Reporter | Residential real estate

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.


Home building in the Twin Cities plummeted during March

Higher mortgage payments could be one reason why there are fewer building permits this month.


New 27-story apartment tower coming to Minneapolis skyline

About half the apartments will be income-restricted.


First-time homebuyer? Tips to help you land the perfect place

Finding a trusted real estate agent, meeting with a loan officer and knowing what you want are just a few ways to ease stress when looking for a home.


A cool February for home sales, prices in the Twin Cities

February sale prices were up $2,000 from a year ago, a record median price for the month at $342,000 but the smallest annual gain in years.


Looking for an affordable starter home in the Twin Cities area? Good luck

Years of record price gains have fueled the demise of the $300,000 starter house, making houses in every price range more expensive.


These were the hottest neighborhoods for homebuyers in Mpls. and St. Paul in 2022

Homes in Minneapolis and St. Paul's hottest neighborhoods last year sold quickly, fetched top dollar and have been especially popular because they have a sense of community coveted by many urban buyers.


Home sales decline in the Twin Cities, but prices post modest gains

While sales cooled in January, data point to the spring market being competitive.


Why Twin Cities home prices are still 'hot' amid cooling sales

In 2022, the number of home sales in the Twin Cities fell by double digits. Mortgage rates doubled in the final six months of the year. And yet housing prices around the metro area grew by double digits over the previous five-year average.


As homebuyers flock to suburbs, Lake Elmo becomes hottest market in Twin Cities area

The hottest city in the Twin Cities metro area for home buyers last year was also one of the most inconspicuous.


See where your city ranks in the Twin Cities area's hottest housing markets

Home buyers seeking more space made several outer-ring suburbs the hottest markets in 2022.