The ultimate goal of investing in rental property is turn a profit and if at all possible provide a pleasant experience for yourself and prospective tenants. To make sure that you achieve these goals it is essential that you follow several critical guidelines.   1.  First, always make sure that you check references. This can be a burdensome step that many landlords overlook if they feel as though they have a good instinct about the tenant when they meet with them. Not checking references; however, can lead to a number of problems. You can uncover a wealth of information about potential problems before you rent to a prospective tenant.  In a large majority of condo and loft developments in Minneapolis this will be required by your association.  Depending on the association they may require you use a specific 3rd party background check company such as RHR. 2.  Always make sure that you have everything in writing. This is to protect not only your rights but also the rights of your tenants as well. Everything from the code of conduct you expect tenants to abide by while renting your property to the rental application itself should be in writing.  Condo documents from the condo or loft complex you invest in will need to be provided to the renter prior to move in.  This will include your rules and regulations in the building. 3.  You will find that you have better success with your rental property if you take the time to ensure that your condo or loft it is both secure and clean. Not only will the property be more visually appealing but these actions will also assist you with property liability.  If you live in a smaller complex with less of a formal entry or in a ground floor unit you may also want to take additional security measures. Extra security may be able to lower your insurance premiums as well as provide an incentive to quality tenants to rent your property when they know it is secure.  This will of course likely be appealing attributes for a prospective tenant. 4.  If you make the decision to hire a property manager, take the time to interview prospective candidates very carefully. Property managers can be quite helpful if you do not have the time to tend to all of the details yourself. The wrong property manager; however, can cause you tremendous problems. This means that you will need to hire a thoroughly responsible and professional individual to handle the job.  Property management typically ranges from $75-$150 per month and can save you time and headaches. 5.  Always make sure that you follow all applicable regulations in the renting of your investment property. The Fair Housing Administration Act provides precise regulations in order to prevent discrimination. If you violate those regulations you could find yourself facing a lawsuit that is costly in terms of time as well as money. The best course of action is to take the time to do your homework and consult an attorney experienced in real estate matters for guidance regarding the FHA as well as ensuring that you have the proper forms.   Following these guidelines will help you to retain quality tenants and avoid any potential legal problems.

For more tips please visit www.MikeSeebinger.com

-Mike S. 

One of the great things about downtown Minneapolis condo living is the convenience and access to things like great food, shopping and recreational activities.  Many of the condos and lofts downtown have retail on the ground floor but actually having a convenience store or market in the building is a real asset to downtown living.  The following 5 condo locations have some of the better markets downtown in them.  Ranging from pharmacies to full on grocery stores all of your options will be covered. 

Metro Market on 5^th

Condo Location: 5^th Avenue Lofts, 401 N 2^nd St

Neighborhood: North Loop

Store Hours: 7am-11pm

Produce: Yes, Some

Pharmacy: No, but over the counter drugs available

Coffee: Yes

Mill City Market

Condo Location: Bridgewater, 215 10^th Ave S

Neighborhood: Mill district

Store Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 8am-9pm

Produce: Yes, Some

Pharmacy: No, but over the counter drugs are available

Coffee: Yes

‘The Skyway’

Condo Location: Centre Village, The Crossings, Ivy, Six Quebec

Neighborhood: Central Business District

Store Hours: Varied

Produce: Yes, Depending on Location

Pharmacy: Yes

Coffee: Yes. Starbucks, Caribou, you name it.

Lunds

Condo Location: Cobalt, 45 University Ave SE

Neighborhood: St. Anthony Main

Store Hours: 24 Hrs

Produce: Yes, and then some!

Pharmacy: Yes, Prairiestone Pharmacy

Coffee: Caribou Coffee on site

   

CVS Pharmacy

Condo Location: Eat Street Flats and Market, 15 E Franklin

Neighborhood: Whittier/Eat Street

Store Hours: 24 Hrs

Produce: Not really

Pharmacy: Very much so

Coffee: Only coffee grounds here.  No hot coffee.

