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
Short-lived mortgage rate dip fueled Twin Cities home-buying spike in October
Pending sales were up double digits for the first time this year.
November 14, 2024
Business
A rental reckoning is coming to Twin Cities housing
After a brief lull in renting this fall, apartment construction is going to plummet, causing more competition and higher rents.
November 14, 2024
Real Estate
Office vacancies along 494 strip stabilize for first time since pandemic
The Bloomington “strip” along I-494 is the second-largest and second-emptiest office sector in the metro. But that might be changing.
November 11, 2024
Real Estate
Why now might be the best time to shop for a Minnesota lake home
For buyers weary of competition, fall and winter are the best, and often cheapest, days to shop for lakeshore property.
November 4, 2024
Real Estate
Office-to-housing conversions could revive Twin Cities downtowns, but at what cost?
Minneapolis and St. Paul leaders are pegging such conversion projects as the key to downtown revitalization, but it's easier said than done.
November 2, 2024
Real Estate
Three Twin Cities area homes with lake views but not lake prices, starting at $165K
Lakeshore property in Minnesota is typically expensive and can be an hours-long drive. But compromising for a view of the water instead of private shoreline provides more affordable and suburban options.
November 1, 2024
Real Estate
One solution for downtown Minneapolis’ vacant offices: Affordable ‘co-living’ housing
Researchers at Pew Charitable Trusts teamed with planning firm Gensler to explore how converting empty office buildings into "single-room occupancy” rental units could solve downtown areas' lack of affordable housing and struggling commercial real estate.
October 22, 2024
Real Estate
Twin Cities area home prices rising far less than in rest of U.S.
Home prices are still on the rise but are far below the national average. That’s relieving some pressure for rate-weary buyers but isn’t as celebrated among sellers looking for equity.
October 19, 2024
Real Estate
Office-to-housing conversions could revive Twin Cities downtowns, but at what cost?
Minneapolis and St. Paul leaders are pegging such conversion projects as the key to downtown revitalization, but it's easier said than done.
November 2, 2024
Real Estate
Three Twin Cities area homes with lake views but not lake prices, starting at $165K
Lakeshore property in Minnesota is typically expensive and can be an hours-long drive. But compromising for a view of the water instead of private shoreline provides more affordable and suburban options.
November 1, 2024
Real Estate
One solution for downtown Minneapolis’ vacant offices: Affordable ‘co-living’ housing
Researchers at Pew Charitable Trusts teamed with planning firm Gensler to explore how converting empty office buildings into "single-room occupancy” rental units could solve downtown areas' lack of affordable housing and struggling commercial real estate.
October 22, 2024
Real Estate
Twin Cities area home prices rising far less than in rest of U.S.
Home prices are still on the rise but are far below the national average. That’s relieving some pressure for rate-weary buyers but isn’t as celebrated among sellers looking for equity.
October 19, 2024