Monthly Archives: March 2018

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending March 17, 2018

The Federal Reserve raised its key short-term interest rate from 1.50 to 1.75 percent, citing inflation concerns in an improved economy with rising wages and low unemployment. Borrowing money will be more expensive, particularly for home equity loans, credit cards and adjustable rate mortgages. Although it is the Fed’s sixth rate increase since December 2015, rates remain historically low. Home buyers should be aware that at least two more rate increases are expected this year.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 17:

  • New Listings decreased 10.7% to 1,562
  • Pending Sales decreased 9.2% to 1,188
  • Inventory decreased 23.2% to 8,123

For the month of February:

  • Median Sales Price increased 12.7% to $250,000
  • Days on Market decreased 15.9% to 69
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.6% to 98.0%
  • Months Supply of Inventory decreased 15.8% to 1.6

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending March 10, 2018

There is not much new to report this week compared to last week or the week before, but that is more good news than bad news at this juncture of the year. It’s true that more homes listed for sale would be welcome for a housing market ready for an influx of options. At the same time, there is ample evidence of buyers making the most of what is present on the market now. Contracts are being signed, and the prices being paid continue to prove demand.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 10:

  • New Listings decreased 20.3% to 1,419
  • Pending Sales decreased 9.5% to 1,069
  • Inventory decreased 21.7% to 8,006

For the month of February:

  • Median Sales Price increased 12.7% to $250,000
  • Days on Market decreased 15.9% to 69
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.6% to 98.0%
  • Months Supply of Inventory decreased 21.1% to 1.5

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

Sales down in early spring market while prices rally

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By David Arbit on Friday, March 16th, 2018

The big story of 2017 was threefold: the median sales price reached an all-time high; closed sales reached a 12-year high; and inventory levels reached a 15-year low. Sales nearly broke their all-time record, but fell just short of their all-time 2004 high. In February 2018, new listings posted a year-over-year decline for a fourth consecutive month. Mostly due to the supply shortage, closed sales were lower compared to the year prior for a third consecutive month. For-sale housing supply (inventory) was 23.0 percent lower than February 2017. This shortage has created a competitive environment where multiple offers have become commonplace. Sellers are receiving strong offers close to their original list price in record time, which can sometimes frustrate home buyers. New construction closed sales rose 15.7 percent compared to last February. Although single-family homes made up about 73.0 percent of all sales, condos and townhomes showed the strongest increase in closed sales. Similarly, previously-owned homes made up about 88.7 percent of sales but new construction showed a much stronger increase in pending and closed purchase activity.

February 2018 by the Numbers

  • Sellers listed 5,072 properties on the market, an 8.0 percent decrease from February 2017
  • Buyers closed on 2,635 homes, a 6.0 percent decrease from 2017
  • Inventory levels for February fell 23.0 percent compared to 2017 to 7,537 units, near a 15-year low
  • Months Supply of Inventory was down 21.1 percent to 1.5 months, also near a 15-year low
  • The Median Sales Price rose 12.7 percent to $250,000, a record high for February
  • Cumulative Days on Market declined 15.9 percent to 69 days, on average (median of 38)—a 12-year low
  • Changes in sales activity varied by market segment
    • Single-family sales fell 8.3 percent; condo sales rose 1.9 percent; townhome sales rose 6.3 percent
    • Traditional sales fell 1.3 percent; foreclosure sales fell 43.3 percent; short sales fell 39.6 percent
    • Previously-owned sales fell 6.3 percent; new construction sales rose 15.7 percent

From The Skinny Blog.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending March 3, 2018

We are still not seeing a big surge in new listings or sales as we make our way into the springtime months. Housing activity around the country is generally lagging compared to last year at this time. Lower affordability due to higher mortgage rates and increasing prices could be the culprit for a slower start in 2018. It could also be that some locales have had unseasonably cold weather, holding some people back from listing or buying. Let’s look at how the local market is doing.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 3:

  • New Listings decreased 11.1% to 1,569
  • Pending Sales decreased 19.5% to 1,004
  • Inventory decreased 21.9% to 7,757

For the month of January:

  • Median Sales Price increased 9.7% to $244,000
  • Days on Market decreased 13.8% to 69
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.0% to 96.9%
  • Months Supply of Inventory decreased 22.2% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending February 24, 2018

We are in a bit of a residential real estate holding pattern thus far in 2018. While some regions have witnessed a welcome increase in pending sales, declines in metrics such as closed sales, new listings and inventory in national year-over-year comparisons are more common, and it may take until late summer or early fall to see evidence of a predicted increase in inventory. In the mean time, buyer interest has remained strong despite the usual supply challenge.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending February 24:

  • New Listings decreased 8.0% to 1,262
  • Pending Sales decreased 8.6% to 968
  • Inventory decreased 22.8% to 7,618

For the month of January:

  • Median Sales Price increased 9.7% to $244,000
  • Days on Market decreased 13.8% to 69
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.0% to 96.9%
  • Months Supply of Inventory decreased 22.2% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.