Tom Schmidt

Tom was born and raised in Watertown , Minnesota .  He still lives in the Carver County area on a hobby farm with his wife Linda, and their three boys.

Tom graduated from Minnesota (Mankato) State University with majors in both Accounting and in Finance.  He has spent 25 years as a income tax manager/tax specialist and business consultant for some of the largest CPA firms in the metro area, including one firm that is ranked in the top 20 in the U.S.

A good portion of Tom's background in taxes was spent dealing with commercial and investment real estate. Tom's background in real estate outside the tax profession started within one year of his graduation from college when he purchased his first of several rental/investment properties. 

Tom also has experience in business as the owner of two 18-hole golf courses. Operating as the "general contractor" on 27 of the 36 holes developed, as well as being directly involved in splitting off residential lots on those properties has given Tom some unique hands on experiences in the real estate industry that will be of benefit to those he works with.

Tom has a variety of interests and hobbies that keep him occupied. He loves golf, music, plays guitar, collects vintage convertibles and is active playing organized baseball / softball. He also spends much of his spare time working with kids and coaching.  For several years he was active as the youth group director for his church. For the past five years Tom was basketball coach at Christ Community Lutheran School in Watertown, and estimates that to date he has coached in excess of 900 basketball and baseball games over the past 12 years.

Tom has joined forces with Larry (Marty) Tester to form the "Tester-Schmidt Real Estate Group". Tom and Marty are both honest, well respected businessmen in the community and operate with the utmost in care and concern for their clients. We are proud to have this group associated with Minnetonka Realty. We are confident that working with Tom and Marty together will prove to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience; they are truly a pleasure to deal with.

Check out the pictures below:
(Click on thumbnails for Larger Image)

Tom with Dan Cole the "Common Man"	Tom and his boys outside the Paul McCartney concert
Tom with Bud Chapman Famous Artist & Golf Pro	Tom and others golfing with Pat Reusse
Dinner with Carl Perkins	Dewey Bunnel & Gerry Beckley

Larry (Marty) Tester

As a Minnesota native and having been born and raised in the Carver County area, I truly appreciate the many interesting people and places this area has to offer. From lifelong to the countless new friends I've made while working in the Watertown and Waconia area for the past 30 years, I consider myself to be fortunate for the opportunities I have had to not only grow up here but to also make my living and also support my family here.

After attending North Hennepin Junior College and the Minneapolis School of Business, I took a job as a sales representative for a Minneapolis based flooring distributor, and wouldn't you know it, Carver County along with several adjoining counties was the area I was hired to call on and manage. After 15 years of managing for others, I decided to open my own flooring store in Waconia and I successfully operated there for the next 12 years.

In 2001, I was approached by Minnetonka Realty with an offer to buy my building in what is a prime location in Waconia, and the offer was simply too good for me to say no. I sold the building, got my license to sell real estate and again I was again able to live and work in the area I know and love and to be of service to its people.  I feel truly blessed to have been given such wonderful opportunities, and I can honestly say that the past five years in the real estate business have proven to be some of the most rewarding years I have ever experienced.

It's truly satisfying seeing the smiles of joy when given the opportunity to hand a young family the keys to the front door of their first home, or helping an older couple find that perfect new home when it's time to leave the house that has been responsible for so many beautiful memories of family and friends.

A long time friend and man I have the utmost respect for, Tom Schmidt, and I have formed the "Tester-Schmidt Real Estate Group". Together, along with our team of assistants feel we can better serve our clients by taking advantage of the many talents we as a team can offer.

We look forward to working with you and for you in helping to find or sell a home, a farm, land, cabin or even that investment property you've been putting off buying for years. If we can be of service to you or someone you know, trust that we will work hard for you, be honest, and treat you, your family, your friends with the utmost respect and courtesy with the professionalism and integrity you expect and deserve.