Recent content from Jim Buchta
Home builders in the Twin Cities go to town on apartments
In the Twin Cities metro, apartment construction increased while single-family housing declined during June
Twin Cities real estate broker Kris Lindahl wants to trademark that big stretch
The founder of Kris Lindahl Real Estate says copycats are co-opting his arms-out pose that's on billboards across the state.
Looking for a lake home in Minn. this summer? Get in a long line
Lake homes are a hot commodity in 2022, but rising mortgage rates and gas prices could make it a little easier later this year.
Developer goes with the flow with $20 million makeover of Riverplace
Much overdue renovations of the Minneapolis riverfront office complex will focus on deferred maintenance and attracting new office tenants.
Housing market in the Twin Cities loosened just a bit last month
Houses in the Twin Cities are now "lasting on the market for more than a few hours," one Realtor said.
Twin Cities couple aim to preserve the history of every home in the nation
Amanda Zielike and David Decker created HouseNovel, a website that combines photos and stories about homes.
HomeServices of America expands its brokerage reach in New Jersey
Twin Cities-based HomeServices of America said it had acquired Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Jersey Properties, which has more than 600 agents in northern and central New Jersey.
Apartment construction tripled in the Twin Cities during May
Rental construction soared while single-family construction fell, according to a monthly building permit report.
Want to buy a cabin Up North this year? You'll need these strategies and some luck
The real estate market in Minnesota's lake country is even tighter than in the Twin Cities these days.
Developers hope $200M update brings Northstar Center back to life
Sherman Associates joins Polaris Properties in a long-awaited overhaul of a complex that covers nearly an entire block.
Study: Minorities remain much more likely to be denied mortgage in Twin Cities
The Federal Reserve of Minneapolis found that income differences account for just a portion of the gap in mortgage approvals by race.
Hines plans a 29-story tower to fill a gap in the Minneapolis skyline
The proposal comes amid soft demand for downtown office space, and would preserve an iconic mural made famous by Prince on the wall of the adjacent Schmitt Music building.
Housing prices hit record, but more sellers looking to list
Agents say higher mortgage rates are bringing Twin Cities sellers into market, as they fear their pricing power is about to erode.
New customer 'dashboard' from Edina Realty tracks the home-buying process
Backers of MyAtlas say it was designed to let buyers and sellers track the progress of a home purchase just like when you buy a pizza.
How to negotiate a mortgage in Minnesota when rates are rising quickly
Mortgage rates are at their highest level in more than a decade — and moving quickly.
Rising mortgage rates boost demand for Twin Cities apartments, pushing up rents
With fewer vacant apartments in the Twin Cities, rents increased slightly during the first three months of the year.
April was best on record for home builders in the Twin Cities area
Permits to build houses and apartments soared last month after a sluggish start to 2022.
Rental apps become a key to reviving old Minnesota hotels
Developer Grant Carlson plans to use technology to run two historic boutique hotels.
JoAnne Korkki, a good neighbor in Brooklyn Center, dies at 87
She did what she could to make the lives of her neighbors a little better.
Home prices rising in Twin Cities, but not as fast as other metro regions
Prices in the Twin Cities area are rising at about half the national average, attracting buyers from more expensive parts of the country.
Twin Cities home buyers hustle as mortgage rates rise and supply remains tight
The number of home sales fell again in the region last month as supply tightened further and prices rose.
Rochester building sets record for most expensive apartment sale in Minn.
The 350-unit Berkman Apartments, which opened in 2020, sold for $536,000 per unit.
Minnesota real estate agents vastly outnumber houses to sell
During the pandemic, nearly 20,000 people signed up to sell real estate in Minnesota.
Buyers battle for $1 million houses in the Twin Cities area
With listings dwindling, there are now bidding wars for upper-bracket houses in the metro area.
Homebuilding fell slightly during March in the Twin Cities
Apartment construction increased while single-family units retreated.
2 months into year, sellers still control metro housing market
A shortage of listings in February caused a decline in sales but an increase in prices.
