According to recent data from Black Knight, more than 40% of US mortgages originated in 2020 – 2021, with almost 25% of all current home loans originating in 2021, when the pandemic helped mortgage rates tumble to historic lows. What’s more, nearly 65% of mortgages are at rates of 4% or below, offering little incentive for many current homeowners to sell their homes now that borrowing costs are significantly higher.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 4:

• New Listings decreased 23.2% to 1,126
• Pending Sales decreased 36.1% to 751
• Inventory increased 11.3% to 5,539

FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY:

• Median Sales Price increased 2.7% to $342,000
• Days on Market increased 46.3% to 60
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 3.6% to 96.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 55.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2022

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

According to a recent National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) survey, building material prices were the most significant issue for US homebuilders last year, with 96% of builders reporting that building material prices were a problem. Availability of building materials and cost and availability of labor also ranked among the largest problems builders faced in 2022, along with rising inflation and higher interest rates, both of which remain top concerns this year for the majority of builders surveyed.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 25:

• New Listings decreased 35.3% to 743
• Pending Sales decreased 23.5% to 744
• Inventory increased 15.1% to 5,735

FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY:

• Median Sales Price increased 2.7% to $342,000
• Days on Market increased 46.3% to 60
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 3.6% to 96.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 55.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2022

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

The number of homes available for sale continues to increase nationwide, with active listings up 65.5% compared to January 2022, according to Realtor.com’s most recent Monthly Housing Report. Buyers have 248,000 more homes to choose from compared to the same time last year, although the number of homes for sale is still 43.2% lower than it was in 2017 – 2019, prior to the pandemic. Nationally, homes are also spending more time on market compared to last year, giving prospective buyers greater opportunities to make their home purchase goals a reality.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 18:

• New Listings decreased 18.0% to 914
• Pending Sales decreased 23.1% to 698
• Inventory increased 13.9% to 5,667

FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY:

• Median Sales Price increased 2.7% to $342,000
• Days on Market increased 46.3% to 60
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 3.6% to 96.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 44.4% to 1.3

All comparisons are to 2022

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

Nationally, the median age of owner-occupied homes is 40 years, according to the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS), the most recent survey available. Among owner-occupied homes, nearly half were built before 1979, while only 10% of homes were built 2010 or later. As America’s housing stock continues to age, and with a limited supply of residential new construction available, the home renovation industry has experienced a boom the last few years, especially during the pandemic, which saw homeowner remodeling and repair spending increase by double digits, per the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 11:

• New Listings decreased 22.0% to 855
• Pending Sales decreased 22.6% to 713
• Inventory increased 15.1% to 5,647

FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY:

• Median Sales Price increased 2.7% to $342,000
• Days on Market increased 46.3% to 60
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 3.6% to 96.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 44.4% to 1.3

All comparisons are to 2022

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

Mortgage rates continued their downward trend, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 6.09% the week ending 2/2/23, according to Freddie Mac. Mortgage rates have declined steadily for the past 4 weeks and are now at their lowest level since their peak in November, when rates hit 7.08%. The drop in rates could save homebuyers hundreds of dollars on their monthly mortgage payments and may provide a boost in home sales ahead of the spring selling season.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 4:

• New Listings decreased 28.9% to 762
• Pending Sales decreased 23.0% to 695
• Inventory increased 18.3% to 5,776

FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $348,320
• Days on Market increased 47.1% to 50
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 3.2% to 96.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 55.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2022

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

U.S. housing starts declined in 2022, as homebuilders scaled back production due to high construction costs, affordability challenges, and a pullback in buyer demand. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1.55 million homes were started last year, a 3% drop from the previous year, and the first annual decline since 2009. However, housing completions increased, with 1.39 million homes completed in 2022, a 3.8% increase from the previous year, when 1.34 million homes were completed.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 28:

• New Listings decreased 17.5% to 724
• Pending Sales decreased 17.8% to 676
• Inventory increased 20.4% to 5,957

FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $348,320
• Days on Market increased 47.1% to 50
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 3.2% to 96.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 55.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2022

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

Housing inventory is increasing across most of the country, as home sales continue to slow amid higher mortgage rates and elevated home prices. According to Realtor.com’s December Housing Report, inventory rose in 49 out of the 50 largest metros annually, with active listings up 54.7% compared to the same period in 2021. Time on market is also increasing nationally, with the typical home spending 67 days on market as of last measure, 11 more days compared to December 2021.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 21:

• New Listings decreased 21.3% to 700
• Pending Sales decreased 15.3% to 643
• Inventory increased 21.0% to 6,083

FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $348,320
• Days on Market increased 47.1% to 50
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 3.2% to 96.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 55.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2022

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

Despite softening home prices, housing affordability continued to decline nationwide in Q4 2022 due in part to elevated interest rates. According to ATTOM’s Q4 2022 U.S. Home Affordability Report, median priced single-family homes and condos were less affordable compared to historical averages in 99% of counties nationwide, an increase from Q4 2021, when 68% of counties were less affordable. The portion of wages needed for homeownership costs also increased, with homeownership costs now requiring 32.3% of the average national wage, a 15-year high.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 14:

• New Listings decreased 5.6% to 772
• Pending Sales decreased 25.6% to 549
• Inventory increased 21.3% to 6,111

FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 4.9% to $347,900
• Days on Market increased 47.1% to 50
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 3.2% to 96.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 55.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2022

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

Fannie Mae recently announced changes to its automated underwriting system intended to simplify the loan process and help create more homeownership opportunities for underserved borrowers lacking an established credit history. The changes include updating eligibility criteria for loans where borrowers do not have a credit score, using borrowers’ bank statements to determine cash flow and balance trends, and providing an automated option for lenders to document nontraditional credit sources.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 7:

• New Listings decreased 5.3% to 808
• Pending Sales decreased 30.5% to 386
• Inventory increased 18.4% to 5,999

FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 4.4% to $354,900
• Days on Market increased 33.3% to 40
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 2.6% to 97.2%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 50.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2022

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

Rental prices are rising at the slowest pace in 19 months, with rents up 3.4% nationally as of last measure, marking the 10th consecutive month of slowing rent growth, according to Realtor.com’s recent Rental Report. Among the 50 largest metropolitan markets, the median asking rent declined $22 month-to-month to $1,712 and was down $69 from July 2022’s peak of $1,781. Rents in Sun Belt markets slowed at a faster rate than rents in the Midwest and in big metros such as Boston, Chicago, and New York, which have seen stronger rental growth this year.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 31:

• New Listings decreased 22.7% to 331
• Pending Sales decreased 29.0% to 409
• Inventory increased 20.2% to 6,582

FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 4.4% to $354,900
• Days on Market increased 33.3% to 40
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 2.6% to 97.2%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 50.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2021

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