Reporter | Residential real estate

Jim Buchta has covered real estate for the Star Tribune for several years. He also has covered energy, small business, consumer affairs and travel. 

Buchta 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.


Twin Cities architect and 'cabinologist' celebrates 20 years of Home of the Month contest

An upcoming event will offer a peek inside top residential designs and a chance to ask architects and homeowners questions.


Interest rate angst hasn't stopped Twin Cities area home buyers

Despite mortgage interest rates remaining high, the spring market is rife with listings and purchases.


As much of commercial real estate in Twin Cities struggles, med-tech flourishes

While office buildings from the suburbs to downtown Minneapolis struggle for survival, construction on more buildings in the life sciences sector is increasing, adding hundreds of thousands of square feet of labs, production space and research facilities to the Twin Cities.


Homeownership could cost you under $100,000 if you consider a manufactured home

Formerly called mobile homes, these types of dwellings could be a good bet for prospective buyers struggling with record home prices and rising rents.


Edina Realty opens first Florida office to capitalize on Minnesotans who head south for winter

The brokerage has 75 locations throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin,


Minnesota real estate mogul Ralph Burnet dies at 78

Burnet's companies, including Coldwell Banker Burnet, helped change the way people buy and sell houses across the nation.


Twin Cities sees surprise influx of home listings as agent commission uncertainty looms

There are more sellers, but there are also more buyers, so competition is stiff and houses are selling quickly.


What does the national settlement on home commissions mean for the Twin Cities?

The National Association of Realtors settlement changes how commissions work, shocking the industry.


Apartment developers swarm Twin Cities suburbs as low housing inventory, high mortgages persist

With more than one-third of all new units hitting the southwest suburbs, that area could be one of few soft spots for rentals in 2024.


Middle-income buyers struggle to find a house in their budget in most Twin Cities suburbs

A Star Tribune analysis shows how much income a buyer would need to afford the median priced home in each city.