 

For more downtown condo information: http://www.MikeSeebinger.com

 

-Mike S. 

Warehouse Lofts 

A majority of the warehouse lofts in Minneapolis are located in and around downtown areas that were once industrial districts such as the North Loop and Mill District. Former manufacturing plants retain their industrial flare, with freight elevators, concrete floors, exposed brick walls, timber beams and high ceilings. Loft owners will enjoy the historical touches of these ”New York inspired” dwellings which often have open floor plans and few walls to separate living spaces.  In Minneapolis some example of  warehouse lofts in the North Loop would be the Security Lofts, Itasca Building, Bookman Lofts, 918 Lofts, and SOHO Lofts on Washington Ave N. 

Hard Lofts/True Flats 
‘Hard Lofts’, sometimes referred to as ‘True Lofts’ are truly just more of an extreme version of a Warehouse Loft.  The only  reason why I have listed them separately is to highlight the occasional difference in layout.  The primary characteristic of a ‘true loft’ is the truly open floor plan.  Were some warehouse residences can layout a little more conventionally many of these spaces will be purchased in the configuration of one huge open room.  It is up to the residence owner to creatively construct walls.  The Security Lofts and SOHO Lofts in the North Loop will be wonderful examples of this in most situations.

New Construction Residential Lofts 
If you like the loft feel but would prefer new construction there have been several condo developments downtown Minneapolis built to emulate the warehouse feel with elements like exposed duct-work and concrete floors. While not the authentic warehouse, new construction residential lofts are spaces designed in the warehouse-loft style but with post tension concrete, glass and steal. Like warehouse lofts, they often contain floor-to-ceiling windows, often times with non conforming walls and open floor plans but lack the industrial details of a historic structure.  Examples of new construction residential lofts in Minneapolis are the 710 Lofts, 720, Lofts, 730 Lofts, Bookman Stacks and Village Lofts.

Soft Lofts
The demand for loft style spaces but with more of a traditional layout has resulted in what is called a soft loft, or hybrid of what is known as more of a traditional feeling space with loft-style floor plans. These “softer” lofts may include room-like divisions more familiar to someone coming from a single family home but have the high ceilings and often times exposed concrete pillars.  Condo developments such as the 5th Ave Lofts, Bridgewater and Lindsay Lofts are great examples of the the soft loft.

 
Live-Work Lofts
Live-Work Lofts are not as common downtown Minneapolis but a popular concept. Designed to house a home owner and his or her business, this style loft allows an  artist, manufacturer or other business owner to save money by living and working at the same address.  There will be some limitations to what you can use the space for in respects to retail i.e. restaurants ect. The majority of options in Minneapolis for Live-Work Lofts include the Madison Lofts, 801 Washington, CW Lofts and Tower Lofts. 

Not everyone agrees on what exactly a loft is.  The wide spectrum of loft styles in Minneapolis gives prospective buyers plenty of options tailored to personal taste. 

www.MikeSeebinger.com 

 

-Mike S. 

1. Get Your Legal Business in Order

Prior to marketing your Minneapolis condo or loft for lease I would suggest to get your legal business in order.  Confirm with your association and/or your condo documents that you are indeed able to lease out your condo or loft.  Although you are on title and own your home you do have to run anything by the association that could affect the safety and enjoyment of home ownership for others in your building.  Some buildings are stricter than others downtown regarding rental limits and you should be aware of your buildings rental cap if there is one.  If your rental limit has been reached in the building you will want to make sure and get on the waiting list.  Assuming that you have the green light to lease out your place your next step should be to register for a rental license with the city.  I have seen these come back within 10 Days and I have seen them take up to a month.  Go to the city of Minneapolis website to register and get it out of the way.  Just be aware that if you are moving out of state you will need to have a property manager on the rental license in the area.  You can either choose a family member or friend that cares to take on the burden or hire a management company.  Assuming you are moving out of state and the economics make sense you are most likely better off paying a professional to manage your property and put out the various 'fires' that may come about over the term of the lease. Another tip is to look into getting covered with the appropriate amount of liability and fire insurance.  Better safe the sorry.

