The percentage of first-time home buyers fell to 31% in June, the lowest level in more than 3 decades, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Cash offers, bidding wars, and soaring home prices are making it increasingly difficult for first-time buyers to compete in a market with record low inventory and declining housing affordability, even as 30-year mortgage rates dropped below 3 percent for the first time since February.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 31:

• New Listings decreased 1.6% to 1,832
• Pending Sales decreased 10.4% to 1,476
• Inventory decreased 25.9% to 7,427

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.8% to $350,000
• Days on Market decreased 52.4% to 20
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.5% to 104.1%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 42.9% to 1.2

All comparisons are to 2020

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

Sales of new construction single-family homes fell to a 14-month low, dropping 6.6% in June compared to May, according to the Commerce Department, although sales of new homes remain 13.5% higher compared to a year ago. The recent decline in sales can be attributed to rising construction costs and building material prices, with these increases then passed on to consumers, and to labor and supply chain challenges, which have extended homebuilding timelines, frustrating buyers and further aggravating America’s housing shortage.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 24:

• New Listings decreased 3.3% to 1,786
• Pending Sales decreased 4.6% to 1,481
• Inventory decreased 25.9% to 7,400

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.8% to $350,000
• Days on Market decreased 52.4% to 20
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.5% to 104.1%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 42.9% to 1.2

All comparisons are to 2020

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

Cash buyers continue to make up a significant portion of the U.S. housing market, with nearly one-third of home sales this year being all-cash purchases. Although investors make up a considerable number of cash sales transactions, the increasing availability of remote work during the pandemic has allowed some homeowners to sell their homes in pricey markets and relocate to less-expensive locales, where they’re able to pay cash for a new home, giving them an edge in a highly competitive market.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 17:

• New Listings increased 3.1% to 1,909
• Pending Sales decreased 12.0% to 1,422
• Inventory decreased 29.0% to 7,106

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.8% to $350,000
• Days on Market decreased 52.4% to 20
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.5% to 104.1%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 42.9% to 1.2

All comparisons are to 2020

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

As sales prices surge, housing affordability continues to decline, despite historically low interest rates. According to the National Association of REALTORS® Housing Affordability Index, the median family income increased by only 1.2% in May, while the monthly mortgage payment rose to $1,204, a 20% gain compared to a year ago. Homeowners are allocating more of their income toward their mortgage, putting additional strain on consumers’ pocketbooks amid rising inflation, as the Consumer Price Index jumped 5.4% in the year through June, according to the Labor Department, the largest year-over-year gain since August 2008.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 10:

• New Listings decreased 7.8% to 1,751
• Pending Sales decreased 30.1% to 1,103
• Inventory decreased 32.6% to 6,709

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.8% to $350,000
• Days on Market decreased 52.4% to 20
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.5% to 104.1%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 42.9% to 1.2

All comparisons are to 2020

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

Mortgage applications decreased 1.8% last week, falling to the lowest level since January 2020, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index, with declines noted in both refinance and purchase applications. Rising home prices and low inventory are responsible for the decline, even as mortgage rates remain low, causing experts to speculate whether the roaring housing market is finally cooling down.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 3:

• New Listings decreased 1.9% to 1,343
• Pending Sales increased 4.3% to 1,610
• Inventory decreased 33.5% to 6,906

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.6% to $344,000
• Days on Market decreased 41.5% to 24
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.4% to 104.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 50.0% to 1.1

All comparisons are to 2020

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

The U.S. Department of Labor reported unemployment claims fell to 364,000 for the week ending June 26, down 51,000 from the previous week’s revised total and the lowest level for initial jobless claims since the pandemic began. Nationwide, the existing-home median sales price set a new record high of $350,300, a 23.6% year-over-year increase, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Some economists are predicting an increased supply of homes for sale in coming months, which may help to moderate home price increases later in the year.

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

• New Listings increased 5.4% to 1,827
• Pending Sales decreased 3.9% to 1,598
• Inventory decreased 34.2% to 6,898

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.6% to $344,000
• Days on Market decreased 41.5% to 24
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.4% to 104.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 50.0% to 1.1

All comparisons are to 2020

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

U.S. median rental prices increased 5.5% year over year for an average of $1,527 in May, exceeding pre-pandemic figures and putting rents at their highest level in two years, according to realtor.com’s Monthly Rental Report. Meanwhile, after months of record highs, lumber prices have finally begun falling, with futures for July delivery down 41% since May’s record high, their biggest ever weekly loss, Bloomberg reports. Still, demand for housing remains strong as ever, with mortgage and refinance applications up from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 12:

• New Listings increased 9.5% to 1,894
• Pending Sales increased 4.6% to 1,531
• Inventory decreased 42.4% to 6,109

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.6% to $343,750
• Days on Market decreased 41.5% to 24
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.4% to 104.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 54.5% to 1.0

All comparisons are to 2020

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

Fannie Mae’s new refinancing program, RefiNow™, which offers qualifying homeowners with a Fannie Mae-owned mortgage new options for refinancing their loans, officially starts on June 5th. Borrowers at or below 80% of the area’s median income may qualify for this new program, which can lower interest rates and reduce monthly payments by $50 or more. Homeowners can learn more about qualifications and their options by contacting their lender or visiting KnowYourOptions.com.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 5:

• New Listings decreased 3.5% to 1,704
• Pending Sales decreased 21.3% to 1,185
• Inventory decreased 44.3% to 5,892

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 10.2% to $336,250
• Days on Market decreased 34.0% to 31
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.4% to 103.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 47.6% to 1.1

All comparisons are to 2020

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

According to Black Knight, mortgage loan delinquency rates are continuing to decline, with the national delinquency rate falling to 4.66% in its April survey from 5.02% in March. While the continued decline of delinquency rates is a positive sign, nearly 1.8 million first-lien mortgages remain seriously delinquent, which is 1.3 million more than before the pandemic.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 29:

• New Listings increased 2.0% to 1,515
• Pending Sales increased 30.6% to 1,673
• Inventory decreased 45.4% to 5,837

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 10.2% to $336,250
• Days on Market decreased 34.0% to 31
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.4% to 103.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 47.6% to 1.1

All comparisons are to 2020

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

A new analysis from Realtor.com® found that 20% of home sales nationwide in the first two months of this year were purchased in cash, up about 5% from a year ago. The substantial increase in cash buyers can be partially attributed to the competitiveness of the housing market, where a cash offer can help a buyer’s offer stand out from competing offers. Meanwhile, for buyers that do need to finance their purchase, mortgage rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged just 3% last week.

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

• New Listings increased 1.1% to 1,818
• Pending Sales increased 7.5% to 1,625
• Inventory decreased 45.1% to 5,838

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 10.4% to $336,845
• Days on Market decreased 34.0% to 31
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.4% to 103.3%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 52.4% to 1.0

All comparisons are to 2020

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