Complete Guide to Buying Your First Condo

Buying your first condo downtown is easier when you know the steps. Set your budget, get a lender who knows condos, learn how HOAs work, tour with a sharp eye, and write a smart offer. I'll help you avoid rookie mistakes and make your move with confidence.

  1. PICTURE YOUR DOWNTOWN LIFE
  2. NAIL YOUR NUMBERS
  3. UNDERSTAND TODAY'S COMMISSION RULES
  4. CONDOS VS. LOFTS VS. TOWNHOMES
  5. LEARN THE HOA BASICS (AND THE BIG QUESTIONS TO ASK)
  6. SET UP A SMART SEARCH AND TOURS
  7. TOUR LIKE A PRO
  8. WRITE THE RIGHT OFFER
  9. INSPECTION AND HOA DOCUMENT REVIEW
  10. APPRAISAL AND FINANCING
  11. CLOSE AND GET YOUR KEYS
  12. SETTLE IN AND LOVE YOUR CITY
     
    13. …

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What the New Commission Rules Mean for You

The way real estate commissions work had its biggest shake-up in decades in 2024. What used to be a nearly automatic 6% split between agents is now up for negotiation. That change impacts both buyers and sellers here in Minneapolis, and it comes with pros and cons. On the plus side, the process is more transparent and gives you more control. On the flip side, you'll want to have clear conversations up front so there are no surprises later.

  1. WHAT CHANGED
  2. IF YOU’RE BUYING: KNOW BEFORE YOU TOUR
  3. IF YOU’RE SELLING: MORE FLEXIBILITY, MORE STRATEGY
  4. THE FINANCIAL SIDE
  5. WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU IN MINNEAPOLIS
  6. Key Takeaways
  7. FAQS ABOUT THE NEW REAL ESTATE…

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Taking on a Unique Challenge

Even in a slow downtown market, we sold a Sexton Lofts condo in Minneapolis in under two months. How? By quickly making it market-ready (fresh paint, minor repairs, professional staging) and reviving a deal when the buyer’s financing hit a snag. Here’s proof that with the right team and strategy, your condo can sell, no matter the complexities.

  1. FROM LISTING TO CLOSING: THE TIMELINE THAT GOT IT DONE
  2. FAST, DATA-DRIVEN PREP: GETTING THE CONDO MARKET-READY
  3. FINDING THE PERFECT BUYER IN A COMPETITIVE CONDO MARKET
  4. OVERCOMING FINANCING CHALLENGES WITH CREATIVE LENDING SOLUTIONS
  5. CLOSING THE DEAL SUCCESSFULLY DESPITE MARKET HURDLES
  6. KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR SELLING A DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS…

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If you’ve ever thought about buying a home or want to learn more about the process, this class is for you. We’re excited to partner with Guild Mortgage to bring you a FREE course! 

What You’ll Learn:

How and where to start the buying process
(Spoiler: it’s not Zillow. We’ll show you what steps really matter.)

Why mortgage pre-approval is essential
A lot of people skip this step, and it can cost them. We’ll explain why it’s your best first move.

How your credit score impacts your mortgage options
We’ll bust some myths and show you how to strengthen your score before you apply.

What affects your mortgage interest rate
It’s not just your credit score. We’ll walk through the full picture.

How to calculate your purchasing power
You’ll learn how…

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From Price Cuts to a Clean Plan That Sold

The sellers started with an agent who didn’t offer strong guidance on price or prep. After many months of no bites and 1-2 showing a month, they turned to DRG for a reset. A good home at River Station Condos in the North Loop was stuck in a bad plan. My job was to reset the strategy, meet the market where it was, and build real demand fast. 

  • Oct. 31, 2024: Listed at $440,000 with another agent.

  • Nov. 19, 2024: Dropped to $425,000.

  • Feb. 25, 2025: Relisted at $415,000.

  • Apr. 22, 2025: Dropped again to $400,000.

  • May 2025: One or two showings a month. No momentum.

  • May 14, 2025: Seller contacts DRG

  • May 30, 2025: We relaunch at $409,900.

  • Aug. 1,…

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Sell Your Downtown Minneapolis Condo Off-Market, On Your Terms

You love your downtown condo and aren’t actively looking to sell, but if someone came along and offered that magic number to make you consider moving,  would you take it? 

Many Minneapolis condo, and loft owners have a “make me move” price in the back of their minds. Maybe you’re an empty nester daydreaming about a warmer climate, or a young professional who might upgrade if the stars (and dollars) align. The good news is you don’t have to list your condo publicly or deal with showings to test the market. 

The Make Me Move Program, offered only twice a year, lets you sell off-market on your own terms. Our goal was to give Downtown Minneapolis condo owners an easy, no-pressure way to…

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5 Misconceptions About Buying a Condo in Downtown Minneapolis vs. a Single-Family Home

Buying your first place in Minneapolis is exciting, but it also comes with a big decision: condo downtown or single-family home elsewhere? Many people assume they have to give up the vibrant downtown lifestyle and move to a suburban house in order to own a home. 

In reality, a downtown condo can be a smart, comparable choice to a house. This article will walk you through common misconceptions about buying a condo in Downtown Minneapolis versus a single-family home, using real examples and research.

  1. SAFETY DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS 
  2. Condo Price Depreciation
  3. HOA FEES 
  4. Space, Comfort, and Privacy
  5. Ownership Means Life in the…

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Dear Tower Lofts Homeowner,

If you’re even thinking about selling your loft in the next 3 to 24 months, here are three critical things you must consider today to set yourself up for success:

1. Is your loft updated enough to attract top-dollar offers or sell quickly?
Buyers are comparing your unit to others in the building and neighborhood, many of which are freshly updated and move-in ready.

2. Do you have a proven game plan for today’s shifting market?
The North Loop market has become more challenging for sellers due to increased inventory and pickier buyers. National experts are weighing in on how new supply is reshaping pricing dynamics— this article from The Wall Street Journal explains 

3. Are you partnered with the right expert to…

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Dear Itasca Homeowner,

If you’re even thinking about selling your condo in the next 6 to 24 months, here are three critical things you must consider today to set yourself up for success:

1. Is your condo updated enough to attract top-dollar offers or sell quickly?
Buyers are comparing your unit to others in the building and neighborhood, many of which are freshly updated and move-in ready.
(Example: Unit #521 listed at $469,900. Meanwhile, a nearby 1BR recently sold for $307,210.)

2. Do you have a proven game plan for today’s shifting market?
The North Loop market has become more challenging for sellers due to increased inventory and pickier buyers. National experts are weighing in on how new supply is reshaping pricing dynamics— this article…

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