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Real Estate in Minneapolis, Saint Paul & surrounding suburbs
Clear Answers for Homeowners and Buyers
If you’re thinking about selling, buying, or making a move in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, or the surrounding Twin Cities suburbs, you’re probably running into a lot of noise, headlines, opinions, and advice that doesn’t always apply to your situation.
This page is here to answer the questions we hear most often from homeowners and buyers in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and the Twin Cities suburbs. These answers come from the Matt Engen Group, a licensed real estate team with RE/MAX Results serving the Twin Cities metro for over 25 years. Our goal isn't to rush decisions — it's to help you understand what actually matters, what doesn't, and how timing, preparation, and strategy affect outcomes in this market.This page is here to answer the questions we hear most often from homeowners and buyers who want clarity, not pressure. The goal isn’t to rush decisions. It’s to help you understand what actually matters, what doesn’t, and how timing, preparation, and strategy affect outcomes in the Minneapolis & Saint Paul real estate market.
Selling a home in Minneapolis & Saint Paul
Do I need to renovate before selling my home in Minneapolis?
Not always. In fact, many homes sell well without major renovations. The real question isn’t should I update its will this update change how buyers perceive value?
We help sellers evaluate:
- Which improvements genuinely affect price or buyer demand.
- What can be cleaned, styled, or left as-is.
- When small adjustments outperform large projects.
For older homes and established neighborhoods, respecting the character of the home often matters more than chasing trends
How do I price my home to sell in Minneapolis or Saint Paul?
Pricing isn’t about guessing or leaving room to negotiate its about positioning.
We look at:
- Recent comparable sales (not just active listings)
- Buyer behavior in your specific neighborhood
- Market momentum and seasonality
The right price creates confidence. Overpricing creates hesitation. Strategic pricing is still one of the most important decisions a seller makes.
How long does it take to sell a home in Minneapolis or Saint Paul?
Timing varies by neighborhood, price point, and preparation.
Some homes sell quickly because they’re well-positioned. Others take longer because buyers aren’t quite sure how to value them.
What matters most:
- Preparation before listing.
- Clear marketing and expectations.
- Understanding how buyers are behaving right now, not last year.
Buying a home in Minneapolis, Saint Paul & the surrounding suburbs
How much does it cost to sell a home in Minneapolis?
More than most sellers expect when they add it all up. Here's a realistic breakdown:
Agent commission. Typically 5–6% of the sale price, split between the listing agent and buyer's agent. On a $350,000 home, that's $17,500–$21,000. This is negotiable and varies by agent and transaction.
Closing costs. Sellers in Minnesota typically pay 1–3% of the sale price in closing costs. This includes title fees, transfer taxes, and any prorated property taxes. Budget roughly $3,500–$10,500 on a $350,000 home.
Prep and repairs. This is the most variable cost and the one sellers most often underestimate. Light cleaning and staging can run a few hundred dollars. Meaningful updates — paint, flooring, landscaping, appliances — can run $5,000–$20,000 or more depending on the home's condition and what the market expects.
Carrying costs. If the home takes 30–60 days to sell, factor in mortgage payments, utilities, and insurance during that period. Total out-of-pocket costs for most Minneapolis sellers run between 8–10% of the sale price before any repairs. The goal of good preparation and pricing strategy is to net more than you spend — which is why we help sellers evaluate what's worth doing before they commit to anything.
Questions about your specific situation? Reach us at (612) 817-2805 or team@mattengengroup.com.
Buying a Home in Minneapolis & Saint Paul
Is it a good time to buy a home in Minneapolis or St. Paul right now?
The right time to buy depends less on headlines and more on your personal goals.
We help buyers think through:
- Monthly payment comfort
- Long-term plans (3–7 years matters more than short-term shifts)
- Whether competition or inventory affects their specific search
Buying with clarity usually leads to better outcomes than trying to time the market perfectly.
How competitive is the Twin Cities real estate market?
Some segments of the Minneapolis–St. Paul market remain highly competitive, while others have softened.
Competition depends on:
- Location
- Condition
- Price Range
We help buyers understand where they need to be decisive and where they can slow down and negotiate.
What neighborhoods in (and near) Minneapolis are best for buyers?
It depends on what you're optimizing for — walkability, schools, price, long-term value, or lifestyle. Here's an honest breakdown of what different parts of the city tend to offer:
Southwest Minneapolis (Kenwood, Lowry Hill, Linden Hills, Fulton) — Higher price points, strong long-term values, walkable to lakes and local retail. Competitive inventory.
South Minneapolis (Hale, Diamond Lake, Field, Lynnhurst, Northrop) — More attainable prices than Southwest, established neighborhoods, good transit scores. Popular with buyers who want character homes without the Kenwood premium.
Northeast Minneapolis — Creative district feel, younger buyer demographic, strong appreciation in recent years. More diverse housing stock including newer condos and converted spaces.
Edina and Eden Prairie — Technically suburbs, but popular with buyers prioritizing school districts and newer construction. Higher price points, less urban character.
