices, especially real estate investment choices, I often will pick the higher quality one, even if expected returns are lower. And the reason is the returns on paper rarely become what you experience in the real world.
What a 2020!
Final thought: The end of one year and the beginning of the next is the season of reflection, goals, and change. I encourage you to reflect on 2020, set some new goals, and implement that change in your life. And a really important part of that goal- setting and change is framing. Optimism and positivity are necessary ingredients for meaningful lasting change. In December, the entire RCW team got together to set personal and company goals. Two questions they were asked to reflect on and answer before deciding on their goals were: 1) What was something positive that came out of 2020? and 2) What are you really excited about in 2021? Simple questions, but helpful for framing and to make your goals more expansive. So I leave you (and 2020) with this Irish blessing … “May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.” And remember, the team at RCW is here for you in so many different ways. Yours in not missing the lessons that 2020 can teach us,
As I sit here and reflect on what we collectively went through last year, it seems more like a bad dream or poorly written made-for-TV movie than reality. And yet it happened, and at this moment, we are still in the midst of it. It’s nice to know there is help on the way in the form of a vaccine, and I look forward to a bit of a return to “normalcy.” Overall, I am so glad 2020 is in my rearview mirror. I tend to be very pragmatic (which makes me a good property manager), and I find myself agreeing with Lou Holtz, the longtime Notre Dame football coach, who said, “Nothing is as good as it seems and nothing is as bad, but somewhere between reality falls.” Time and time again when I have distanced myself from the “good” or “bad” event, the distance allows me to see it more objectively. I already have recognized several good things that have come out of the bad of 2020, both at work and in my life. And I am one that does not like to let an opportunity for a life lesson pass. 2020 brings three solid ones for me: 1. Have more in reserve than you think you need. I have extended this to my business, my home life, and the properties my wife and I own. Reserves (aka money in the bank) give you confidence at the moment you need it most. It also gives you critical time to
3. Slowing down helps you see more.
Shutdowns forced many of us to slow down, whether we wanted to or not. Because of the inflexibility of my wife’s work, I was tasked with much of the home-schooling for our three elementary- aged children and one preschooler. (Side note: Teachers ROCK — man your job is hard.) Because of slowing down and working so closely with my kids, I was able to identify some troubles they are having with school that are not normal, and we are now working to get two of my children additional help to address them.
P.S. One more Irish blessing that makes me smile that I wanted to leave you with … “May the Good Lord take a liking to you, but not too soon.”
That is one concrete example, but I have been pleasantly surprised with
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GET YOUR GREEN THUMB ON IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SPRING!
Creating an indoor garden is a great option for someone who may not have garden space. But where to start? If you’re looking to start your own indoor garden, here are a few of the easiest and safest houseplants you can grow from the comforts of home. Spider Plant Growing conditions: Medium to bright light; 60–75 degrees F; keep the soil evenly moist Size: Grows to 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide Among indoor house plants, the spider plant is one of the most popular choices. They bring an elegant look into a home, and their bright colors and arched leaves bring a lightness to every room. When starting up your garden, the spider plant is a great first choice! Grape Ivy Growing conditions: Medium light; 65–80 degrees F; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings Size: Grows up to 6 feet If you’re looking for a perfect basket or hanging plant, then grape ivy is perfect for you. Grape ivy grows more as a long, cascading plant than a long, thin vine, which gives it an appealing aesthetic. With a variety of types, grape ivy gives you many options to choose from. Norfolk Island Pine Growing conditions: Bright light; 60–75 degrees F; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings Size: Grows up to 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide Unlike their much larger outdoor relatives, the Norfolk Island Pines are trees that thrive indoors. Usually, these make wonderful holiday plants, but even when the holidays are over, these plants can bring a pine-forest feel into a room, and they are perfect for any beginning house plant growers. Snake Plant Growing conditions: Low to bright light; 60–85 degrees F; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings Size: Varies by type
Stay Warm This Winter WITH THESE 4 COMFORTERS
Comforters are perfect for providing warmth during cold winter nights. When looking for the ideal comforter for your home, there are three big factors to consider before making a purchase. Fill power refers to the amount of space the down takes up. Comforters with high fill power trap more air and are warmer. The comforter’s construction determines where and how the down is contained. A grid pattern often prevents movement, resulting in evenly spaced down with fewer cold spots and lumps. Cleanliness is also important and varies from comforter to comforter. Some comforters are machine-washable while others must be dry-cleaned.
Let’s take a look at four comforters with all three of these characteristics.
