Lauren Novak

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Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending October 19, 2019

While the U.S. Commerce Department reported that total housing starts dropped 9.4% month over month in September, that drop was focused on the apartment and condo segment while single-family housing starts actually rose .3%. Throughout much of the country, the continued low level of housing inventory is constraining sales activity from where it would be in a balanced market. Active inventory is in its normal seasonal decline, leaving buyers with fewer choices as we move towards the end of the year.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 19:

  • New Listings decreased 6.1% to 1,309
  • Pending Sales increased 6.5% to 1,138
  • Inventory decreased 3.7% to 12,440

For the month of September:

  • Median Sales Price increased 6.6% to $279,250
  • Days on Market increased 2.4% to 43
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.5%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.7% to 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending October 12, 2019

In the last month, mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest monthly average in more than three years, and now Fannie Mae is predicting that continued low rates, and possibly lower rates, are expected in 2020. These historically low mortgage rates have and will continue to support buyer demand and may create additional lift to home prices as lower financing costs give buyers the ability to offer more to secure their dream home.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 12:

  • New Listings increased 7.3% to 1,496
  • Pending Sales decreased 5.9% to 1,036
  • Inventory decreased 4.4% to 12,457

For the month of September:

  • Median Sales Price increased 6.5% to $279,000
  • Days on Market increased 2.4% to 43
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.5%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.7% to 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Sales, prices still rising despite some changes this year

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The latest numbers for Twin Cities residential real estate show a stable market with some ongoing signs of transition. Prices are still rising, supply is still tight, and demand has recovered even while market times have lengthened. Even though more buyers are closing on homes, the urgency has subsided somewhat. Days on market rose 2.4 percent from last September, marking the fifth year-over-year increase in the last seven months. Market times remain swift despite modest increases. Sales rose 3.4 percent and the median sales price increased 6.6 percent to $279,250. Pending sales—a measure of signed contracts and future demand—rose 2.9 percent. Both pending and closed sales are down slightly for the year so far, but that may change. New listings were up 2.5 percent, helping some buyers take advantage of historically low rates. Sellers have been accepting a slightly lower share of their list price compared to the year prior for seven of the last eight months—with September bucking that trend. This, along with other indicators, suggests the market is rebalancing in a way that could benefit buyers.

The number of active listings for sale is up over the last 12 months and for most of 2019. Even so, the market remains tight—particularly for first-time buyers and downsizers competing in the under $300,000 segment where multiple offers and homes selling for over list price remain commonplace. Despite the demand, builders struggle to replenish inventory in that undersupplied segment due to high land and material costs combined with a significant labor shortage and tricky regulations. The shortage of affordable homes has led to an increase in remodeling as people are staying in their homes longer. It’s challenging to find comparable home at a similar payment in the desired location. With just 2.5 months of supply, the Twin Cities is still significantly undersupplied.


September 2019 by the Numbers (compared to a year ago)

  • Sellers listed 7,041 properties on the market, a 2.5 percent increase from last September
  • Buyers closed on 5,358 homes, a 3.4 percent increase
  • Inventory levels decreased 5.6 percent from last September to 12,478 units
  • Months Supply of Inventory was down 7.4 percent to 5 months
  • The Median Sales Price rose 6.6 percent to $279,250
  • Cumulative Days on Market rose 2.4 percent to 43 days, on average (median of 22)
  • Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment
    • Single family sales rose 5.5 percent; condo sales increased 1.4 percent; townhome sales fell 0.5 percent
    • Traditional sales increased 4.8 percent; foreclosure sales dropped 21.1 percent; short sales fell 55.6 percent
    • Previously owned sales were up 4.4 percent; new construction sales climbed 2.6 percent

Quotables

“Attractive interest rates have unleashed some of the pent-up demand from earlier this year,” said Todd Urbanski, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “But each price point, product type and area is unique.”

“Buyers are still very much motivated despite some challenges,” said Linda Rogers, President-Elect of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “It really shows the resilience of our region and the value of homeownership.”
From The Skinny Blog.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending October 5, 2019

With the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage approximately one percentage point lower than a year ago according to Freddie Mac, buyers are actively taking advantage. Home refinancing is also going strong and overall mortgage demand, which includes purchase mortgages as well as refinancings, is up 50% from a year ago. Lower mortgage rates help maintain housing affordability in the face of price appreciation across much of the country.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 5:

  • New Listings decreased 2.7% to 1,517
  • Pending Sales increased 1.5% to 1,180
  • Inventory decreased 3.4% to 12,597

For the month of August:

  • Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $286,900
  • Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
  • Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending September 28, 2019

The Commerce Department reported sales of newly built homes nationwide have surged 18% compared to a year ago and housing starts and building permits reached a 12-year high in August. This surge in both sales and new construction shows strong market confidence by both buyers and builders. However, further increases in new construction starts are still required to meet demand and bring more balance.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 28:

  • New Listings decreased 3.3% to 1,546
  • Pending Sales decreased 3.0% to 1,112
  • Inventory decreased 3.6% to 12,716

For the month of August:

  • Median Sales Price increased 7.0% to $286,875
  • Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
  • Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending September 21, 2019

This week the National Association of REALTORS® reported that nationally, August existing-home sales rose 2.6% from a year ago. Additionally, the Federal Reserve announced a rate cut for the second time in seven weeks, though this was widely expected and largely factored into mortgage rates already. A strong economy along with mortgage rates near their lows for the year continue to support healthy housing demand.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 21:

  • New Listings increased 7.6% to 1,676
  • Pending Sales decreased 2.4% to 1,158
  • Inventory decreased 4.4% to 12,628

For the month of August:

  • Median Sales Price increased 6.9% to $286,500
  • Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
  • Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending September 14, 2019

With kids back in school and the weather beginning to cool, the housing market begins its annual cooldown as well. With buyer and seller activity remaining strong, it will be at a little more relaxed pace than during the late spring and summer. While Halloween decorations may be adorning stores and soon adorn the stoops of homes around the country, the real estate market this fall is looking far from scary.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 14:

  • New Listings decreased 1.3% to 1,820
  • Pending Sales decreased 7.8% to 1,144
  • Inventory decreased 4.8% to 12,423

For the month of August:

  • Median Sales Price increased 6.7% to $286,000
  • Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
  • Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.8% to 2.5

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Things still feeling pretty stable out there, thanks for asking

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September 18, 2019

With two-thirds of the year in the books, we’re getting a clearer picture of where the housing market stands. The latest numbers for Twin Cities residential real estate show stability along with signs of deceleration. The median sales price continued to rise, landing at $286,800 for the month. Pending sales—a measure of signed contracts and future demand—rose 3.2 percent but are down slightly for the year so far. New listings slipped 2.0 percent, thwarting some buyers’ hopes of taking advantage of historically low rates. Closed sales were down 0.9 percent for the month and are down 1.4 percent for the year. One sign of market shift is days on market, which rose 2.5 percent year-over-year. Market times remain swift, but that’s the fourth year-over-year increase this year. Another sign of a changing market is the ratio of sold to list price. Sellers have been accepting a slightly lower share of their list price compared to the year prior for seven of the last eight months. This, along with other indicators, suggests the market is rebalancing. The landscape seems to be improving for buyers, even though sellers still have strong pricing power, favorable negotiating leverage and quick market times.

The number of active listings for sale has been rising this year. Even so, the market remains tight—particularly for first-time buyers and downsizers competing in the sub-$300,000 segment where multiple offers and homes selling for over list price are commonplace. With just 2.5 months of supply, the Twin Cities is still significantly undersupplied. The move-up and upper-bracket segments are less competitive and better supplied. Given some of the recent economic uncertainty, it’s worth noting that the Twin Cities market is well-positioned to withstand an economic downturn.

August 2019 by the Numbers (compared to a year ago)

Sellers listed 7,678 properties on the market, a 2.0 percent decrease from last August
Buyers closed on 6,646 homes, a 0.9 percent decrease
Inventory levels decreased 5.5 percent from last August to 12,238 units
Months Supply of Inventory was down 3.8 percent to 2.5 months
The Median Sales Price rose 7.0 percent to $286,800, a record high for August
Cumulative Days on Market rose 2.5 percent to 41 days, on average (median of 21)
Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment

Single family sales rose 1.4 percent; condo sales decreased 6.2 percent; townhome sales fell 7.8 percent
Traditional sales increased 0.1 percent; foreclosure sales dropped 40.9 percent; short sales fell 45.5 percent
Previously owned sales were down 0.1 percent; new construction sales declined 5.0 percent

Quotables

“Some think the fall market isn’t for them, but tight conditions and favorable rates suggest momentum moving into 2020,” said Todd Urbanski, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “We’re at a moment when sellers are enjoying their position while buyers are taking advantage of lower than expected interest rates and more options.”

“Most markets remain stable across the metro,” said Linda Rogers, President-Elect of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “While there is a good amount of local variation, we just don’t see that many signs for concern.”
From The Skinny Blog.

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