Who We Are
Amy Dills
Operator
When I bought my first house back in 2010, I had a TERRIBLE experience. Not only was I on a tight budget, I was super pregnant with my first child, and had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into. I burned through several real estate agents VERY quickly who decided I (and my tiny budget) wasn’t worth their time, and when I finally found someone who showed me some options I could live with, I was on such a tight timeline that I felt pressured to just pick the house that ‘sucked the least.’
Fast forward. Living in that house and fixing it up as I had time and resources really gave me a sense of pride in ownership. Despite having a very small income and being a new mommy, I found time to paint and update the house room by room. By the time I sold it three years later, I was hooked on projects and couldn’t wait to find my next fixer upper. I started shopping online and calling agents to let me in to see the houses I was interested in, but I kept running into the same things: “no you don’t want to buy this house, it’s too much work, it’s not right for you, etc.” This drove me NUTS! After one particularly terrible showing, I went home and signed up for real estate classes!
After my first day in class I knew I had found my calling. I loved every moment and couldn’t wait to get out there and start seeing houses. I had initially only intended to get licensed to find a fixer upper for myself, but discovered shortly after that many other buyers had similar experiences to me with other agents and that I could help a lot of first timers navigate the process without pressure or stress. This became my niche for the first year and I was very lucky and excited to have helped 19 people buy and sell in my first six months in business.
I took the leap and quit my job to pursue real estate full time and in my second and third years I helped lots of people (over 30 each year!) buy and sell houses and have fun while doing it!
During this time, lots of friends reached out to me expressing an interest in getting started with real estate. Some of them got licensed, but I noticed most didn’t gain much traction in the business like I had. I wanted to help, but wasn’t really in a position to until now.
So here we are today, I decided to launch Brick & Banister Real Estate Co. so I can continue to help buyers and sellers, but also help real estate agents learn how to be successful in this business. I think that old school sales tactics and high pressure selling are not the way to go about things. I prefer to get to know my clients so I can help them find a place that feels like ‘the one’ instead of selling them on something so I can be done. I will work with anyone, regardless of budget or other challenges, and help you find a place that is right for you in this time of your life.
Hey there! My name is Amanda, and I’m a real estate agent as well as the Operations Coordinator for Brick & Banister. I found my way into real estate in a backwards way—starting in title and mortgage lending before finally deciding to get my real estate license. After working with my fair share of agents (some great, some… let’s just say not so great), I realized I wanted to be the kind of agent who truly puts clients first. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. I take pride in being an advisor throughout the whole process—not just a salesperson. It’s also incredibly rewarding to support the amazing agents at Brick & Banister as they guide their clients through these major milestones. Seeing how our plans, sales, and purchases come together is something I’m really proud of. On a more personal note, I’m a book lover—fiction and the occasional “how to be a better human in 10 easy steps” book (jury’s still out on whether they’re working). I’m also a mom to two wild and wonderful boys, so my life is basically a mix of chaos and coffee. Around here, we like to keep things real—no stuffy sales pitches, no pressure. Just real people, real conversations, and real estate done the right way. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, looking for more space, or ready to downsize, I’m here to help you navigate every twist and turn so you feel prepared and confident every step of the way.
Emma Ekstrand
Realtor
License ID: 114831 - 94
Emma is Polk County native, having lived in both South Dakota and North Dakota, she moved back to the place that always felt like "home" in 2018. Driven by connecting clients to a property that feels like home and meets their lifestyle needs, personal connection fuels her passion for helping others find a place where they can truly feel at peace. When not working real estate, Emma enjoys life outside, whether on the lake with her family, caring for animals on her small hobby farm, or on a new adventure.
Sara Rosengren
Realtor
License ID: 40967539
Real estate is more than a career for me, it is a way to serve my community and help people build their futures. I'm Sara Rosengren, I am licensed real estate agent in Minnesota and Wisconsin, a mom, a wife, and someone who genuinely loves helping people navigate life's big transitions. Before stepping into real estate, I spent 16 years as a personal injury paralegal, where I developed a deep understanding of contracts, negotiations and the important of protecting my clients' best interests. My business is built on education, communication, and trust. I believe my clients deserve to feel confident, informed, and truly heard throughout the entire process. That means taking the time to explain every step, answer every question, and tailor each strategy to your unique goals. Today, I use that experience to guide buyers and sellers through one of life's biggest decisions with clarity, confidence, and compassion. From first-time homebuyers to growing families and those ready to downsize, I am honored to be apart of each client's journey. My promise is simple: I will treat your goals like my own, advocate for you every step of the way, and work tirelessly to help you succeed
Born and raised in the St. Croix Valley, I’m proud to call both Minnesota and Wisconsin home — and even prouder to help others find theirs. After spending nine years out west in Idaho, I eventually found my way back to my Midwest roots with a whole new appreciation for what makes this area so special. Before becoming a licensed Realtor®, I worked full-time behind the scenes in real estate — managing the details that keep transactions running smoothly from start to finish. That experience gave me a deep understanding of the process, strong organizational skills, and a love for problem-solving. Most of all, it showed me just how much I enjoy helping people through one of the biggest transitions of their lives. I’m also a former hockey mom who spent years traveling across the U.S. and Canada chasing tournaments, early mornings, and bad hotel coffee. Those experiences taught me patience, grit, and how to laugh through the chaos — skills that come in handy every single day in real estate. Now, as a Realtor® licensed in both WI & MN, I get to combine my love for people, my behind-the-scenes know-how, and my local expertise to guide clients through every step of their home journey. My clients describe me as approachable, genuine, a great friend and fun. When I’m not working with buyers and sellers, you’ll find me catching some live music, kayaking down the river, or teaching a kickboxing class or soaking up family time. At the end of the day, I’m passionate about people — and helping them find the place that feels like home is what keeps me inspired every single day.
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PLACE provides value to our clients by connecting them with industry leaders who waive unnecessary fees and charges, employ state-of-the-art search technology, guarantee transaction transparency, and provide a consistent experience to buyers and sellers in any price point in any geographic location in North America.
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