2. Preparing Your Condo for Lease

Preparing the condo or loft for your marketing efforts is where many fall short.  If you can differentiate yourself from your competitors by preparing your condo as if you were going to sell it you will likely save yourself some marketing time.  Actually, I take that back. Don't go over the top and dump a bunch of money into home improvements but what I do suggest is you de-clutter your condo, clean, and/or paint your walls neutral colors if needed (especially if your taste does not conform to the general public).  If you have tenants already in a lease and you are looking for a new one you will want to finesse that relationship and ask them to pick up after themselves prior to showings.  This can be tough to coordinate if the tenant is generally messy but just remember that just like buyers, renters need to be able to imagine themselves in your home and if it is smelly and staged clumsily it could take a bit of extra market time.  Good pictures of your nice clean home will also benefit you in a big way.  Whether you do this yourself or have a professional do it make sure you have about 10 photos.  

3. How to Find a Qualified Tenant

There are a few ways to go about finding a qualified tenant downtown Minneapolis.  The first is the cheapest, least amount of hassle and sometimes the most difficult to find; advertise by word of mouth to family members, family friends or co-workers that you are looking for someone to lease your home.  You need a little luck on your side to get this one to fly in coordination with your desired tenant move-in date. Often times family members or friends can expect a little bit of a discount on rent but the convenience may make it worth your while.  The second would be to try and advertise your condo for lease on Craigslist.  Just keep in mind that you need to continue to update the listings on craigslist in order to stay on the top of the heap.  Craigslist is saturated with advertisers and you need to set yourself apart with your advertising.  If you are going to try and market your condo or loft yourself using various rental websites be prepared to filter through a potentially large number of tenants that are either not qualified or are not really interested in what you have to offer them.  If you are successful in your marketing strategies you will also have to make the time to meet potential candidates which can be time consuming.  In my experience, you can either land one on the first appointment or it could take a couple of months showing your condo several times a week.  This leads me to my bit of shameless self promotion; hire someone that specializes in your corner of the market to lease out and/or manage your condo or loft.  This will cost you a small fee but is completely worth it to not have to deal with showings, tenant issues, background checks, move-in rules and lease coordination and construction.  If you are possibly interested in leasing out your condo reach out to me for more information regarding market rental prices, fee structure and management packages.  We typically have more qualified tenants than condos and lofts to lease and are always looking for more inventory.  You can check out my current rental inventory HERE.

4. What to do When You Find a Tenant

Once you have found someone that is interested in leasing out your condo or loft the first thing you will need to do is run the criminal and credit background check.  Consult with your association contact to find out what 3rd party background check company they prefer to use.  This is very important because you will be required to run all tenant possibilities through the association or otherwise you will be looking at a large fine.  Typically associations are pretty particular whom they run the background check through so be sure to follow up on this item.  After you have procured your tenant, have negotiated the price and received a successful background check you will want to have a lease drafted that explicitly outlines the terms of the lease.  Many associations will have limits regarding lease term minimums and I have not seen a building that has allowed anything less than a 6 month lease and typically not much longer than a year. If you are unfamiliar or uncomforatble with how to go about this you should hire a professional to coordinate the terms of the lease between the tenant and yourself.  Otherwise there are various lease templates all over the internet to get you started.    

5. Things to do Prior to Your Tenant Moving In

One thing that you will definitely want to look into prior to the tenant moving into your condo or loft is whether or not there is a move-in/move-out fee charged by the association.  If your association does have one you will want to be clear with the new renter who is going to be responsible to cover this.  It is common to have the tenant cover the charge but if it is not paid you will be billed.  Regardless if there is or is not a move-in/move-out fee you will want to communicate to your association when the move will occur in order to confirm that the hours desired for move-in are permitted.  Many associations will also want to know in order to prepare the common areas for the move (pads in the elevators, ect).  The last thing I would say is extremely important prior to your tenant moving into your home is to do a pre and post walkthrough of the property. Taking pictures and notes are both recommended for both the owner and tenant.  This will be a much needed reference point if there is any argument over the condition of the property and disbursement of damage deposit.  

