Minnesota Real Estate For Sale

Much of Minnesota is defined based on the body of water it is nearest- the Twin Cities, for example, are separated by the Mississippi River, and the state contains a huge amount of lakes. But whether you choose to live in a metropolitan area like the Twin Cities or some of the more small-town enclaves in the state, the Minnesota real estate market is diverse and offers options for everyone. Minnesota real estate prices may vary depending on the area you choose. The state's median home is priced at $335,00, but real estate in Minnesota's metropolitan areas like the Twin Cities will be on the higher end to account for the additional amenities available.

Minnesota boasts one of the highest homeownership rates in the Midwest, with over 71% of homes occupied by an owner rather than a renter. With most homes being built in the early and mid-20th century, it is easy to see that Minnesota is a place where people have placed roots and continued family lines by investing in homes. Minnesota real estate is reflective of the family-centric culture, with an average size of over 1,800 square feet.

The majority of homes for sale in Minnesota are single-family, detached units in a variety of styles. Since most homes in the state have a basement, you'll find many multi-level homes that use the extra space, but the most popular style is the mid-century modern ranch or rambler. These simple real estate in Minnesota reflect the lifestyle in the state's history, allowing lots of space for family and large windows that allow you to take in the sights.

The school system in Minnesota is known for having low dropout rates, high test scores, and low student-to-teacher ratios that make it a great place for families and children. All K-12 education is under the umbrella of the Minnesota Department of Education, which oversees all school districts. Most of the state's 553 school districts are independent and operated by a superintendent, serving 845,000 students each year.

Even among the high-quality schools in the state, some standout districts are considered the best in Minnesota. St. Michael-Albertville Schools is the highest ranked district regarding graduation rates, with over 99% of students graduating high school. Centennial School District also boasts a high graduation rate and is known for over 78% of the teachers holding a master's degree. Other top districts include Farmington Area Public Schools, Hopkins Public Schools, and Mahtomedi Public Schools.

Minnesota real estate also has access to almost 200 institutions of higher education, including the University of Minnesota, whose Twin Cities campus is the sixth-largest American campus by enrollment size.

Minnesota is home to 9 major passenger service airports, including 4 international airports. Minneapolis-St Paul International and Duluth International Airport are the largest two.  

Possibly the most famous attraction in Minnesota is the Mall of America, located on the outskirts of St. Paul. The mall has over 500 stores, dozens of restaurants, theaters, a hotel, and an amusement park. But more often, the outdoors are the biggest draw in Minnesota, including the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for its pristine waters, unobstructed landscape, and opportunities for watching the wildlife. North Shore Scenic Drive is a great way to take in these sights from your car, or you can enjoy recreational activities along Lake Superior like boating, fishing, and mountain biking. In the winter, skiing, snowshoeing, and ice-fishing become the activities of choice. Other outdoor activities include a plethora of national parks, endless lakes, and the International Wolf Center.

Young professionals choose to reside in Minnesota real estate for job opportunities the state has to offer. Agriculture has been the core industry of Minnesota since the state was formed, and it continues to be a critical part of the state's economy today. The state is home to almost 75,000 farms and 26 million acres of fertile land, accounting for 340,000 jobs. This land is used for the production of sugar beets, sweet corn, soybeans, wild rice, and oats, which Minnesota is in the top 10 producers of in the nation. The state also ranks second in hog sales and fourth in milk production across the country.

Besides agriculture, Minnesota also has a large number of manufacturing facilities, a number of active mines, and sources of energy production.

While Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, this is not completely accurate. In fact, the state has 11,842 lakes in total, ranging from Lake Superior and other Great Lakes to small, local bodies of water. Wherever you live in the state, you will never be far from a great view.

A national safety index uses a scale of 0 to 100 to indicate safety for each state, with a national average of 41.4. Minnesota comes in below this, at 37. The state is below national averages for both violent crime and property crime. These rates are also the lowest for the Midwest region as a whole.

Minnesota is, in many ways, the embodiment of Midwestern values and demonstrates where some of these stereotypes may come from. Everyone is willing to talk to newcomers, help them as needed, and even drop off a hot dish (Minnesotan for casserole!) as a show of support. In fact, "Minnesota nice" is a phrase you may hear a lot to reflect the neighborly and welcoming attitude throughout the state.

Minnesota's winters are very cold, with winter highs rarely coming above freezing. The state gets between 36 and 70 inches of snowfall per year, depending on what area of the state you are in, but there is plenty to go around. You'll rarely hear a local complain about the winter, though, as most people are well prepared. Summers make up for the season, with temperatures that reach the low-to-mid 80s and a nice breeze that is perfect lake weather.

One of the biggest perks of living in Minnesota real estate is the number of outdoor activities, sights, and resources available across the state. With over 10,000 lakes, Minnesotans can often be found fishing, boating, swimming, and otherwise enjoying their natural resources. But even in the frigid winters, the hearty folks in the state will find a way to make the best of it- you can find them skiing, skating, and snowshoeing on these same lakes once they've frozen over.

When braving the cold doesn't sound like fun, there is a huge amount of cultural activity you can do in the Minnesota indoors. The Mall of America is not what locals would consider part of the culture, but it's the biggest tourist attraction in the state. Far more than a typical mall, the Mall of America is 4.2 million square feet and contains a hotel, theaters, and an entire amusement park in addition to traditional mall fare.

In the Twin Cities and other towns, you'll find much more niche and interesting cultural activities. The theater scene in St. Paul and Minneapolis is the second largest per capita, behind only New York City, for example. Minnesota is full of art museums, galleries, and art centers at nearly every turn, including the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which is world famous for a giant spoon and cherry sculpture that overlooks the skyline.

Other Minnesotans prefer to take in the culture through sports. Not only is Minnesota home to the 1980s Miracle on Ice Team and the Mighty Ducks, but the state also has a lot of non-fictional sports events as well. The proximity to Canada means hockey is a big deal there, and the pro-hockey Minnesota Wild is a fan favorite. You'll also find the NFL's Vikings, NBA's Timberwolves, and a top-tier WNBA team of the Minnesota Lynx.

Whether you're at a tailgate or a Superbowl party, you'll also be able to enjoy the comfort food Minnesota is known for serving. Hot dish, often layered with meat and tater tots, is a staple in both good and bad times. But you can also find German and Scandinavian cuisine throughout the state, from enormous bratwursts to fresh hot pretzels. And don't forget to grab a Juicy Lucy, a local burger with cheese in the middle of the patty.