Balsam Holdings was founded by Steve Kavan, a real estate investor focused on land, land development and homebuilding both locally and nationally since 2008. 

At a local alternative investment firm, from 2008 to 2021, Steve invested across the homebuilding industry in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, Texas and Washington.  These investments included providing equity capital for 80+ homebuilder joint ventures, starting a homebuilder that eventually built over 3,500 homes, providing capital for over 30 lot/land entitlement and development joint ventures, as well as providing construction loans to homebuilders and land banking for public homebuilders.

Locally starting in 2009 and in an individual capacity, Steve has invested in 600+ acres located in Becker, Cologne, Forest Lake, Lino Lakes, Otsego, Rogers and Scandia, with realized sales to homebuilders and other investors of 430+ acres.  In 2022, Steve became more active in land development starting with the subdivision of a 9-acre single family project on a lake in Rogers, entitling a 38 lot project in Becker, and by taking a more active role in his 32 acre mixed-use project in Forest Lake.  Steve works closely with experienced consultants including The Bancorp Group, James R. Hill, Inc., and local environmental, geotechnical and surveying companies to help realize these projects.

Steve splits his time between real estate investing and growing Christmas trees on his 40 acre Lino Lakes Christmas Tree Farm his family started in 2019 (www.kavanfamilyfarm.com). He also enjoys being an active dad in the sports and school activities for his two children (9 & 12) and looks forward to cross country skiing each winter.