Beautiful homes deserve careful evaluation. Whether you’re investing in a historic Minneapolis home or selling your Downtown condominium, inspections provide the clarity needed to make informed decisions. 

Chad Larsen and Barry Berg don’t view inspections as a tool to identify flaws with a property. They believe inspections yield invaluable findings that help you understand a home beyond what meets the eye. 

Sellers - Don’t Skip It!

Contrary to popular belief, inspections aren’t just beneficial for buyers. 

Chad and Barry encourage clients to complete certain property specific inspections prior to listing to minimize unexpected surprises down the road. 

“If I’m helping a client list their home that was built in the last 30-40 years with a…

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Properly pricing a home involves much more than price per square foot. Buyers evaluate condition, updates, layout and how move-in ready a property feels. That's why the work you do before listing can have a significant impact on both price and marketability.

However, not every dollar spent before listing your home will increase its value. Some projects help buyers see your home's full potential. Others simply transfer your money into someone else's dream renovation. 

Before listing your home, it’s important to determine which projects will actually improve marketability – and which won’t. Knowing the difference can mean a faster sale, stronger offers, and less stress.

Chad Larsen and Barry Berg regularly help sellers determine which projects are…

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When Margy and Scott Ross welcomed their first grandchild in 2024, being closer to family full-time became a top priority. The two had enjoyed several decades in their beloved Eden Prairie home, but it was time to close that chapter and begin a new one in Portland, Oregon.

“It had been awhile since we worked with a Realtor,” says Margy. “So, I asked my bookclub friend about her moving process, and the name Barry Berg came up.”

Margy and Scott were already familiar with Barry’s name. As they explain, “his reputation preceded him.”

“We had already been speaking with several Realtors who primarily worked in the Eden Prairie area when we met with Barry,” says Margy.

But when Barry walked in, the couple was quick to take notice of his yellow legal…

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May is an energetic time in the Twin Cities real estate market, with a wide range of excellent properties available across the metro right now. From traditional tudors to modern masterpieces to chic condominiums, the market is blooming with opportunity. 

Year after year, Chad Larsen and Barry Berg help clients navigate these possibilities and find the homes that fit their needs. Through decades of experience, they’ve developed what they often refer to as “perennial wisdoms” – evergreen insights that hold true through each season.

We share these wisdoms through a variety of channels, including short blogs and video-podcast episodes, designed to be easy to revisit and share. Our goal is to provide perspective you can return to, and guidance that’s…

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When you think about buying or selling a home, a Realtor is one of the first things that come to mind. But as Chad Larsen and Barry Berg discuss in the latest episode of Setting the Standard, a successful move often relies on a much broader team.

More Than Just Your Agent

Think of your Realtor as your coach. They offer guidance, outline strategy, and bring big league expertise. But like baseball, they’re not the only player on the field.

Behind every real estate transaction is a network of professionals each playing a distinct role. From stagers and photographers to lenders and contractors, there’s a team on the field working together. 

Want the Full Perspective?

Real estate is a team sport, and the right players make all the difference.

…

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The spring market is in full motion. New listings are hitting the market, buyers are out touring homes, and properties are trading hands at a steady pace. Activity is building week by week! 

What you need to know is that this is the window where momentum really matters, and where preparation meets opportunity. 

Why Spring?

Whether they have children or not, people tend to build their schedules around the school year – busy summers, focused falls, steady winters, and invigorated springs. 

“Buyers often look for their new home in the spring so they can be settled in by the beginning of summer,” says Chad Larsen. “We see lots of properties coming onto the market in February, March, and April so that closings happen in May and June.”

Spring…

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Frequent travel. Empty nesting. Shifting priorities. Less upkeep and fewer responsibilities. People transition from single-family homes to condos, often discovering that it’s a whole new way of thinking about home ownership. This week’s podcast highlights the nuances and considerations that go into finding the condo community that’s right for your needs. 

A Neighborhood within a Neighborhood

Home buyers are encouraged to explore the neighborhoods that interest them – to see the proximity to work, schools and shopping. With condos, that concept extends even further. 

Not only is the building in a neighborhood, but the building is a neighborhood. From the number of units to the culture of the building, each property offers a distinct living…

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In the latest episode of Setting the Standard, Chad Larsen and Barry Berg continue their “Two P’s” series, Pricing and Presentation, with a closer look at what it means to present your home in the best light. 

Presentation Begins with Perspective

When a prospective buyer walks through your door, you don’t want them to see your life in the home – you want them to picture their own. 

Your role as a seller is to make this imaginative process easier for prospective buyers through editing and decluttering. This allows buyers to see the architectural details, natural light, and quality finishes instead of your décor and personal items. 

Diligent Speed

Chad often says, “diligent speed,” meaning sellers should take the time to do the right things…

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When it comes to selling your home, two factors carry the most weight: pricing and presentation. Today, we’re focusing on pricing because getting it right from the start can make all the difference.

Buyers Know the Market
Buyers arrive well informed. By the time they step into your home, they’ve already seen several others and spent time assessing value across the market. While factors like condition, location, school districts, and proximity to amenities all play a role, pricing is ultimately what determines whether a potential buyer takes the next step.

Understanding True Market Value
Realistically, a home’s value is determined by what the buyers are willing to pay for the property in today’s market. Commonly cited metrics like price per square foot…

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Each year, perennial flowers return in the spring and summer.

Their appearance isn’t random though. It’s part of their natural cycle that repeats year after year.

Our lives follow a similar rhythm. As we move through different life stages, our needs evolve. And as these needs change, the places we call home often evolve with them.

Life’s Seasons
The spaces we inhabit tend to reflect what we need in that particular moment.

In young adulthood, first apartments or starter homes mark the beginning of independence. During these early years, many people are on the move and don’t require a great deal of space.

As families grow, priorities shift. More square footage, neighborhoods filled with young families, or proximity to certain schools may…

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