Down Feather Blend Comforter Home Depot’s Down Feather Blend Comforter covers all three categories well. By blending feathers with 100% cotton and combining this with quality construction, this comforter offers even warmth and comfort. While quality comforters can be expensive, this comforter is affordable and machine-washable. Permabaffle Box Goose Down Comforter Comforters from L.L. Bean might be more expensive, but they are worth every penny. Not only does their construction prevent the down from shifting, but the down is also thoroughly cleaned to eliminate allergens and odors. With a 4.5-star rating, many of the reviewers claim that using this comforter is like sleeping on a cloud. Humidity Fighting Duvet This duvet comforter is perfect for anyone wanting to avoid overheating or excess humidity. Found at Casper.com, the Humidity Fighting Duvet has a layer of merino wool that helps keep sleepers cool. What’s more, Casper offers a 100-night trial. Customers who are dissatisfied with the comforter can return it for a full refund within 100 days of their purchase. White Bay Down Comforter If you’re having trouble choosing the perfect comforter for your home, The Company Store has a solution for you! With their White Bay Down Comforter, you can choose between four levels of warmth, five colors, and six sizes. Whatever your needs may be, you can find the perfect comforter with one of their Responsible Down Standard- certified comforters.
The snake plant is an easy-to-grow succulent that brings vibrant greens into a room. This plant also comes in a variety of colors, including the popular laurentii, gracilis, fischeri, and masoniana varieties. With little water and light, this plant is easy to care for in any household. With all these options, you are sure to find a plant (or two) that will get your indoor garden growing beautifully.
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DON’T THROW IN THE TOWEL! 3 Ways to Spruce Up Your Kitchen Linens
Linens give a kitchen a sense of style, but they’re also perfect for drying hands and cleaning up a few spills. Unfortunately, store-bought linens might not match your kitchen’s aesthetic. But, by creating your own, you don’t have to worry about searching for the perfect fit any longer. Give your kitchen the look you’re after with these linen tips!
Trace it out.
A white linen kitchen towel can be the perfect canvas for your artistic vision. On a piece of cardstock, print out a design you want on your kitchen linen (cardstock is sturdier than paper!). Next, place your printout underneath your kitchen linen so you can see the design lines through the fabric. Lastly, take whichever color paint you want to use and trace the design! It’s a simple, cheap way to bring your preferred look into your kitchen.
Transfer a photo.
To transfer a picture onto your kitchen linen, you have a few options to choose from. One of the easiest is to use artist or fabric transfer paper. Simply print out the picture you want on the paper, then iron the image onto the fabric. In just a few minutes, you’ll have the perfect picture to capture the essence of your kitchen’s style. C&T Publishing has a wonderful product called Transfer Artist Paper (TAP), which you can find on Amazon.com for just $10.
Pick your own fabric.
One of the best ways to ensure your kitchen has the perfect linens is to make your own, no matter the style of your kitchen. There are two methods you can use for these kitchen linens: a sewing and no-sewing version. Sewing your own is perfect to create a sturdy towel that is great for drying hands. A good tutorial to follow is from the YouTube channel Making it in the Mountains, where Kristi takes you through the steps of creating your own linen dish towels.
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN CASSEROLE
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com
Ingredients
• 1 lb potatoes, peeled and cut in large chunks • 2 garlic cloves, sliced • 14 oz chicken stock • 1 sprig rosemary • Finely grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 8 chicken thighs or drumsticks, lightly salted • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1 onion, finely sliced • 2 celery sticks, thickly sliced • 2 carrots, thickly sliced • 1 leek, thickly sliced
Directions
1. In a large frying pan, heat oil and fry salted chicken on high until brown. 2. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker. Add flour and stir. 3. In the frying pan on high heat, fry the onion, celery, carrots, leeks, and potatoes until lightly browned. Add garlic and fry for 30 seconds. 4. Transfer vegetables to the slow cooker and add the stock, rosemary, and lemon zest. 5. Cook on high for 2.5–3 hours or until chicken is tender. 6. Check seasoning and add lemon juice to taste. Top with parsley before serving.
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INSIDE
1
Putting 2020 in Our Rearview Mirror
2
Find the Perfect Comforter This Winter
Perfect Indoor Plants
3
Make Your Own Kitchen Linens!
Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole
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Repurposing Christmas Decorations for Year-Round Glamor
FIND A USE FOR THOSE OLD CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AFTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON
It’s January, which means the Christmas season is officially behind us, and we have to put all our favorite decorations away for the rest of the year, right? Well, maybe not! Depending on the decor in your home, you might be able to find some fun, creative ways to repurpose some of your holiday garnishes to brighten up the room year-round. Take metallic-colored spherical ornaments, for example. For a standout coffee table centerpiece, try sticking them with neutral-colored pieces and non-holiday ornaments in a bowl. Cute and simple!
As for flat ornaments that wouldn’t look too out of place year-round, try mounting them on a canvas and hanging them as wall art! They’ll remind you of the joy of the holiday season all year long. Looking for something to do with that old Christmas wreath? Instead of throwing it in the trash, try drying out the needles and making potpourri that will keep your house smelling fresh and festive long after the holiday season is over.
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