Relocating to Excelsior, MN

Excelsior gives relocating families something rare in a metro area: a walkable small-town downtown right on Lake Minnetonka. Taylor Doolittle of Team Steady at RE/MAX Results lives in neighboring Deephaven and helps out-of-state buyers find and win homes in Excelsior.

Newcomers are usually drawn to Water Street, the Commons and the lake, and they quickly learn that homes here are few and move fast. Downtown Minneapolis is about 25 to 30 minutes away outside rush hour, and Excelsior is served by Minnetonka Public Schools. Homes range from older cottages and bungalows near downtown to lake properties, with the occasional condo or townhome. Relocating buyers need to be pre-approved and ready to decide quickly, even from far away.

Taylor gets buyers ready before the search: lender pre-approval, a clear budget and a short list of what matters. He narrows the options so a buyer can tour the right homes in one or two trips, and video tours and digital signatures let them act from out of state when the right home appears. On older homes, he walks buyers through what an inspection turns up.

He explains Minnesota specifics, like winter inspections and the spring market, and can connect clients with RE/MAX agents to sell the home they're leaving.

Taylor has closed more than 550 transactions since 2017, holds a couple hundred 5-star reviews, and was RE/MAX Rookie of the Year in 2018. For a move to Excelsior, he brings preparation and local knowledge.

Related: Who is the best Realtor for relocating to the west Twin Cities suburbs?