Burnsville, Richfield, Bloomington — More affordable entry points into the metro with solid commute access. Good options for buyers stretching their budget or prioritizing space over location.
We maintain neighborhood pages for many of the communities we work in most frequently. If you're narrowing down where to focus your search, we're happy to talk through what fits your situation.
What is the average home price in Minneapolis?
It varies by neighborhood and property type, but current data puts the median sale price in Minneapolis around $340,000–$355,000, with single-family homes averaging closer to $335,000 and condos averaging around $250,000.
The range across the metro is wide. Established neighborhoods like Kenwood, Lowry Hill, and parts of Southwest Minneapolis regularly see homes priced well above $500,000. More affordable options exist in areas like Northeast Minneapolis, North Minneapolis, and many of the southern suburbs.
A few things worth knowing about the current market:
Homes are selling in roughly 22–49 days depending on price point and preparation. Inventory remains relatively tight at about 3.6 months of supply. Well-priced, well-prepared homes are still receiving multiple offers.
Market conditions shift by neighborhood, price range, and time of year. If you want a specific picture of what homes are selling for in your area right now, we're happy to walk you through it.
PLANNING AHEAD
How far in advance should I plan to sell my home?
Earlier than you think and without pressure. Many of our clients start planning:
- 6–12 months ahead
- Or even years in advance
This allows time to:
- Spread out decisions
- Avoid rushed repairs and decluttering
- Sell in a way that feels thoughtful instead of stressful
Planning doesn’t mean committing. It means understanding options.
What if I’m just gathering information and not ready to move?
That’s not only okay it’s smart.
We regularly talk with homeowners who:
- Aren’t sure when they’ll move
- Want to understand future value
- Are considering downsizing or a move-up purchase
Good decisions come from good information, not urgency.
Choosing a Real Estate Agent
How do I choose a real estate agent in Minneapolis?
Look for someone with verifiable local experience, not just a license and a friendly photo.
A few things that actually matter:
Transaction volume in your market. An agent doing 5 deals a year sees the market differently than one doing 50. Volume matters because pattern recognition — knowing when a price is off, when a home will move fast, when to hold — comes from repetition.
Neighborhood-specific knowledge. Minneapolis has more than 80 distinct neighborhoods with very different buyer pools, price dynamics, and inventory patterns. An agent who works across all of them isn't necessarily an expert in any of them.
Verified reviews from real clients. Look for reviews on Zillow, Google, or other third-party platforms — not testimonials curated on an agent's own website.
Rankings you can look up. RealTrends is the real estate industry's most recognized performance ranking. If an agent is RealTrends Verified, that placement is publicly verifiable.
The Matt Engen Group is RealTrends Verified, ranked #9 in Minneapolis for transactions, and has more than 100 verified 5-star reviews on Zillow. We're happy to answer any questions about how we work before you commit to anything. Reach us at (612) 817-2805 or team@mattengengroup.com.
Who is the best real estate agent in Minneapolis?
That depends on what you're looking for — but verifiable performance data is a good place to start.
Matt Engen Group with RE/MAX Results is RealTrends Verified, placing the team in the top 1.5% of real estate agents and teams nationwide. Within Minneapolis specifically, the team is ranked #9 for transactions and #12 for sales volume according to RealTrends, and has been recognized among the Top 500 Twin Cities Real Producers — the top 3% of more than 14,000 licensed agents in the metro.
We've earned more than 100 verified 5-star reviews on Zillow from buyers and sellers across Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and the surrounding suburbs.
If you want to understand what it's like to work with our team, visit our Minneapolis real estate experts page or reach out directly at (612) 817-2805.
Learn more about our experience and rankings on our Minneapolis & St. Paul Real Estate Experts Page.
Experience You Can Trust
Matt Engen Group is a RealTrends Verified real estate team with RE/MAX Results, ranked #9 in Minneapolis for transactions and among the Top 500 Twin Cities Real Producers. We are licensed in Minnesota and serve buyers and sellers throughout Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Edina, Eden Prairie, Burnsville, Richfield, and the greater Twin Cities metro.
Call (612) 817-2805 or email team@mattengengroup.com.
RealTrends Verified
The Matt Engen Group is RealTrends Verified, placing the team among the top 1.5% of real estate agents and teams nationwide.
Top ranked in Minneapolis
Ranked #9 in Minneapolis for transactions and #12 for sales volume according to RealTrends.
Top 500 in Twin Cities
Ranked in the Top 500 Twin Cities Real Producers in 2025 — the top 3% of more than 14,000 licensed agents in the Twin Cities market.
5-Star Zillow Reviews
More than 100 verified 5-star Zillow reviews.
Our Role
Our role is to guide, not push and never pressure.
We help homeowners and buyers in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and the surrounding suburbs:
• Understand the market
• Make informed decisions
• Move forward when the timing is right
Whether you’re selling soon or simply thinking ahead, having a clear picture makes the processcalmer and more manageable.
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