Jim Buchta
Reporter
Residential real estateBuchta has taken breaks from those beats to edit the Star Tribune's Real Estate sections and Travel, and to ghost write a book about getaway homes. He also has an intense interest in architecture, agriculture and the environment. He lives part-time on a tree farm and has a particular expertise in building science and food.
Latest from Jim Buchta
Real Estate
Minnesota’s priciest and most affordable ZIP codes in 2024
Data from Zillow and the Minneapolis Area Realtors tell the story of last year’s housing market in the Twin Cities and beyond. Upper-bracket buyers spent freely in cities like Edina and Minnetonka Beach, while everyone else dealt with high mortgage rates and few listings.
February 13, 2025
Real Estate
Industrial buildings still stars of the Twin Cities commercial real estate world
The overall vacancy rate for warehouse space in the metro ended 2024 at 4.6%, two percentage points below the national average and a fraction of the double-digit vacancies plaguing office buildings, according to Colliers.
February 6, 2025
Real Estate
A car wash on every corner: How subscriptions are driving the boom in the Twin Cities
These high-tech, tunnel-style, drive-thru car washes are all over the metro suburbs and making big money.
January 25, 2025
Real Estate
As Twin Cities area office building owners stomach tanking values, buyers see opportunity
Despite the deep discounts, there’s optimism in the office market, at least for those involved in the highest-quality spaces in the most desirable locations.
January 18, 2025
Real Estate
Twin Cities homebuilding gained ground in 2024 despite high mortgage rates
Homebuilding outpaced apartment construction in the Twin Cities last year as both homebuyers and developers struggled with affordability.
January 13, 2025
Real Estate
Foreclosures are down in Minnesota, but mortgage scams are on the rise
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office recently issued a warning about an uptick in complaints from homeowners, saying mortgage-assistance frauds usually contact vulnerable owners with unsolicited mailings and ask for up-front payments.
December 27, 2024
Real Estate
Minnesota homebuyers had more options in November, when sales increased for a second month
Prices also increased statewide, with the median closing price last month in the Twin Cities at $375,000.
December 17, 2024
Real Estate
Minneapolis might soon approve largest condo project in half a decade
Amid a drop-off in multifamily construction, a pair of Twin Cities developers will seek final city approval this month to build 15 upscale condos in the Linden Hills neighborhood.
December 12, 2024
Real Estate
Twin Cities homebuilding gained ground in 2024 despite high mortgage rates
Homebuilding outpaced apartment construction in the Twin Cities last year as both homebuyers and developers struggled with affordability.
January 13, 2025
Real Estate
Foreclosures are down in Minnesota, but mortgage scams are on the rise
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office recently issued a warning about an uptick in complaints from homeowners, saying mortgage-assistance frauds usually contact vulnerable owners with unsolicited mailings and ask for up-front payments.
December 27, 2024
Real Estate
Minnesota homebuyers had more options in November, when sales increased for a second month
Prices also increased statewide, with the median closing price last month in the Twin Cities at $375,000.
December 17, 2024
Real Estate
Minneapolis might soon approve largest condo project in half a decade
Amid a drop-off in multifamily construction, a pair of Twin Cities developers will seek final city approval this month to build 15 upscale condos in the Linden Hills neighborhood.
December 12, 2024