If you decide that you are interested in leasing out your Minneapolis condo or loft but do not care to be involved in the process, the first step is to call or email myself.  My services include all of the above suggestions and steps and I would be more than happy to guide you down the right path. 

www.mikeseebinger.com

 

-Mike S. 

 

 

 

1. Choose the Right Furniture:  Outfitting your loft is going to typically take a different approach than your previous single family home.  Chunky tables and couches can absolutely work in a large enough space but don't fill the room with too much furniture.  One approach I have seen work would be to choose pieces with a small footprint that are visually lightweight and more minimalist.  Downtown Minneapolis, in the North Loop, one of my favorite places to look for furniture and design elements along this line would be ID/Ligne Roset.  They more recently moved into a new space in the North Loop at 212 3rd Avenue North, Suite 106 and is a great place to find  furniture, lighting, art, and accessories for your Loft.  They also offer the service of their interior designers if you feel you are a little artistically challenged or are looking for some fresh ideas.

http://www.id-insidedesign.com/

2. Paint Colors, Lighting and Reflective Accessories:  One of the oldest tricks in the book is to use accessories that emit and reflect light, i.e. mirrors.  This in combination with choosing the right paint colors can really brighten up your condo or loft and give the illusion of a larger space.  This may seem like a no brainier and a bit obvious but I just wanted to remind those of your that love dark rich colors and live in smaller spaces that if your motivation is to either sell or make your home feel larger, perhaps buy accents with these colors instead and stick with lighter paint colors.   Ample lighting is also key.  Dark bedrooms without windows are areas that could really benefit from floor lamps, track or pendant lighting to open up the space.  One of the deal breakers I run into with condo or loft buyers is the lack of a window in the bedroom (not a code issue in mpls).  With the right lighting, paint and accessories buyers will often look past this item on their check list.  I would also suggest to play around with the color and brightness of the light bulbs you are purchasing.  Lappin Lighting in the North Loop is a good starting point if you are looking for unique lighting fixtures. 

http://www.lappinlighting.com/

3. Source Extra Storage Space:  One thing I frequently witness when showing buyers and renters around Minneapolis is the loft owners need for extra storage space.  Condo and Loft owners will typically have the use of one storage locker with the purchase of their unit and sizes will vary.  The lack of having a basement to store those winter clothes in July can be a real dilemma.  Well, if you have an extra $100 or so a month in your budget to spend I would suggest checking out Minneapolis Self Storage located on Washington Ave in the North Loop.  For as little as $64 a month you can invest in some extra space for those less used items or hide your hording tendencies.  

http://storageminneapolis.com/ 

4. Lofting a Bedroom or Office Space:  If you live in a loft with high ceilings take advantage of the sheer volume of your home.  Lofting a bedroom or office can be a great way to open up some space assuming it is done the right way and your ceilings are truly tall enough to fit the second level.  I have seen some excellent examples of this in the Security Lofts in the North Loop and I have also seen some examples that seemed a little forced and actually made the home seem smaller.  Unless you have some experience with this you will probably want consult a professional.  Spaces that lend well to this split level design will often be open areas or 'true lofts' with less of a defined space to build around.  Done well, lofting an extra room can really ad some dimension and a sense of separation to your home.  I do work with a number of contractors that do this sort of thing and would be happy to refer those to a few reliable contacts if of interest.  You can email me at mike@drgmpls.com  

