Lakes Area Realty St. Paul Services

Real Estate Brokerage · Saint Paul, Minnesota

9:48 AM in Saint Paul Directions

Here is what working with Lakes Area Realty St. Paul in Saint Paul typically covers, from the first consultation to closing day. Services and terms vary, so confirm the details in your written agreement.

For home buyers

First buyer meeting

A conversation about price range, neighborhoods around Saint Paul and the buyer agreement you sign before tours.

Showings in Saint Paul

Scheduling private tours, previewing listings and flagging issues worth a closer look.

Writing and negotiating offers

Pricing an offer from recent nearby sales and negotiating repairs, credits and timelines.

Getting to the closing table

Coordinating with the lender, title or escrow office and the other agent so nothing slips.

Selling a home

Home valuation

A written price opinion built from sold, pending and active Saint Paul area comparables.

Getting the home market-ready

Staging suggestions, small fixes and scheduling professional photos.

MLS listing and marketing

Listing on the local MLS and syndication to the major home-search sites.

From showing to sold

Feedback after showings, multiple-offer handling and closing coordination.

How a typical transaction works

ConsultA first conversation about goals, budget and timing — and a written agreement that spells out services and compensation.
PrepareBuyers get pre-approved; sellers review a pricing analysis and prepare the home for photos.
Market & tourListings go live on the MLS; buyers tour homes and compare recent sales.
NegotiateOffers, counteroffers, inspection requests and appraisal issues are worked through.
CloseFinal walk-through and signing with the title or escrow company under Minnesota rules.

Typical costs on a Saint Paul home

Illustrative figures for a home at the local typical value of $294,297. Real numbers depend on your agreement, lender and title company.

Item	Rate	On $294K
Listing-side commission (negotiable)	2.5–3%	$7,357–$8,829
Buyer-side compensation (negotiable)	2–3%	$5,886–$8,829
Buyer closing costs (lender, title, escrow)	2–5%	$5,886–$14,715
Home inspection	flat	$350–$600

Every percentage above is negotiable and is set in the written agreement. Typical value from the Zillow Home Value Index (August 2026).

Areas around Saint Paul

Maplewood, MN4.8 mi · $345K Roseville, MN5.3 mi · $377K Woodbury, MN6.7 mi · $462K Minneapolis, MN8.7 mi · $329K White Bear Lake, MN11 mi · $358K North Oaks, MN11 mi · $959K Bloomington, MN12 mi · $362K Edina, MN13 mi · $626K

Questions about these services

How are real estate agents paid in Minnesota?

Compensation is negotiable and set out in writing. Sellers sign a listing agreement; since August 2024 buyers sign a written buyer agreement before touring homes with an agent, stating what the agent will be paid and by whom.

Does Lakes Area Realty St. Paul work with both buyers and sellers?

Most agents and brokerages represent both, but not in the same transaction without written consent. Ask how Lakes Area Realty St. Paul handles dual agency or designated agency under Minnesota law.

What should I prepare before the first meeting?

Buyers: a mortgage pre-approval, a target budget and a list of must-haves. Sellers: your mortgage payoff estimate, a list of upgrades with dates, and any HOA or survey documents.