Landlord snapping up Lauderdale’s single-family homes

Longtime resident Joe Taylor likes the city of Lauderdale so much that he has spent the past six years becoming one of its biggest landlords.

During that time, Taylor has snapped up two duplexes and 25 single-family homes, which he has since converted to rental properties in this hamlet bordering Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Taylor’s spending spree has raised some alarms among the city’s 2,600 residents and city officials. In an already tight housing market, they fear the loss of so many homeownership opportunities for young families by Taylor and other potential investors will forever alter the character of their city.

“Lauderdale is a great place to live. Our housing is some of the most affordable in the metro,” said City Administrator Heather Butkowski. “Now, all of this naturally…