Single-family rents increased 10.9% year-over-year as of last measure, the fastest year-over-year increase in more than 16 years, and more than 3 times the rate of increase a year earlier, according to the CoreLogic Single-Family Rent Index (SFRI). Vacancy rates are at a 25-year low, as demand for rental units has surged this year due to skyrocketing sales prices and low inventory in the residential housing sector, leading some aspiring buyers to rent while waiting for the market to moderate.

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

• New Listings decreased 23.5% to 565
• Pending Sales decreased 18.5% to 787
• Inventory decreased 20.8% to 5,543

FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 9.6% to $339,625
• Days on Market decreased 11.8% to 30
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.4% to 99.8%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 21.4% to 1.1

All comparisons are to 2020

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

With developable lots in short supply across the country, home builders are finding other ways to meet booming buyer demand. According to the most recent Annual Builder Practices Survey, one in four new single-family detached homes built in 2020 were located in established neighborhoods, with 19% of those homes built on infill lots, while 6% were teardowns. Demand for single-family homes continues to outpace supply, and infill development is expected to increase in market share in 2022 as builders ramp up production.

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

• New Listings decreased 21.4% to 701
• Pending Sales decreased 4.5% to 820
• Inventory decreased 17.3% to 5,965

FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 9.5% to $339,300
• Days on Market decreased 11.8% to 30
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.4% to 99.8%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 21.4% to 1.1

All comparisons are to 2020

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

The latest REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey found that, nationally, sellers of homes that closed in October saw 3.7 offers on average, which was up from 3.4 offers on average a year ago. The survey also found the typical buyer had made two unsuccessful offers before securing their new home, and that first-time buyers accounted for 29% of existing-home buyers, down from 32% a year ago. Cash purchases rose to 24% of sales from 19% one year ago, and non-primary residence buyers (investors and second home buyers) rose to 17% from 14% in 2020.

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

• New Listings decreased 1.0% to 860
• Pending Sales decreased 12.5% to 907
• Inventory decreased 16.1% to 6,297

FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.9% to $340,000
• Days on Market decreased 22.9% to 27
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 100.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 17.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2020

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

With showings, contract signings, and closed sales remaining strong throughout fall, experts are expecting an especially busy housing market this winter, as buyers rush to beat rising rental prices and anticipated increases in mortgage rates. Total existing home sales will top 6 million in 2021, the highest level in 15 years, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, who predicts home prices will continue to increase in 2022, albeit at a gentler rate compared to the recordsetting pace of this year.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27:

• New Listings decreased 15.8% to 496
• Pending Sales decreased 0.8% to 843
• Inventory decreased 15.7% to 6,714

FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.9% to $340,000
• Days on Market decreased 22.9% to 27
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 100.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 17.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2020

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

Consumer credit scores have risen since the beginning of the pandemic, according to FICO CEO William Lansing in a recent interview with MarketWatch. The average score across all segments rose eight points to 716, while consumers with scores below 600 saw a larger average increase, rising from 581 in April 2020 to 601 today. Pandemic-related relief programs and a decrease in consumer spending early in the pandemic are likely contributors to the improvement in scores. Higher credit scores can offer home buyers more loan options as well as lower interest rates, which can increase affordability and purchasing power.

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

• New Listings decreased 7.9% to 948
• Pending Sales increased 1.2% to 1,154
• Inventory decreased 15.5% to 7,042

FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.9% to $340,000
• Days on Market decreased 22.9% to 27
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 100.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 17.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2020

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

The Federal Housing Finance Agency may soon increase conforming loan limits, according to the Wall Street Journal, with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac expected to back mortgage loans close to $1 million dollars in high-cost markets, and loans up to $650K in other markets, beginning in 2022. The final loan limits are expected to be announced November 30th. The projected increases are meant to keep pace with the historic rise of sales prices in the last year. Conforming loans often offer lower interest rates and smaller down payments, making it more affordable and easier for some borrowers to purchase a home.

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

• New Listings increased 9.3% to 1,100
• Pending Sales increased 2.5% to 1,173
• Inventory decreased 14.3% to 7,466

FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.9% to $340,000
• Days on Market decreased 22.9% to 27
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 100.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 17.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2020

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

Cash-out refinances are up 33% from October last year, Black Knight reports, as Americans seek to take advantage of low interest rates and double-digit gains in home equity over the pandemic. Driven by soaring home values, U.S. tappable home equity reached 9.1 trillion dollars in October, prompting an increasing number of borrowers to cash out some of their equity for debt consolidation, investment purposes, home improvement projects, and more.

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

• New Listings decreased 4.2% to 1,217
• Pending Sales decreased 6.0% to 1,178
• Inventory decreased 14.6% to 7,640

FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.9% to $340,000
• Days on Market decreased 22.9% to 27
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 100.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 17.6% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2020

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

Millennials are leading the housing boom, accounting for 37% of home purchase over the last year, according to Barron’s. Increasing net worth, household formation, low mortgage rates, and a robust economy are a few of the reasons behind the recent growth of homebuyers in this age segment. With Millennials representing 22% of the U.S. population–and with their peak earning years ahead—experts remain optimistic about this generation’s impact on the housing market.

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

• New Listings increased 3.7% to 1,309
• Pending Sales increased 1.2% to 1,345
• Inventory decreased 13.8% to 8,025

FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 9.9% to $340,700
• Days on Market decreased 37.8% to 23
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.7% to 101.2%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 15.8% to 1.6

All comparisons are to 2020

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

Mortgage rates are on the rise, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 3.09% for the week ending October 21, 2021, according to Freddie Mac. Rates have climbed nearly one-third of a percent since early August. Despite increasing rates, which are projected to remain above 3% for the fourth quarter and rise even further next year, economists are expecting the housing market to continue to be active into 2022, thanks in part to strong buyer demand and increases in new listings.

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

• New Listings decreased 5.3% to 1,343
• Pending Sales decreased 14.7% to 1,235
• Inventory decreased 15.8% to 8,130

FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER:

• Median Sales Price increased 10.0% to $340,850
• Days on Market decreased 37.8% to 23
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.7% to 101.2%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 21.1% to 1.5

All comparisons are to 2020

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

The supply of entry-level housing is at its lowest level in nearly five decades, according to Freddie Mac, who reports that entry-level home construction decreased from 418,000 units per year in the 1970s to 65,000 units per year in 2020. The shortage of starter homes has proven challenging to first-time buyers, as many existing entry-level homes are being remodeled or demolished and replaced by much larger homes, while those that remain have become significantly more expensive, with sales prices increasing 64% from 2016, according to realtor.com.

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

• New Listings decreased 10.4% to 1,433
• Pending Sales decreased 12.7% to 1,305
• Inventory decreased 16.8% to 8,159

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 10.0% to $341,000
• Days on Market decreased 37.8% to 23
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.7% to 101.2%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 21.1% to 1.5

All comparisons are to 2020

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