Who was the busiest real estate team in the nation last year? They're from Minnesota.

The Ryan O'Neill Team at Remax Advantage Plus in Lakeville nabbed the top spot on the Real Trends fifth annual survey of real estate agents.According to the survey, which ranks 1,000 agents across the country, O'Neill's team had 764 transacation sides, which means that he or one of his agents either represented the buyer or seller, or both. The O'Neill team was also the top Minnesota team when it comes to team transaction volume; during 2010 his team did $137 million in business. The top team, The Creig Northrop Team out of Clarksville, MD, sold more than twice as much.

The survey is sent to thousands of associations, agents and brokers across the country, but participation isn't mandatory. Real Trends editor, Steve Murry, said that the data is double-checked several times, including requiring that agents and their brokers verify that the information is accurate.

The survey also ranks agents based individual volume and transaction sides. For individual transaction sides Jesse Graber of Edina Realty in Northfield was No. 30 on the list with 273 transaction sides. For volume the top agent in Minnesota was George Stickney, who sells high-end houses for Coldwell Banker Burnet. He was No. 202 on the list with 2010 sales of almost $40 million.

It wasn't surprising that most of the companies that dominated the list of most transaction sides specialize in selling bank-owned listings. In fact, 7 of the top 10 teams on the list this year sell mostly foreclosures. What is surprising, though, is that the downturn doesn't seem to have taken its toll on total sales volume.

For both individual and teams, those are top were selling almost as much as the top agents did five years, and those that posted the highest volume were in high-buck markets in California and New York.

Here are top Minnesota teams (by volume): No. 148: Minnesota Home Team, Savage, RE/MAX Advantage Plus. $50 million. No. 170: Brace Helgeson Group, Eden Prairie , Coldwell Banker Burnet. $48 million. No. 197: The Desrochers Team, Burnsville, Coldwell Banker Burnet. $44 million No. 202: Barry Berg Group, Minneapolis, Coldwell Banker Burnet, $43 million. No. 219: The Meredith Howell Group, Wayzata, Coldwell Banker Burnet, $42 million.