While financial markets are becoming more volatile in recent weeks, national and regional real estate indicators are sending mixed signals. For the first time in seventeen months, July pending sales saw moderate gains over the previous year nationally. At the same time, home prices continue to be at or near record levels in many markets as supply remains limited.

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

• New Listings increased 7.1% to 1,984
• Pending Sales decreased 1.0% to 1,341
• Inventory decreased 3.8% to 12,152

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.2% to $290,000
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.3% to 100.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 4.0% to 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

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

As we await July results, the June numbers and preliminary July indicators suggest that current trends in most real estate markets are likely to continue. Mid-to-lower priced segments continue to experience imbalances favoring sellers, leading to steady year-over-year increases in price, outpacing inflation in many markets. Although the Fed rate decrease dominated the news this week, industry experts seem to agree this event by itself is unlikely to have much effect on mortgage rates and real estate markets, at least in the short term.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 27:

• New Listings decreased 4.7% to 1,736
• Pending Sales decreased 4.9% to 1,364
• Inventory decreased 3.0% to 12,236

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.2% to $290,000
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.3% to 100.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 4.0% to 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

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

Residential real estate markets across the nation have been performing quite well at this point in the year in terms of home sales, price and inventory. Although not always true at every price point and home type in every geography, the general rule of thumb in 2019 as we stretch beyond the halfway point of the year has been a trend of relative market balance, which is a great thing for both real estate professionals and consumers.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 20:

• New Listings decreased 2.4% to 1,883
• Pending Sales decreased 3.6% to 1,342
• Inventory decreased 2.8% to 12,005

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.2% to $290,000
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.3% to 100.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 4.0% to 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

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

Every year during the week of Independence Day, real estate markets across the country slow down as buyers, sellers and real estate professionals take some time off during the height of summer to spend time with friends and family. This year continued that tradition, except that new listings declined a little more and pending sales rose a little more. This is of particular interest because that is the exact dynamic that will keep prices on the rise.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 13:

• New Listings increased 0.5% to 2,227
• Pending Sales increased 0.3% to 1,470
• Inventory decreased 2.1% to 11,759

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.2% to $290,000
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.3% to 100.0%
• 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.

The order of the day is market balance between buyer and seller interests. While true that there may not be as many homes for sale to choose from and that prices are on the high end for the average first-time home buyer, there are considerations for sellers as well. Such as, more markets are swinging toward the back side of balance with fewer sales leading to some amount of downward price pressure from a beleaguered buyer core that is becoming less willing to overreach.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 6:

• New Listings decreased 16.0% to 1,006
• Pending Sales increased 11.5% to 1,187
• Inventory increased to 12,074

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.2% to $290,000
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.3% to 100.0%
• 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.

The summer selling season is progressing with plenty of buying and selling activity thus far, thanks to a healthy economy that has consumers willing to spend their hard-earned money on the things they desire, even if it’s more expensive than it was a few years ago. This has proven to be true in several sectors, whether retail, travel or even housing, the most expensive purchase most people will ever make in their lives.

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

• New Listings increased 0.4% to 1,878
• Pending Sales decreased 5.0% to 1,498
• Inventory decreased 0.3% to 12,083

For the month of May:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.2% to $285,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.3% to 45
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 100.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 4.3% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

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

Persistently low mortgage rates and slower price increases have combined with economic growth, low unemployment, wage improvement and consumer confidence to keep home buyers in the market, despite insufficient supply. Builders have not made enough new homes for several years, and, thus, national housing inventory is extremely tight. The vacancy rate for owner-occupied homes in 2018 was the lowest since 1995. If the economy begins to slow, this situation is unlikely to improve.

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

• New Listings increased 1.9% to 2,028
• Pending Sales increased 1.2% to 1,494
• Inventory increased 1.1% to 12,008

For the month of May:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.2% to $285,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.3% to 45
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 100.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 4.3% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

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

As anticipated, the Federal Reserve did not change the target range for the federal funds rate (currently set at 2.25% to 2.5%) during their most recent meeting, but the door was left open for a possible rate reduction in 2019 following a string of increases over the last several years. Although the economy is still performing well due to low unemployment and solid retail sales, trade tensions, slowed manufacturing and meek business investments have created uncertainty.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 15:

• New Listings remained flat at 2,069
• Pending Sales decreased 2.0% to 1,463
• Inventory increased 1.0% to 11,687

For the month of May:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.2% to $285,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.3% to 45
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 100.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 4.3% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

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

In terms of relative balance between buyer and seller interests, residential real estate markets across the country continue to perform well on a stage that includes actors such as heightened consumer confidence, wage increases, low unemployment and an economic expansion that is on the verge of being the longest in U.S. history. Well-known players such as increased sales prices and low inventory have recently been joined by fewer new listings in several markets.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 8:

• New Listings increased 4.1% to 2,187
• Pending Sales decreased 2.0% to 1,467
• Inventory decreased 0.6% to 11,237

For the month of May:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.2% to $285,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.3% to 45
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 100.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 4.3% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

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

Despite home prices that seem to be creeping ever upward like unchecked crabgrass, pending sales have been performing well, and new listings are generally keeping up with demand in a manner that is propelling the housing industry forward into weed-free pastures. The Federal Reserve considers 2.0% a healthy inflation rate, but the U.S. is expected to remain below that in 2019, which could prompt as many as three rate cuts this year. In turn, that could boost housing further. Excelsior!

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 1:

• New Listings increased 1.2% to 1,839
• Pending Sales increased 6.3% to 1,558
• Inventory remained flat at 11,018

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.2% to $281,000
• Days on Market increased 7.5% to 57
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.5% to 99.4%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 5.0% to 2.1

All comparisons are to 2018

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