Thirty-seven years a Twin Cities Realtor! Twenty-three of those spent as managing broker for Edina Realty’s Eden Prairie and Edina offices. When Lyndon Moquist passed the torch to Brad Lasser in 2024, he thought he might just be out of the game.
“For about three minutes,” Lyndon clarified. “My dad worked as a luxury home builder until he was 80 years old. He’s 97 now, and still as healthy as ever. I figured I might as well follow in his footsteps and see if he really has discovered the secret to longevity. It will be easy enough if I only have to continue doing what I love: providing sound advice from a place of expertise, helping buyers find their dream homes, and helping sellers maximize every ounce of leverage they have in an ever-changing market.
“I was apprehensive at first. Would people still want me to represent them after I’d spent so many years working behind the scenes as a managing broker? To my relief, they did! Clients practically came out of the woodwork once word got out that I was back in the game. Business, as they say, took off like a rocket. And after two years of selling, the new build portion of my business that had been just 10 percent of sales is booming too.
“But if I can claim any success, then it’s thanks to several extraordinary women, starting with Julie, my encouraging wife of 36 years. There’s also Emma Rovick, who, as a housewife and mother of three hoping to save up to buy a piano for her daughter, purchased a small real estate firm in 1955. She grew it into the largest residential firm in the Midwest, with the largest market share in Minnesota for 26 years running – the same one I’m now blessed to be a part of. (Yes, her girl received a piano, too.) There’s Sharry Schmid, the current president and CEO of Edina Realty, who I had the pleasure of working alongside as managing broker at the Edina 6800 office back in 2011. And last but certainly not least are Krissie Craig and Heather Gustafson: two Realtors with immense talents and rave reviews from clients, who I’ve partnered with on both new build and existing homes to help create the synergy of ideas, strategies, staging, negotiations, and results that mutually benefits all our clients.
“Let this be on the record. Ladies? Thank you!
“Wait. I forgot to mention someone else who’s incredibly important: Carole Griffith, the executive vice president of McDonald Construction who I’d previously recruited to Edina Realty. Carole turned the tables and hired me to represent McDonald Construction’s sales team, listing and selling homes alongside Krissie in the southwest region. She was mentored by Bob McDonald – a legend among Minnesotan homebuilders – and has been instrumental in keeping his legacy alive, taking the business to new heights for innovation, quality, and value. We’re talking about the kinds of beautiful homes that win Housing First Minnesota’s coveted Reggie Awards in 2024 and 2026 (and might have taken the trophy in 2025 if not for the rule against back-to-back wins).
“McDonald Construction is solving a serious problem with residential real estate in Eden Prairie. With more buyers than sellers, there’s not enough of it! And vacant land for building is only becoming increasingly rare here. Now residents are looking as far away as Victoria for new construction. Worse yet, the shortage of housing coupled with sellers not wanting to give up their 3 percent mortgages is keeping values high for existing home inventory, too.
“That’s why I’m proud to have teamed up with McDonald Construction. We had success selling the six gorgeous $1.3 to $1.6 million homes of The Hills at Johnson Ridge, located on a quiet cul-de-sac near Olympic Hills Golf Club. At this moment, we have sold five of the seven new homes priced from $1.4 to $1.8 million on Timberland Trail, which is also a peaceful area near Olympic Hills. McDonald Construction is currently working on our next exciting development overlooking the river bluffs in southwest Eden Prairie, which will be officially announced soon. Call me today if you’d like to strike while that iron is hot!
“Fortunately, my failed retirement hasn’t prevented me from giving back like I have always enjoyed. I just completed my 12th year as chair of the Board of Appeal and Equalization, which hears and moderates Eden Prairie residents’ property tax appeals. I’ve also recently served on two boards dedicated to creating affordable housing in our city.
“I played trumpet professionally for 15 years after college. I have donated my time playing trumpet for St. Andrew’s since 1997, and more recently began performing as first trumpet player with the Eden Prairie Community Band. We performed four rousing concerts on a tour of the Baltics last summer. I can’t tell you how lucky I feel, to be part of a town that makes an experience like that possible.
“I guess you could say I’m grateful and blessed to be ‘failing at retirement’ – and even more so to be doing it in our beautiful, vibrant city of Eden Prairie!”
LyndonMoquist.com | LyndonMoquist@edinarealty.com | (952) 240-303