Steph Schmitz - Birch Hill Properties

Steph Schmitz - Birch Hill Properties Helping people build a life they love in Minnesota! Real estate agent serving the Twin Cities and Northwest Metro. www.Birchhillproperties.com
612-382-0316

Helping Sellers, Buyers, Investment, Land, Hobby Farm & New Construction. I am a Real Estate Professional that works with Sellers & Buyers in traditional real estate sales and New Construction sales. I have helped clients all around the metro and the state of Minnesota! From cabin properties, and hobby farms to bungalows in the cities. I have seen it all! My expertise extends to land sales, acreag

e properties & equine properties. I started my Real Estate career helping with interior design and staging, following various corporate roles specializing in Sales, leadership, contract negotiation & process management. I continue to have a love for interior design and helping my clients keep on trend. Outside of real estate I am a Mom, Wife, friend, and animal caretaker. I enjoy the quiet country living on my hobby farm with my family, horses, cows, cats, dogs & chickens. You can usually find me riding horses, being a sports mom, spending time on the lake or looking for more farm animals to bring home in my spare time. I love to golf, go hunting, garden and just about any outdoor activity. I would love to connect with you on your real estate needs!

06/18/2026

People ask me what I make as a Realtor.

The truth is, I make a lot more than commission checks.

I make connections.

I make introductions.

I make dreams feel possible.

I make nervous buyers feel confident.

I make stressful situations feel manageable.

I make plans come together.

I make matches between people and places they'll create memories in for years to come.

I get a front-row seat to some of the biggest moments in people's lives:
🏡 First homes
🔑 Dream homes
👶 Growing families
🌾 Hobby farms
❤️ Fresh starts
🎉 New chapters

And while I do earn a living helping people buy and sell real estate, the part I'm most grateful for is being trusted to help guide those moments.

That's something I'll never take for granted.

Serving buyers and sellers throughout Monticello & the Northwest Metro Minnesota. I'm Steph, a Local Twin Cities Realtor, Farm/Land expert. I am here to help!

Father's Day ideas in the Twin Cities for every type of dad in your life. 👉Have a dad that would rather stay home? Here'...
06/18/2026

Father's Day ideas in the Twin Cities for every type of dad in your life. 👉

Have a dad that would rather stay home? Here's 3 at-home ideas that still say I love you Dad, without leaving the recliner:

-Order takeout from his favorite local spot

-Build a “dad snack board” with local finds

-Surprise him with a six-pack from Lupulin Brewing (Big Lake) and turn the backyard into a laid-back tasting night.

I'm Steph, Follow for more local recs.

06/17/2026

Most buyers learn these 3 truths the hard way.

No one really tells you this part of buying a home…

1️⃣ The perfect house probably doesn’t exist.
Most buyers end up choosing the one that checks the most important boxes.

2️⃣ The market doesn’t care what you wish the price was.
Value is based on what buyers are willing to pay today.

3️⃣ Strategy matters more than timing.
I’ve seen buyers win in competitive markets and slower ones.

The difference is usually the approach. Buying a home isn’t about luck.
It’s about understanding the process and having a smart strategy.

Most buyers are surprised by #3.

I'm Steph, Local Twin Cities Realtor. I'm here if you need me!

06/17/2026

Some people buy an established hobby farm.

Others buy acreage and build their dream setup from scratch.

Neither is wrong.

But regardless of which path you choose, I see people make these same 5 mistakes over and over:

🐴 1. Buying too little land
Most people wish they had more space, not less.

🚜 2. Not thinking through the layout
Where will the barn go? Pastures? Driveway? Future buildings? Think long-term.

💧 3. Ignoring drainage and water
A beautiful property can become a muddy mess if the land doesn't drain well.

📋 4. Not researching zoning and restrictions
Always confirm what you can actually do with the property before you buy.

💰 5. Underestimating improvement costs
Fencing, barns, arenas, outbuildings, driveways, wells, and septic systems add up quickly.

