Now that's a Discount!

Was: $1.5 Million; Now: $599k

Where: 142xx Trace Ridge Road in Minnetonka, just west of 484

What: 4 BR/5 BA with 4,650 square feet on a .79 acre lot

How (much): list price is $599k

When: originally listed at $1.5 million in 2005

Who: co-listed by Mark Jelinek and Michael Mohs of Edina Realty (Mark is a colleague in the City Lakes office)

There may be a home on the market in the Twin Cities that's listed at a lower percentage of its tax assessed value (47%) or at a deeper discount from its original asking price (more than 60% off) -- but I'm not personally aware of it.

Two caveats for prospective Buyers:

One. It's a short sale. That means one or more banks have to agree to reduce the mortgage(s) on the home.

Short sales can be a long shot (sorry, bad pun), but if the listing agent has lots of experience dealing with them (Mark does) . . . the odds go up considerably.

Two. At least until a lower purchase price knocks down the annual property taxes, the current tax bill is a whopper (over $16k, about double what would typically go with a $600k house).