5. Converting Large Closets into Office Space or Bonus Room:  There are a few condo developments around Minneapolis notorious for having extremely large closets.  Typically located toward the entrance to the unit and initially intended on being used for a laundry room or coat closet, these spaces can be great places to convert extra nooks into office areas.  Unless it meets the cities dimension requirements and outfitted with a closet space it will not be qualified as a legal bedroom but it is a great way to either come up with the new babies room, media space or office.  Outfitted with the right furniture, possibly a murphy bed or corner desk this can eliminate some clutter in your primary living space.  For outfitting efficient spaces with murphy beds and or  desks I have used Techline and have been pleased with the results.  

http://www.techlinetwincities.com/

 

For more downtown Condo and Loft information go to www.MikeSeebinger.com

 

-Mike S. 

 

 

Living downtown in a condo or loft with a dog sounds like it could be a bit of a challenge but there are many resources and parks that make it an perfectly sane idea.  I would say most of the condo/loft developments downtown are now pet friendly.  Back in the day a pretty large percentage of the condo buildings downtown put pet ownership restrictions on the homeowners but with superior wall construction, noise mitigation is arguably better than in the past. Growing demand for dog friendly residence downtown is evident in buildings like Skyscape, having put in small dog parks as part of the common areas.  If you are already living downtown or are a dog owner and considering the move, here is my top 5 list of resources to make your experience more enjoyable.

1.  Downtown Dogs: Located only a couple blocks away from the International Market Square Lofts downtown Minneapolis, Downtown Dogs is a combination of indoor dog park, overnight boarding and doggy day care.  Whether you work long hours or just don’t like freezing your butt off at the dog park mid winter, Downtown Dogs is an excellent option.  Are you the owner of an adolescent pooch and work downtown?  Drop your dog off for a few hours or even the duration of your workday and come home to a well-exercised and happy pet.  Rates start at only $5 an hour!  I have even dropped my dog off while going to the gym for a few hours.  
 
2. Downtown Dog Park:  In October of 2008 the residents of the North Loop finally got their own dog park.  Located between the Herschel Lofts, 801 Washington and 730 Lofts, the park was a much-welcomed addition to the neighborhood.  There is plenty of green space along the riverfront but the North Loop being more of an industrial area was in need of an area for dog owners.  The park is roughly 6000 sq ft and located at 3rd St N and 8th Ave N.
 
3.  Dog Wash:  On the ground floor of the Phoenix on the River Condominiums in St. Anthony Main, “Ollu self-serve dog wash is an urban oasis in which to maintain a clean and healthy dog.” The facility is set up for both a self-service dog washing and full-service if you prefer to have someone else do the dirty work.  Small dogs start at $15 for a self-serve wash.
 
4.  Vet in your Condo Building:  The trip to the vet couldn’t be any easier than at the Bridgewater condominiums and Eat Street Flats.  Both condo developments have full veterinary services on the ground floor/commercial level of the development.  Eat Street Flats made this addition as of recent and the vet will be open within the next couple of months.
 
5.  Downtown Dog Walkers/Sitters:  If the dog park or kennel isn’t your thing there are several downtown dog walkers and pet sitters that would be excellent alternatives to doggy daycare. At ‘City Pets Minneapolis’ there is a nice menu of options to choose from including dog walks, daily pet sitting rates and even overnight pet sitting.  Overnight pet sitting can either be at your own condo (10 hr stay for $75) or ‘their’ home (12 hr stay for $70). Daily visits to your home start as low as $18.

-Mike S.

www.MikeSeebinger.com

Top 5 Most Expensive Condo Sales in Downtown Minneapolis
 
Would you like to own one of the most exclusive condos downtown Minneapolis?  If you have about 800k or so then you can! Condo and Loft prices in downtown Minneapolis have obviously come down and adjusted along with the market, but top end of the market has still been moving at high price per sq ft compared to the rest of the market.  Here are the top 5 most expensive condos and lofts downtown Minneapolis that have sold within the last year. The four condo buildings boasting the 5 top sales are Phoenix on the River, Humboldt Lofts, The Carlyle, Northstar Lofts.  
 
