Mark Foster
@robmarkfoster
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Avid marathoner & political guy. Native Iowan. Advocating for the next generation of homebuyers @HousingFirstMN
Twin Cities
Joined July 2013
Wild that people will read this and think, “we should eliminate property taxes for old folks”
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Great graphic from the WSJ on the housing crisis: Home prices to buyer income ratio went sky high in 2021 and is barely budging This is the whole ball game
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The average first-time homebuyer age in 2025 was 40 years old. That must have a huge negative impact on young Americans’ view of the economy. My @Morning_Joe Chart
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Pay attention policymakers. Homeownership opportunities will quickly become the issue of our time
The median age of first-time homebuyers in the US is a record 40 years old Four. Zero.
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“Especially for younger people, they’re giving up on some of those dreams of owning a home and starting a family due to the cost itself,” said Sarah Darr. “Not because it’s not a priority but because they don’t feel like they can afford it any longer.”
startribune.com
House prices in the state are rising faster than incomes, making homeownership, long a marker of middle class status, out of reach for many.
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We’re especially grateful for their leadership and commitment during the 2025 legislative session with the Yes to Homes coalition, where they worked tirelessly to advance practical, bipartisan housing solutions. #mnleg
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🏡 Congratulations to @jordanrasmusson & @SpencerIgoMN — Housing First Minnesota’s 2025 Legislators of the Year! 🎉 Both have been strong voices for homebuyers, championing policies that make housing more affordable and keeping the dream of homeownership within reach #mnleg
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"Restrictive local zoning that prevents builders from meeting housing demand is the fundamental cause of America’s housing shortage." #mnleg
mercatus.org
Although state legislatures took unprecedented strides toward releasing the housing supply from its regulatory straitjacket in 2025, most pro-housing policies have not yet been adopted in most...
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Pickle juice and Diet Coke proved to work the best among all the drink and food offerings along the course. Probably the hottest marathon I’ve ever ran, but mission accomplished thanks to my best cheerleaders!
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Upending long-standing policy would certainly raise costs and inject uncertainty into residential development that will only worsen Minnesota's housing affordability crisis.
minnpost.com
Gas utilities are pitching a wide range of ideas to state regulators, but climate and consumer advocates say a shift to electricity is needed.
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Today’s edition of NIMBYs say the darndest things
Cornhole concerns at the zoning committee: "The cornhole game leads to a continuous thunking noise as the beanbag hits the target. When one goes in the hole there's a loud cry of success."
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.@nserickson sits on a State Level panel discussion to close out an extremely informative #YIMBYTown
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The country's largest Parade of Homes begins today! Go tour the best in new construction homes with more than 300 homes throughout the #MSP metro and beyond.
paradeofhomes.org
For 75 years, the Twin Cities Parade of Homes℠ and Remodelers Showcase have been opening the doors to hundreds of new homes and remodeled projects across Minnesota. Tour for free twice a year to find...
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Minnesota is cited by some as one of the best places to raise a family. But when daycare costs are 50%-100% more than Midwestern peers and total costs from ages 0-5 border on $100k it puts a real stress on working parents
wsj.com
For working parents, the first five years of a child’s life are often the most financially draining. Explore this interactive map to see how costs vary across the U.S.
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#MnCities have spent years telling the #mnleg that they are effectively handling the housing shortage. Yet, when a single additional unit that meets all ordinance requirements is proposed this is what happens. Weak.
startribune.com
The Blaine, MN City Council has rejected a new attempt by homeowner Alex Pepin to build an accessory dwelling unit. He is suing after the city denied his permit for a tiny home for a homeless family.
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Cities of Duluth, Rochester, Mankato all need thousands of new homes to meet the demand. https://t.co/6aihgpYoBo
https://t.co/gnDdIvXblE
https://t.co/fWVC24trBl
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"But I’d argue that these decisions, collectively over many decades, drive up housing costs while proliferating segregated neighborhoods and concentrated poverty in our region."
startribune.com
Property rights are at the heart of a Minnesota lawsuit over Blaine’s rejection of a proposed accessory dwelling unit for homeless families.
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Big picture: 2025 is on track to be one of the worst years for home sales in the past 30 years. (it may even turn out to be THE worst). June data came in even weaker than expected today. 3.93 million sales (annualized data) That's down from over 5 million pre-pandemic
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