Weekly Market Report


For Week Ending November 16, 2019

In the Federal Housing Administration’s 2019 Annual Report to Congress, the FHA announced their Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund Capital Ratio stood at 4.84%, up from 2.76% last year and well above the 2% minimum required by Congress. This has prompted the National Association of REALTORS® to advocate for a reduction in FHA insurance premiums and eliminating the life-of-loan mortgage insurance requirement. While the FHA has not committed to any changes at this time, there is optimism for change in the future as the reserves continue to increase. With FHA loan market share at 11.4% in the 2019 report, any reduction in mortgage insurance costs would positively affect a large number of future borrowers.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 16:

  • New Listings increased 6.2% to 1,028
  • Pending Sales increased 6.3% to 999
  • Inventory decreased 6.1% to 11,147

For the month of October:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.7% to $280,000
  • Days on Market decreased 4.2% to 46
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.1%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 4.0% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

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

Listings, Sales, Prices: All Rise

November 19, 2019

The Twin Cities real estate market started the fourth quarter of 2019 on a strong note with buyer and seller activity rising in October compared to 2018. Buoyed by historically low interest rates, the number of new listings and pending sales rose last month and the median price of a home also increased.

New listings increased by 3.8 percent last month to nearly 6,300 properties on the market. Pending home sales increased 4.9 percent in October, continuing their steady rise since mortgage rates dipped below 4.0 percent in June. The increase also puts the number of pending sales in positive territory for the year. Continuing the market’s upward trend, the median price of a home in the Twin Cities rose to $280,000 in October, a 5.7 percent increase over last year.

October reversed a trend of rising days on market and continued September’s reversal of sellers accepting a slightly lower share of their list price compared to last year. With increased sales activity, quicker market times and sellers yielding strong offers, it’s no wonder more sellers decided to list. There are still some signs that the market is rebalancing, but buyers awaiting spooky news could see their patience tested based on October numbers.

While inventory has grown this year, supply remains tight for first-time buyers and downsizing households competing for homes under $350,000. At this price point, multiple offers and homes selling for over list price in record time is still common. Builders struggle to replenish inventory due to high costs, a labor shortage and regulatory constraints. The shortage of affordable homes has prompted many owners to stay put. With 2.3 months of supply, the Twin Cities market is still significantly undersupplied.

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

  • Sellers listed 6,258 properties on the market, a 3.8 percent increase from last October
  • Buyers closed on 5,391 homes, a 1.3 percent increase
  • Inventory levels decreased 5.8 percent from last October to 11,607 units
  • Months Supply of Inventory was down 8.0 percent to 3 months
  • The Median Sales Price rose 5.7 percent to $280,000
  • Cumulative Days on Market declined 4.2 percent to 46 days, on average (median of 25)
  • 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

“Interest rates are boosting buyer confidence,” said Todd Urbanski, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “Consumers may also be realizing that some of their fears around the market and economy could be overstated.”

“The latest figures show our key metrics returning to growth,” said Linda Rogers, President-Elect of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “We expect Minnesota and the Midwest to fare well should that change.”
From The Skinny Blog.

Weekly Market Report


For Week Ending November 9, 2019

With the stock market reaching record highs, continued low unemployment, and low mortgage rates, many signs in the US economy remain strong. However, total household debt has been rising for twenty-one consecutive quarters and is now $1.3 trillion higher than the previous peak of $12.68 trillion in 2008. While delinquency rates remain low across most debt types, including mortgages, higher consumer debt loads can limit future household spending capability and increase risk if the economy slows down.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 9:

  • New Listings increased 6.3% to 1,094
  • Pending Sales increased 1.6% to 992
  • Inventory decreased 5.9% to 11,463

For the month of October:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.7% to $280,000
  • Days on Market decreased 4.2% to 46
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.1%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 4.0% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

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

Weekly Market Report


For Week Ending November 2, 2019

This week the Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark rate for the third time this year. This action was widely anticipated by the market and mortgage rates rose for the third consecutive week. Despite the recent rise, rates still remain approximately one percent lower than a year ago, which has a substantial effect on buying power. Also this week, a TransUnion analysis predicts a surge of additional first-time homebuyers will enter the market between 2020 and 2022, climbing from 7.6 million buyers in the 2016-2018 period to 8.3-9.2 million in the 2020-2022 period.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 2:

  • New Listings increased 9.2% to 1,223
  • Pending Sales increased 3.3% to 1,043
  • Inventory decreased 5.5% to 11,917

For the month of September:

  • Median Sales Price increased 6.8% to $279,900
  • 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


For Week Ending October 26, 2019

A new Census report this week announced that new construction home sales nationwide decreased slightly to a seasonally adjusted rate of 701,000 units, which is 15.5% higher than a year ago. Also in the announcement was news that the median sales price of new construction homes declined to $299,440 nationally, down 8% from a year ago. This decline was due to an increase in the availability of new homes at lower price points and is a welcomed change in what has been an underserved segment of the market.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 26:

  • New Listings decreased 0.4% to 1,239
  • Pending Sales increased 9.1% to 1,094
  • Inventory decreased 4.9% to 12,212

For the month of September:

  • Median Sales Price increased 6.8% to $279,700
  • 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.