Galleria Edina, the fanciest mall in the Twin Cities, is sold to local investors for $150 million
The mall's Houston-based owner had tried to sell it just before the pandemic but then put its plans on hold.
As Minneapolis workers return, there's a new tower on skyline
The RBC Gateway tower is the tallest office building to be built downtown in 30 years and is expected to bring round-the-clock energy to the north end of Nicollet Mall.
Residential building permits in the Twin Cities tumbled in February
Permits to build apartments and single-family houses fell to the lowest level for any February since 2016.
Apartment demand high, rents rose slightly in Twin Cities last year
There were fewer apartment vacancies in the Twin Cities, but rent gains were modest and were among the lowest in the nation.
Twin Cities homebuyers flocked to these neighborhoods in 2021
The most dynamic neighborhood in Minneapolis for home buyers last year was in the northeast corner of the city, according to the Star Tribune's Hot Housing Index.
New owners for a pair of high-profile office buildings in Hopkins
Atlanta-based Bridge Investment Group has acquired two of the three buildings at Excelsior Crossings.
With supply plunging, Twin Cities home sales declined last month and prices rose
Higher mortgage rates and a shortage of listings stifled sales and increased demand in some areas.
Where buyers have best odds in Twin Cities area housing market
These communities had the most listings, lowest price increases and least amount of competition, according to a Star Tribune list of the best markets for home buyers.
With office space in flux, developer Ryan adds light industrial buildings to portfolio
The company recently bought industrial buildings in Minnetonka and Edina, expanding its holdings in that fast-growing sector.
2022 off to a strong start for Twin Cities homebuilders
On Monday, brokerage Redfin said 38% of single-family homes for sale in the Twin Cities metro during December were new construction — the second-highest share of the 50 metros surveyed.
Hottest Twin Cities housing markets were far out from cities
The exurbs rose in popularity and price as the pandemic unfolded in 2020, and then they took all 10 hottest spots this past year.
Exurbs rise to the top in ranking of Twin Cities area's hottest housing markets
Space and lower prices helped cities on the edge climb to the top of the Star Tribune's latest Hot Housing Index.
Twin Cities home sales at a 20-year high, listings at a 20-year low
The residential real estate market was so tight in 2021 that the average sale price rose 11%.
Thomson Reuters may sell all or part of Eagan campus as hybrid work becomes norm
Office park built for 7,000 people may soon have only 2,000 to 3,000 people in it each day, while the rest work at home.
Sale of 435-acre site opens door for massive residential development in Rosemount
The project will be the biggest development in the city, one of the fastest-growing in the metro area.
Edina Realty enters South Dakota market with purchase of Hegg Realtors
Its parent company, HomeServices of America, also announced three other deals across the country.
Homebuilding in the Twin Cities reached a 16-year high in 2021
Rental apartments accounted for more than half of all housing construction during 2021.
Hennepin County will have an extra $91 million in federal funds to spend on housing next year
The money will boost the county's normal one-year spending by more than 60%. Its goal is to help 1,000 homeless people and create 2,000 affordable housing units.
U.S. Bank Stadium to get new neighbor — a 342-unit apartment tower
Ryan Cos. and Weidner Homes expect to break ground this spring on the 24-story tower.
A new apartment building in Minneapolis is one step in filling an enormous market need
The non-profit developer of Amber Apartments in Minneapolis had ten times as many tenant applicants as the building had units.
Worried about rising rates and prices, Twin Cities homebuyers are still on the hunt
Home buying last month was on par with last year, but prices are still on the rise.
United Properties triples its commitment to senior housing
The company plans a national expansion for its senior housing business, which will be branded Amira.
Alatus' Lexington Station project in St. Paul loses equity partner
Developer of the project on Lexington Parkway said the investment partner cited the new rent control statute passed in November.
National investors snapping up Twin Cities area houses to rent
The effects — higher prices, greater competition and out-of-state landlords showing less care for properties and renters — are becoming harder to ignore as some neighborhoods are transformed.