Price range: $795k to $1.5 million Average price per square foot: $457 Number of bedrooms: three 2-bedrooms and two 3-bedrooms Average size: 2,337 square feet Location: St. Anthony Main, Mill District
Average Days on Market: 23
 
#1 – Phoenix on the River: $1,530,730
222 2nd St | St. Anthony Main – 3,150 square feet, 3 bedroom, 3 baths
 

#2 – Humboldt Lofts: $1,040,000
750 2nd St  | Mill District – 2,675 square feet, 2 bedroom, 3 baths
 


 
#3 – The Carlyle Condominiums: $1,075,000
100 3rd Ave S | Mill District – 2,282 square feet, 3 bedroom, 3 baths
 


#4 –Northstar Lofts: $887,500
117 Portland Ave | Mill District – 1,816 square feet, 2 bedroom, 2 baths
 


 
#5 – Humboldt Lofts: $795,000
750 2nd St | Mill District – 1,760 square feet, 2 bedroom, 2 baths

Go to www.MikeSeebinger.com to search more high-end condos in Downtown Minneapolis.

Downtown views are not important to everyone but to many it is the very reason why purchasing a condo downtown Minneapolis is appealing.  I want to highlight 5 different Minneapolis neighborhoods and condo developments that I would recommend under $200,000.  

  1.    Riverwest Condos

 

Neighborhood: Mill District/Downtown East

Current Inventory: 11 condos with views of downtown Minneapolis

The Breakdown: The current options available in Riverwest under 200k are all 1 bedroom condos ranging from 618 sq ft- 832 sq ft.  Riverwest is a great option for both downtown skyline and striking views of the Mississippi River.  All current available units under the 200k price point are on the downtown side of the building but there are 3 options on the river side not far away in price point around the low 200’s. The location along the riverfront is hard to beat and the inventory is on the lower end of the price scale for the neighborhood.    

 
2.    Herschel Lofts
Neighborhood: North Loop/Warehouse District

Current Inventory: 1 loft with views of downtown Minneapolis

The Breakdown: The Hershel Lofts is one of the few buildings in the North Loop that have views of the Minneapolis skyline under 200k.  The historic warehouse conversion is perfectly positioned for optimal views from every loft in the building. The current inventory consists of a 723 sq ft, ground floor, 1 bedroom corner unit with a large patio space, ideal for those pre-game grill outs. If you are looking for a loft style space near Target Field keep an eye on the building as more options come available.
 
3.    Falls/Pinnacle

Neighborhood: St. Anthony Main/NE Mpls

Current Inventory: 4 condos with downtown/neighborhood views

The Breakdown: The views from the St. Anthony Main side of the river are unique to the downtown condo market having both southern exposure and the Mississippi River in the foreground.  There is currently a mix of 1 and 2 bedroom condos available under 200k with a square footage ranging from 916-1205.  If your condo does not face directly downtown, have no worries, there is no lack of common space on the rooftop deck.    

4.    Skyscape Condos

Neighborhood: Elliot Park

Current Inventory: 2 condos for sale with southern exposure

The Breakdown:  Post auction, the Skyscape Condominiums do not have many options remaining in the building under $200,000.  The units available for purchase currently are both on the sunny south side of the building positioned away from high-rises downtown.  Both are one-bedroom units ranging from 710-780 sq ft and starting at $159,900.  The views at Skyscape are split between more of a bird’s eye view of various Minneapolis neighborhoods and the central business district.  If views, proximity to the central business district and up to date amenities are important to you this would be a great option to explore.  

5.    Eat Street Flats

Neighborhood: Whittier

Current Inventory: 2 remaining condos with downtown views

The Breakdown: Located on Eat Street along the border of downtown and Uptown Minneapolis the Eat Street Flats is a 4-story new construction condominium development with retail on the 1st floor. The remaining inventory boasting downtown views start at $164,900 for a 1 bedroom condo and range between 732-736 sq ft.  The 3rd and 4th floor have unobstructed downtown views that light up like a Christmas tree at night.  The building is FHA approved and the 2 available condos have never been lived in.  This would be a great option for new construction under 200k.

