Lumber prices plunged to their lowest level in more than two years following the Federal Reserve’s 75-basis-point rate hike last week, as soaring mortgage interest rates and the slowdown in the US housing market have caused lumber demand to cool rapidly this year. The Wall Street Journal reports lumber futures are down about one-third from a year ago and have fallen more than 70% from this year’s peak in March.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 24:

• New Listings decreased 20.2% to 1,273
• Pending Sales decreased 29.4% to 983
• Inventory increased 0.4% to 9,039

FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.7% to $369,900
• Days on Market increased 22.7% to 27
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 2.4% to 99.9%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 20.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2021

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

Mortgage rates topped 6% the week ending 9/15, as hotter-than-expected inflation helped push rates to their highest level since 2008 amid growing recession concerns. According to Freddie Mac, mortgage rates are now double what they were this time last year, squeezing homebuyer budgets and causing home sales to slow under the weight of rising borrowing costs.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 17:

• New Listings decreased 20.5% to 1,424
• Pending Sales decreased 31.3% to 908
• Inventory increased 1.3% to 8,962

FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.7% to $369,900
• Days on Market increased 22.7% to 27
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 2.4% to 99.9%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 20.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2021

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

Rents continue to soar to new highs amid low vacancy rates, with the median rent hitting $1,879 in the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas in July, a 12.3% increase from the same time last year, according to a recent report from Realtor.com. Although rents remain elevated, rent growth appears to be slowing, having increased only $3 from June to July, with tenants in urban areas typically seeing higher rent hikes compared to those in the suburbs.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 20:

• New Listings decreased 27.3% to 1,326
• Pending Sales decreased 23.5% to 1,138
• Inventory increased 5.1% to 8,953

FOR THE MONTH OF JULY:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $375,000
• Days on Market increased 15.8% to 22
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 2.0% to 101.5%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 20.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2021

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

After declining for three consecutive quarters, the share of homebuyers actively searching for a home grew to 49% nationally in the second quarter of 2022, up from 46% the previous quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recent Housing Trends Report. NAHB economists credit the rise in buyer activity to a less competitive housing market, which has motivated more prospective buyers to advance from the planning stage of the homebuying process to actively trying to purchase a home.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 13:

• New Listings decreased 16.0% to 1,480
• Pending Sales decreased 22.6% to 1,173
• Inventory increased 5.4% to 8,948

FOR THE MONTH OF JULY:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $375,000
• Days on Market increased 15.8% to 22
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 2.0% to 101.5%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 20.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2021

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

The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage dropped to 4.99% the week ending 8/4, marking the first time since April rates have dipped below 5%, according to Freddie Mac. With rates down the past two weeks, the Mortgage Bankers Association reports mortgage applications rose slightly from the previous week, including an uptick in refinance applications, as buyers took advantage of the opportunity to lock in lower rates and save on their monthly mortgage payment.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6:

• New Listings decreased 21.7% to 1,560
• Pending Sales decreased 23.1% to 1,118
• Inventory increased 7.8% to 8,818

FOR THE MONTH OF JULY:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $375,000
• Days on Market increased 15.8% to 22
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 2.0% to 101.5%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 20.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2021

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

As housing supply continues to increase across the country, prospective buyers’ housing expectations are on the rise as well, with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reporting the share of prospective buyers expecting their home search to be easier in the coming months climbed to 22% in the second quarter, up from 17% in the first quarter. The NAHB attributes the improved outlook among buyers to increases in inventory and a decline in buyer competition.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 30:

• New Listings decreased 24.5% to 1,443
• Pending Sales decreased 22.4% to 1,171
• Inventory increased 10.3% to 8,830

FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE:

• Median Sales Price increased 8.6% to $380,000
• Days on Market increased 5.0% to 21
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.8% to 103.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 23.1% to 1.6

All comparisons are to 2021

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

Mortgage applications declined for the fourth straight week, falling 1.8 percent from the previous week and marking the lowest level of activity since February 2000, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Increasing mortgage rates, escalating sales prices, and decades-high inflation continue to hinder affordability, putting homeownership on hold for many prospective buyers.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 23:

• New Listings decreased 13.5% to 1,607
• Pending Sales decreased 25.1% to 1,142
• Inventory increased 9.7% to 8,729

FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE:

• Median Sales Price increased 8.6% to $380,000
• Days on Market increased 5.0% to 21
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.8% to 103.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 23.1% to 1.6

All comparisons are to 2021

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

Increasing homeownership costs have led many prospective homebuyers to continue renting, adding additional pressure to an already highly competitive rental market. Rental vacancy rates have remained below 6% since Q3 2021, a 3-decade low, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. As demand continues to outpace supply, rents on new leases have surged 14.1% this year through June, according to Apartment List, a huge leap from the typical 2% – 3% annual rent increases before the pandemic.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 16:

• New Listings decreased 11.5% to 1,750
• Pending Sales decreased 24.8% to 1,097
• Inventory increased 10.1% to 8,441

FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE:

• Median Sales Price increased 8.6% to $380,000
• Days on Market increased 5.0% to 21
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.8% to 103.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 23.1% to 1.6

All comparisons are to 2021

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

Homebuyers felt a tinge of relief recently as mortgage rates softened somewhat, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage falling from 5.7% to 5.3% the week ending July 7, the biggest one week decline since 2008, according to Freddie Mac. Over the past two weeks mortgage rates have dropped by half a percent, making homebuying about 5% more affordable than last month and saving buyers approximately $100 in monthly mortgage payments, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 9:

• New Listings decreased 18.3% to 1,481
• Pending Sales decreased 19.0% to 931
• Inventory increased 12.0% to 8,123

FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE:

• Median Sales Price increased 8.6% to $380,000
• Days on Market increased 5.0% to 21
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.8% to 103.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 23.1% to 1.6

All comparisons are to 2021

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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Baby Boomers own 32 million homes, accounting for more than 40% of homes owned nationwide. As the second largest population group continues to age and transitions to other housing options, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts more than 4 million existing homes will hit the market annually over the next decade, boosting supply and helping to meet the growing homeownership demand of younger generations.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 2:

• New Listings decreased 3.1% to 1,385
• Pending Sales decreased 26.0% to 1,231
• Inventory increased 9.8% to 8,209

FOR THE MONTH OF MAY:

• Median Sales Price increased 9.0% to $375,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.2% to 23
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 104.1
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 27.3% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2021

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