The "Rightsize" Report: A Data-Driven Look at Bloomington & Eden Prairie Townhomes

The "Rightsize" Report: A Data-Driven Look at Bloomington & Eden Prairie Townhomes

If you know me, you know that real estate is practically in my DNA. I grew up in Bloomington, watching my mom navigate the market as a Realtor, and I followed in her footsteps back in 2009. Between my background in market research and my current life in Eden Prairie—navigating the whirlwind of raising 13-year-old twins—I tend to look at the world through two lenses: the data and the lifestyle.

Lately, many of my peers are asking the same question: "Is now the time to finally trade the four-bedroom house for a maintenance-free townhouse?" As a researcher, I don’t like "gut feelings." I like spreadsheets. I recently analyzed over 750 townhouse sales in Bloomington and Eden Prairie since January 2024.

What I found was a fascinating "tale of two cities," and one specific architectural feature that is driving a massive premium for downsizers.

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1. The Bloomington "Homecoming" Factor

Growing up in Bloomington, I’ve always appreciated its central heartbeat. The data shows that Bloomington is currently the "speedier" market.

• The Velocity: Homes in Bloomington are selling at a median of 22 days. It’s efficient and high-demand.

• The Stability: While other markets are fluctuating, Bloomington is the "Blue Chip" play. Mid-sized units actually rose about 3.5% in value over the last year. It’s a rock-solid choice for those looking for a predictable, high-quality suburban life.

2. The Eden Prairie "Stairs-Free" Premium

Living in EP now, I see the shift firsthand. But when I looked at the charts, I saw a massive spike in prices for mid-sized townhomes in the spring of 2025. As a researcher, I had to know why.

It turns out, it wasn't just a random fluke. It was the One-Level Living factor.

On streets like Old Wagon Trail and Northrup Trail, ranch-style townhomes (where everything is on one floor) are commanding a staggering 20% price premium over traditional multi-level units.

• One-Level Ranch: Median $225 / sq. ft.

• Multi-Level: Median $187 / sq. ft.

For those of us in the 50+ crowd, this makes perfect sense. We want to trade the snow shovel for a simpler life, but we also want to trade the stairs for a layout that lets us age in place gracefully. In Eden Prairie, the market is recognizing that convenience—and pricing it accordingly.

3. Apples-to-Apples: How They Compare

When I look at the "PPSF" (Price Per Square Foot)—the gold standard for market researchers—the gap is clear:

• Eden Prairie remains the premium choice, especially for those highly coveted one-level units, averaging about $198/sq. ft. overall.

• Bloomington offers a fantastic value play at $184/sq. ft., with significantly more speed in the market.

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My Professional (and Personal) Advice

I’m currently in the thick of the "twin-teenager" years, so I know that life is loud and busy. But I also know that many of you are looking toward a quieter, "lock-and-go" future.

The "Researcher" in me says: The data shows that the frenetic, "offer-over-asking-in-an-hour" market is gone. However, the demand for one-level living is the strongest trend in the metro. If you own a one-level home, you are sitting on a gold mine. If you are looking to buy one, you need a strategy to win in a high-demand niche.

The "Realtor" in me says: We are in a normalization. You finally have the leverage to negotiate on multi-level units in EP, but you’ll still need to be sharp and decisive for those rare Bloomington rambler-townhomes.

The "Daughter of a Realtor" in me says: A house is more than a line item on a balance sheet—it’s where your next chapter happens. Whether you want the stability of Bloomington or the "stairs-free" luxury of Eden Prairie, the market is finally giving you the data you need to move with confidence.

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Would you like me to send you the specific "Stairs-Free" premium chart for your neighborhood so you can see exactly what your home is worth in today’s market?