In the last month, mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest monthly average in more than three years, and now Fannie Mae is predicting that continued low rates, and possibly lower rates, are expected in 2020. These historically low mortgage rates have and will continue to support buyer demand and may create additional lift to home prices as lower financing costs give buyers the ability to offer more to secure their dream home.

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

• New Listings increased 7.3% to 1,496
• Pending Sales decreased 5.9% to 1,036
• Inventory decreased 4.4% to 12,457

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.5% to $279,000
• Days on Market increased 2.4% to 43
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.5%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.7% to 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

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

With the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage approximately one percentage point lower than a year ago according to Freddie Mac, buyers are actively taking advantage. Home refinancing is also going strong and overall mortgage demand, which includes purchase mortgages as well as refinancings, is up 50% from a year ago. Lower mortgage rates help maintain housing affordability in the face of price appreciation across much of the country.

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

• New Listings decreased 2.7% to 1,517
• Pending Sales increased 1.5% to 1,180
• Inventory decreased 3.4% to 12,597

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $286,900
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

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

The Commerce Department reported sales of newly built homes nationwide have surged 18% compared to a year ago and housing starts and building permits reached a 12-year high in August. This surge in both sales and new construction shows strong market confidence by both buyers and builders. However, further increases in new construction starts are still required to meet demand and bring more balance.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 28:

• New Listings decreased 3.3% to 1,546
• Pending Sales decreased 3.0% to 1,112
• Inventory decreased 3.6% to 12,716

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.0% to $286,875
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

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

This week the National Association of REALTORS® reported that nationally, August existing-home sales rose 2.6% from a year ago. Additionally, the Federal Reserve announced a rate cut for the second time in seven weeks, though this was widely expected and largely factored into mortgage rates already. A strong economy along with mortgage rates near their lows for the year continue to support healthy housing demand.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 21:

• New Listings increased 7.6% to 1,676
• Pending Sales decreased 2.4% to 1,158
• Inventory decreased 4.4% to 12,628

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.9% to $286,500
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

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

With kids back in school and the weather beginning to cool, the housing market begins its annual cooldown as well. With buyer and seller activity remaining strong, it will be at a little more relaxed pace than during the late spring and summer. While Halloween decorations may be adorning stores and soon adorn the stoops of homes around the country, the real estate market this fall is looking far from scary.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 14:

• New Listings decreased 1.3% to 1,820
• Pending Sales decreased 7.8% to 1,144
• Inventory decreased 4.8% to 12,423

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.7% to $286,000
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.8% to 2.5

All comparisons are to 2018

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

The White House has released a plan to broadly overhaul the housing finance system, including the re-privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and reforms to federal agencies involved with financing substantial portions of the mortgages made every year. These changes will affect the cost and availability of loans in the future. Many recommendations will require legislative approval, so it is unclear at this time how much of the plan may eventually be implemented and its ultimate impact on the housing market.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 7:

• New Listings decreased 3.8% to 1,691
• Pending Sales increased 5.3% to 1,113
• Inventory decreased 4.5% to 12,224

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.7% to $286,000
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.8% to 2.5

All comparisons are to 2018

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

Recent mortgage rate declines may provide a small tailwind as we enter the fall housing market, giving buyers a bit more buying power and a little more incentive to lock in a home purchase. However, stock market volatility and concern of a wider economic slowdown in the coming year may temper some buyer enthusiasm. But as rents continue to rise, the value proposition of owning a home remains a compelling option and a goal of most Americans.

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

• New Listings increased 4.9% to 1,359
• Pending Sales decreased 3.1% to 1,250
• Inventory decreased 4.4% to 12,498

For the month of July:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.9% to $283,900
• Days on Market remained flat at 38
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.1% to 99.7%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.5

All comparisons are to 2018

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

Lack of affordable inventory has been a key story in real estate in the last few years. There is a growing consensus suggesting the U.S. economy could be entering a recession, and some wonder whether this could lead to an adjustment in housing prices. However, this scenario is unlikely to make housing more affordable, as economic uncertainty is likely to discourage first-time home buyers and could make construction companies leary of building new homes.

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

• New Listings decreased 1.5% to 1,664
• Pending Sales increased 1.9% to 1,253
• Inventory decreased 3.9% to 12,501

For the month of July:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.8% to $283,420
• Days on Market remained flat at 38
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.1% to 99.7%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.5

All comparisons are to 2018

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

As families across the U.S. enjoy the last few weeks of summer before the start of the school year, it seems that the real estate market is seeing an infusion of new energy that is partially offsetting the expected seasonal slowdown. Further decreases in housing inventory and month’s supply at the national level point to a moderate influx of new buyers, perhaps due to the allure of lower mortgage rates. It remains to be seen whether these trends will be affected by events in the general economy.

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

• New Listings decreased 2.9% to 1,712
• Pending Sales increased 3.9% to 1,316
• Inventory decreased 3.5% to 12,392

For the month of July:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.9% to $283,900
• Days on Market remained flat at 38
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.1% to 99.7%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.5

All comparisons are to 2018

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

As July data roll in, more economists wonder whether we are seeing the signs of an economic slowdown. Yet that would not necessarily imply a slowdown in the housing market. While July’s existing home sales fell below analyst expectations, consumer confidence in housing reached new highs as mortgage rates dropped and more homeowners refinanced their homes. It remains to be seen whether growing confidence and lower rates will help boost home sales.

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

• New Listings decreased 2.1% to 1,794
• Pending Sales increased 3.8% to 1,342
• Inventory decreased 3.0% to 12,339

For the month of July:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.0% to $283,950
• Days on Market remained flat at 38
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.6%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.5

All comparisons are to 2018

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