To view current available condo options visit me at www.MikeSeebinger.com 

 

-Mike S.

Five things you should know when buying a condo foreclosure---

Do Your Research

Bank owned condos are typically priced to sell and below market value. Instant equity is of course what we are looking for however, unless you know the Minneapolis condo market well you will have a hard time identifying the true value. Study the market first.  Take note of the recently sold condos, price ranges, and trends to estimate the market value of a condo development.    

Beat Your Competition to the Punch

One way to get a leg up on your competition is to attend bank auctions.  Sometimes these auctions are highly competitive but from time to time no there are no offers at all. Bank auctions start with a minimum bid at the balance owed to the lender, plus any associated fees.  This can land you the deal of a century but be careful of any liens attached to the property and active redemption periods.  

Don’t be Put Off By Fixer-Uppers

Banks will not typically negotiate for repairs.  Condo foreclosures are usually sold as-is and often times are not in the optimal condition, but don’t be scared.  You can see large returns making cosmetic updates. On the flip side always read the condo documents containing the current budget information and any recent association meeting minutes.  If there are a large number of distressed properties in a building this can be a big red flag.

Get a Home Inspection if You Can

Whether you are buying a foreclosure or not it is a good idea to get an inspection. Condo inspection reports do not take into consideration big-ticket items like the roof or foundation condition, as in a single-family home but inspections are inexpensive and nobody like surprises with negative dollar signs attached to them. If you are not satisfied with the inspection results you can cancel the contract and it is on to the next one.

Enlist the Help of a Local Realtor Specializing in The Condo and Loft Market

A good real estate agent specializing in the downtown Minneapolis condo market is worth its weight in gold.  Seasoned agents have insight and experience that can only be gained by going through the process. Keep in mind that buyers agents get compensated for their services through bank-paid commissions, so you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.  

Visit www.MikeSeebinger.com for more insight on the Minneapolis Condo market. 

-Mike Seebinger

Urban Realtor

Downtown Resource Group - Urban Real Estate

 

Another perk to living downtown-- gorgeous views! Below are my top 5 picks for best rooftop decks.

Stone Arch Lofts: You can’t use the rooftop deck all year long but during spring and summer time in Minnesota it becomes a huge perk. One of the best reasons to live in a building with a usable rooftop is the view. You don't get much better views of the riverfront and Stone Arch Bridge than the ones from the roof of the Stone Arch Lofts. 

 

Humboldt Lofts: The Humboldt Lofts is one of the more exclusive addresses downtown Minneapolis. Surrounded by mill ruins and river views, this rooftop is truly a space that embraces what it means to live in the Mill District. 

 
Tower Lofts: With over 2000 sq ft of usable rooftop space, the Tower Lofts has the largest outdoor condo communal area in the North Loop.  The deck is more or less broken up into a section for grilling and another for lounging.  You do get some river views but I would argue the city views are really what it’s all about.  

 

Phoenix on the River:  If you are looking for views of the Mississippi River with the backdrop of the Minneapolis Skyline this is your rooftop deck.  Facing basically south the Phoenix on the River’s rooftop is unique to this list being the only one on the St. Anthony Main side of the river.  This is one huge outdoor space with lots of potential.

The Carlyle: The best part about the rooftop deck at The Carlyle aside from the views is the pool and hot tub.  There are limited condo developments downtown Minneapolis with this amenity and I am sure it can be quite the scene.  Equipped with a grilling station and lounge chairs this is one swanky rooftop deck 

For more insight on the Minneapolis Condo Market check me out at www.mikeseebinger.com 

Mike Seebinger-- Urban Realtor Downtown Resource Group - Urban Real Estate

www.Minneapolis-LoftandCondo.com

www.MikeSeebinger.com