New construction activity continues to show strength, reaching pre-COVID-19 levels. The latest report from the Commerce Department and U.S. Housing and Urban Development shows total housing production is up 22.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of nearly 1.5 million units, the highest rate since February. Lumber prices have surged more than 110% since mid-April, adding approximately $14,000 to the typical new single-family home according to National Association of Home Builder estimates. Many are finding new construction home prices have increased in recent months from the pressures of increased costs to builders and strong consumer demand.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending August 22:

• New Listings increased 4.0% to 1,771
• Pending Sales increased 21.7% to 1,582
• Inventory decreased 30.3% to 9,262

For the month of July:

• Median Sales Price increased 10.6% to $313,000
• Days on Market increased 7.9% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.5% to 100.1%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 29.6% to 1.9

All comparisons are to 2019

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