Whether you're looking for a turnkey hobby farm or raw acreage to build your dream, the land matters just as much as the house.

Helping buyers find acreage, hobby farms, horse properties, and country homes throughout Central Minnesota, and beyond.

06/15/2026

MONTICELLO — A fast-growing drive-thru beverage chain known for drawing long lines elsewhere in Minnesota is brewing plans for a Monticello location.

I couldn't resist for my Swiftie fans...If Taylor wrote an album about your city, which one would it be? From porch swin...
06/15/2026

I couldn't resist for my Swiftie fans...

If Taylor wrote an album about your city, which one would it be?

From porch swings to rooftop cocktails, consider this your local Eras Tour. 🎤🏡

👋 I’m Steph - your local real estate agent in the Twin Cities.

Send this to your local swiftie!

The worst real estate advice in Minnesota sounds right until it costs you money.I hear the same myths every week. From c...
06/13/2026

The worst real estate advice in Minnesota sounds right until it costs you money.

I hear the same myths every week. From clients, from DMs, from people repeating something they read online without checking if it actually held up.

Some of these are harmless. Others have cost people tens of thousands or set their plans back by months.

I'd rather be the agent who gives you the honest answer now than the one who stays quiet and lets you learn it the hard way.

If something on this list surprised you, send me a message. I'd love to hear which one (and answer the questions you've been holding onto).

👋🏼 If we haven't met, I'm Stephanie, Twin Cities real estate advisor. Follow along or DM for any questions. I am always here!

06/12/2026

The house already has multiple offers.

Should you even bother writing one?

My answer is almost always yes.

One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is eliminating themselves before the seller does.

I've seen buyers walk away from homes because they assumed they couldn't compete. Then they watch someone else get the house for a price they could have afforded.

Here's what most people don't realize:

✔️ The highest offer doesn't always win
✔️ Sellers often care about timing and terms
✔️ Financing matters
✔️ Flexibility matters
✔️ Certainty matters

I've helped buyers win in multiple-offer situations without being the highest bidder.

If you love the house, let the seller decide. Don't make the decision for them.

If you're buying a home in the Minnesota Twin Cities strategy matters more than most people think.
I'm Steph, Local Twin Cities Realtor. I'm here if you need me!

The best happy hours int the Northwest Metro that locals would rather you didn't know about. 🤫I cannot believe I'm shari...
06/12/2026

The best happy hours int the Northwest Metro that locals would rather you didn't know about. 🤫

I cannot believe I'm sharing this so consider this your heads up to go now before everyone catches on.

Honorable mentions: 👇
Main Street Sports Bar & Grill: Cold drinks, laid-back vibes, and a go-to spot to unwind after work.
Eddy’s on the River: Patio + Mississippi River views that make happy hour feel like a mini getaway.
Monticello VFW: Classic small-town comfort, friendly faces, and an easy place to settle in for a drink.

If you want even more happy hour spots worth gatekeeping this summer, I've got you.

Comment SUMMER and I'll send you my free Minnesota Summer Guide with the best local spots, events, and weekend plans.

I'm Steph!, a local Twin Cities real estate agent sharing the best of life here. Follow for more local recs.

06/11/2026

One of the biggest misunderstandings in real estate?
Buyers usually do not automatically get the keys the second closing is done.

In Minnesota real estate, possession is negotiated in the purchase agreement. That means the buyer could take possession:
🔑 at closing
🔑 later that day
🔑 the next day
🔑 or sometimes even after a short seller post-close occupancy

Every transaction is different — especially in competitive markets or when sellers are trying to coordinate another move.

This is why details matter in a contract.
The timelines, possession date, closing terms, contingencies… all of it matters more than people realize.

If you’re buying or selling in the northwest Twin Cities suburbs, make sure you understand your timelines before signing anything.

Real estate is more than finding the house.
The strategy behind the contract matters too.

Address

731 East Broadway Street
Monticello, MN
55362

Telephone

+16123820316

Website

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