Twin Cities home building permits down 12% during November
Despite the decline in single-family construction during November, apartment construction increased slightly, putting housing construction on track to beat 2020.
Just as Zillow exits dealmaking business, RedfinNow puts down roots in Twin Cities
The iBuyers aim to upend the traditional brokerage model by offering nearly instant cash offers
Home sales, price gains in the Twin Cities during October more subdued than last year
But the year-ago numbers were inflated because people were catching up after the pandemic disrupted spring and summer shopping for houses in 2020.
Twin Cities rents up just 2.1% as units are leased at record pace
Demand for suburban rentals is driving metro-area rent gains. There's less demand in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, and studios aren't hot anymore.
Are people really moving out of the Twin Cities?
Group studied the impact of urban unrest, rising crime and the COVID-19 pandemic on the Twin Cities housing market.
Zillow exits home deals; it had a small presence in Twin Cities real estate
The company, which hoped to revolutionize home buying and selling, has fewer than 200 listings in the Twin Cities, a market where about 6,000 homes are sold monthly.
Twin Cities real estate agent leads diversity approach across U.S. for Keller Williams
Julia Lashay Israel is the new Head of Inclusion and Belonging for Keller Williams, helping its diversity efforts and training other real estate agents.
Home building in the Twin Cities down for the third month in a row
Despite the October decline, single-family permits so far this year are outpacing 2020.
Home Depot, Fed Ex are building giant warehouses in Rosemount
The sprawling facilities add to a rapid expansion of the metro's industrial warehouse sector.
Twin Cities 'housing unaffordability' leaves few options for lowest income families
The lack of affordable housing is getting worse for the lowest income families each year, with house prices at record highs and rents on the rise.
Frenetic Twin Cities home sales slow to a bit more normal
The fall market hasn't been as brisk as it was last year, but it remains one of the strongest seller's markets in recent years by virtually every measure.
Twin Cities entrepreneurs turn their RVs into lucrative 'Airbnbs on wheels'
Travelers seeking the nomadic lifestyle without the hassle of RV ownership embrace a growing number of local and national websites.
Home building permits in Twin Cities down for second month, but still high
'Fervent pace' dropping, but construction remains above historical averages in part because of strong demand earlier this year.
$50M grant will help low-income, immigrant students at Carleton
Carleton College must match grant to receive the Schuler Education Foundation funds.
Deadline extended to apply for school COVID testing money
Public and tribal schools in Minnesota will have until Oct. 15 to apply for grants that will help fund COVID-19 testing programs for students and…
No wonder it's hard to find a new home: Twin Cities has worst housing shortage in the nation
After more than a decade of underbuilding, the lack of housing poses a growing threat to the region's economic growth.
Twin Cities area home prices see another double-digit increase in August
There was a double-digit annual decline in house listings.
Free rent? Not so much anymore in the Twin Cities
The rental market in the Twin Cities is showing signs of a rebound with property managers reporting declining vacancies and rising rents so far this year.
Twin Cities home sales slipped in July amid tight supply; prices remain at record highs
Buyers signed slightly fewer purchase agreements last month compared to July 2020. And prices rose at a double-digit percentage rate.
Housing frenzy in Twin Cities a little less frantic?
The housing market in the Twin Cities is still on fire, but monthly sales dropped in June for the first time in more than a year.
Twin Cities area condo owners worry after Florida tower's collapse
A spotlight on deferred maintenance is prompting Minnesotans to question if enough is being done to maintain their buildings.
Realty Group, others fuel growth of independent Minnesota real estate brokers
Independents are typically locally owned and unaffiliated with a franchise — and are growing quickly.
Twin Cities home building stays strong in June
Permits to build single-family homes in the Twin Cities increased 63%; permits to build rentals lagged.
A $240 million makeover for a blighted Minnehaha Creek site in Hopkins
The project will include nearly 800 apartments and townhomes, a new pond and better access to the popular creek.
Homeownership gap in the Twin Cities is highest in the nation
A surge in single-family rentals in Hennepin and Ramsey counties is eliminating options for minority and low-income buyers.
