Sometimes coming home really is as easy as it seems - as long as you have the right help.

Katherine and Joe Chaves learned that truth while moving halfway across the country with the help of the Berg Larsen Group. Joe, a Minnesota native, and his wife Katherine met while studying at the University of Michigan six years ago. After graduating, the couple moved to the east coast, living and working in New York until 2021 when they became pragmatic about their lifestyle goals as they welcomed their first child. They decided to return to Joe’s roots, and start their family in Minnesota.

Outlining Criteria

To prepare for the move, Katherine and Joe started looking at homes online, pinpointing neighborhoods in Southwest Minneapolis and first-ring western suburbs. The couple bypassed their starter-home phase while living in the big city, so they instead searched for an older house in the $1-$1.2m price range. They were particularly looking for something with four bedrooms so that they wouldn’t outgrow it in a few years. 

Referrals are Gold

Katherine and Joe were referred to Chad from Berg Larsen Group through a former classmate who described Chad as, “A tough negotiator, super smart, and someone who will go to bat for you.” Despite the referral, the couple still had several conversations with other groups to ensure they found a good fit before selecting the Berg Larsen Group. Katherine states, “It was not a tough decision to go with the Berg Larsen Group. Chad is sophisticated, knowledgeable, and understands the market.” She adds,  “Chad really understood what we were looking for.”

A Whirlwind Week

The Chaves landed on a 1938 home in Hopkins.Since the market was competitive, there was no time to waste. They ended up buying their home, thanks to technology, without even seeing it in person. On Thursday, they identified their future house on Zillow knowing that visiting in person wasn’t an option. They reached out to Chad, who was on vacation at the time, and were connected to Kate who stepped in to do a video walkthrough of both the house and the neighborhood. Joe explains, “It was seamless working between Chad and Kate. It didn’t feel like we got the handoff to someone else. The team aspect of the Berg Larsen Group really showed.”

Interestingly, Katherine’s mom owns a real estate brokerage firm back East, so she participated in the Facetime tour, chiming in with in-depth questions that Kate was able to meet with answers and counsel. Joe recalls, “It didn’t feel like we were being sold a house.”

After finding and virtually touring the house on Thursday, their competitive and strategic offer was submitted on Friday. The sellers had multiple offers, and agreed to make a decision by Sunday.  Joe and Katherine ultimately got the house.

Five days later, the Chaves couple flew to Minneapolis for a home inspection and worked through the final details with Kate the following Friday. The Berg Larsen Group made it a priority to connect the couple with a mortgage broker and other key advisors. Katherine emphasizes that the Berg Larsen Group is, “So well connected throughout the Twin Cities with all of the vendors and services that you need when you’re moving, particularly if you’re not from here.”

Peace of Mind

Katherine and Joe look back on their move with a deep appreciation for their real estate team. Being in their early 30s, they assumed that the process was straightforward - see a house you like, make an offer, buy the house, and move in. Luckily, they learned to navigate the complexities of buying a home through Chad and Kate’s wisdom.

Joe explains, “When push comes to shove, you need someone who knows the landscape, that gives you guidance and advice that ultimately gives you peace of mind.”

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