QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Frequently asked questions about buying and selling a home in the Twin Cities.
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Courtney Douglass is a Twin Cities Realtor with McFadyen + Co at Compass, serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs. She works with first-time buyers, move-up buyers, sellers, investors and people relocating to Minnesota. A former professional basketball player, Courtney has helped more than 115 families buy and sell homes, with over $50M in career sales. She was voted a Twin Cities Business Super Agent in 2025 and 2026, ranks in the top 1.5% of Realtors nationwide by number of sales and volume, and is among the top 100 agents in Minnesota. She's committed to an inclusive, affirming experience for every client, including LGBTQ+ clients, BIPOC clients and women buying on their own.
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The best way to find out is a free home valuation from a local agent who knows your neighborhood. Courtney looks at what's selling near you right now, how fast homes are moving, and where we are in Minnesota's seasonal market. Then she hand-picks the comps that truly match your home, not just the same bed and bath count. You'll see exactly how she got to her number and why, and the final call is always yours.
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It starts with a walkthrough of your home and a game plan for what's worth doing before listing and what isn't. From there, Courtney coordinates staging, photos, video and floor plans. Your home goes live as coming soon early in the week, then hits the market by Thursday or Friday to catch weekend buyers. Once you're live, you'll get regular updates with showing feedback and market data, so you always know where things stand.
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Yes, and it's one of the most common questions Courtney gets! The key is lining up the timing so you're not stuck paying for two homes or scrambling for a place to live. One option is a rent-back, where you sell your home and stay in it for a set time after closing while you find your next one. Another is a home-sale contingency, where your offer on the next home depends on your current home selling first. You can also ask your lender about bridge financing, which lets you use your current home's equity to buy before you sell. Courtney has helped many Twin Cities families make this move, including negotiating rent-backs, and she'll help you pick the option that fits your timeline and your comfort with risk.
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Start with a free conversation about your goals, budget and timeline. From there, Courtney walks you through every step: getting pre-approved, figuring out what you can comfortably afford, touring homes, writing a strong offer, inspections and closing day. Her education-first approach means you'll always know what's happening and why, because knowledge removes fear.
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It depends, and it's something you'll talk through before you start touring homes. Buyers now sign an agreement with their agent upfront that spells out how the agent gets paid. That amount is negotiable, and in many cases the seller still covers it as part of your offer. Courtney walks every buyer through their options at the start, so there are no surprises.
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Yes! Courtney is an LGBTQ+ affirming Realtor serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and the Twin Cities. She listens without judgment, respects the names and pronouns you share, and advocates for you with lenders, inspectors and other agents. Everybody deserves a home, and everybody deserves to feel safe and seen while finding one. She also offers a free Inclusive Guide for Homebuyers in the Twin Cities.
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Yes! Courtney has helped many families relocate to the Twin Cities, some before ever visiting in person. She'll give you the local insight you won't find online: what each neighborhood feels like, commute times, and what to expect in the market. With video tours and someone on the ground handling the details, you can buy your Minnesota home confidently from wherever you are.
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Courtney serves the whole Minneapolis-St. Paul metro, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Hopkins, New Brighton, Arden Hills, Shoreview, Eagan, Savage, Prior Lake, Shakopee, Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Victoria, and Chaska. She also knows Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods like Tangletown, Nokomis, Linden Hills, Kingfield, Mac-Groveland, Highland and North Loop.