How do outsiders see Minneapolis? It's all about perspective ...by Joe Grunnet

It was one of those perfect Minneapolis summer afternoons. A Wednesday, about 80 degrees, sun out.

I had a 4:30 showing at The Ivy Residences  downtown. I got there early, valeted my car at The Ivy and walked down Nicollet Mall for a quick bite.

When I got back, I sat down at the lobby bar for a glass of water before the showing. An older couple was sitting near me, talking about their trip.

"What a great city."

As I got up to leave, I asked where they were from.

"New Jersey."

They asked where I was from. I told them, "Right here."

Then they said, "What a great city."

I laughed. "I know. It's not burning down, right?"

They chuckled, but then they…

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If you saw the headline about an 11.3% property tax increase and your stomach dropped, you are not alone. I have been getting a lot of questions about it.

Let me give you the real numbers, the reason behind them, and the part nobody in the news coverage is talking about: what your actual options are.

  • WHAT WAS ACTUALLY PROPOSED
  • WHY THIS IS HAPPENING
  • THE HONEST MATH ON YOUR BILL
  • NONE OF THIS IS FINAL YET
  • WHAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO ABOUT IT

What Was Actually Proposed

On August 12, Mayor Jacob Frey unveiled a $2.3 billion budget for 2027. It includes an 11.3% increase to the city property tax levy. For the owner of a median-value Minneapolis home, currently $351,400, that works out to about $409 more per year, or $34 a month.

…

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Why do some condos sit on the market for months while others attract the right buyers and the right offers? This report outlines the key strategies that give condo sellers a decisive advantage in today's market.

Economic times are changing. The real estate marketplace is changing too — and so must your home-selling strategy. With conflicting housing reports and ongoing uncertainty, it's easy to feel stuck. But with the right information, you can avoid the pitfalls most sellers fall into and get your home sold at the best price in the timeframe you need.

1. The Biggest Blunder That Keeps Condos "For Sale" Too Long

The most critical decision you'll make as a seller is where to set your asking price. Sellers have three choices: below market value,…

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Navigating the Minneapolis Real Estate Market in 2026

Every new year brings questions about the Minneapolis real estate market. Is now a good time to buy? Should you sell? What’s actually happening out there? As we move through 2026, one thing is clear: the market isn’t chaotic, frozen, or falling apart. It’s more thoughtful. And strategy matters more than ever.

Here’s what we’re seeing on the ground.

Market overview

Minneapolis has always been a neighborhood-driven market, and that hasn’t changed. What has changed is how buyers and sellers approach decisions.

We’re no longer in a rush-everything, bid-over-asking environment. But we’re also not in a wait-and-see standstill. Well-priced homes in strong locations still move. Others don’t.

…

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These are hard days in Minneapolis.  #HEARTMPLS

There’s a lot happening in our city right now, fear, uncertainty, tension and many of our residents, neighbors, clients, and local business owners do not feel safe in their own homes or communities. That weighs on us.

As a company rooted here since 2007,  we want to be clear about where we stand.

At the most basic level, every person deserves to feel safe in their home, in their neighborhood, and while going about daily life. Right now, that sense of safety is missing for many people around us.

We may not all see things the same way, but we can agree on this: our city needs empathy, calm leadership, and people willing to stand with their community, not turn away from it.

This is a moment to…

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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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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 or Townhome 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, townhome, 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 (MMM) Program, offered only twice a year, lets you sell off-market on your own terms. Our goal was to give Downtown Minneapolis condo and…

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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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