For Week Ending March 31, 2018

Climbing out of winter has taken more time than usual for much of the U.S., but house hunting should finally be taking center stage for many buyers. Quickly assessing what’s available for sale will be key for buyers in what is sure to be another competitive selling season. Buyers and sellers must watch for further mortgage rate increases and volatile economic indicators like a jumpy stock market and chilly relations with international trade partners, which can cause shifts in local housing markets.

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

• New Listings decreased 35.2% to 1,234
• Pending Sales decreased 19.2% to 1,124
• Inventory decreased 23.0% to 8,397

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.7% to $250,000
• Days on Market decreased 15.9% to 69
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.6% to 98.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 15.8% to 1.6

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending March 24, 2018

In general, housing markets are performing rather well across the country and locally. While some measures may show year-over-year declines at times, the truth of the matter is that showings are plentiful, buyers are eagerly searching for homes to purchase and good properties are exchanging hands whether or not the overall inventory situation is less than favorable or mortgage rates go up a quarter percent.

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

• New Listings decreased 1.9% to 1,586
• Pending Sales decreased 12.4% to 1,197
• Inventory decreased 23.2% to 8,290

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.7% to $250,000
• Days on Market decreased 15.9% to 69
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.6% to 98.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 15.8% to 1.6

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending March 17, 2018

The Federal Reserve raised its key short-term interest rate from 1.50 to 1.75 percent, citing inflation concerns in an improved economy with rising wages and low unemployment. Borrowing money will be more expensive, particularly for home equity loans, credit cards and adjustable rate mortgages. Although it is the Fed’s sixth rate increase since December 2015, rates remain historically low. Home buyers should be aware that at least two more rate increases are expected this year.

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

• New Listings decreased 10.7% to 1,562
• Pending Sales decreased 9.2% to 1,188
• Inventory decreased 23.2% to 8,123

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.7% to $250,000
• Days on Market decreased 15.9% to 69
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.6% to 98.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 15.8% to 1.6

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending March 10, 2018

There is not much new to report this week compared to last week or the week before, but that is more good news than bad news at this juncture of the year. It’s true that more homes listed for sale would be welcome for a housing market ready for an influx of options. At the same time, there is ample evidence of buyers making the most of what is present on the market now. Contracts are being signed, and the prices being paid continue to prove demand.

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

• New Listings decreased 20.3% to 1,419
• Pending Sales decreased 9.5% to 1,069
• Inventory decreased 21.7% to 8,006

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.7% to $250,000
• Days on Market decreased 15.9% to 69
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.6% to 98.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 21.1% to 1.5

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending March 3, 2018

We are still not seeing a big surge in new listings or sales as we make our way into the springtime months. Housing activity around the country is generally lagging compared to last year at this time. Lower affordability due to higher mortgage rates and increasing prices could be the culprit for a slower start in 2018. It could also be that some locales have had unseasonably cold weather, holding some people back from listing or buying. Let’s look at how the local market is doing.

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

• New Listings decreased 11.1% to 1,569
• Pending Sales decreased 19.5% to 1,004
• Inventory decreased 21.9% to 7,757

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 9.7% to $244,000
• Days on Market decreased 13.8% to 69
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.0% to 96.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 22.2% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending February 24, 2018

We are in a bit of a residential real estate holding pattern thus far in 2018. While some regions have witnessed a welcome increase in pending sales, declines in metrics such as closed sales, new listings and inventory in national year-over-year comparisons are more common, and it may take until late summer or early fall to see evidence of a predicted increase in inventory. In the mean time, buyer interest has remained strong despite the usual supply challenge.

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

• New Listings decreased 8.0% to 1,262
• Pending Sales decreased 8.6% to 968
• Inventory decreased 22.8% to 7,618

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 9.7% to $244,000
• Days on Market decreased 13.8% to 69
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.0% to 96.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 22.2% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending February 17, 2018

The trends from the last several weeks and, honestly, the last several months remain in place in much of the country as well as locally. The market is trying to sustain a healthy number of listings to keep pace with a consumer base that is clearly in a buying mood. There is real evidence of increased showing activity and anecdotal evidence from busy real estate professionals that we are setting up for another busy year in residential real estate.

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

• New Listings decreased 6.1% to 1,277
• Pending Sales decreased 14.9% to 887
• Inventory decreased 23.8% to 7,420

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 9.4% to $243,500
• Days on Market decreased 13.8% to 69
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.0% to 96.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 22.2% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending February 10, 2018

The market needs an increase in new listings in order to build inventory. It is something that has been needed for some time, and there has been positive movement in that regard in desirable submarkets. But it has not been consistent from week to week in year-over-year comparisons. Another way to boost inventory is to have fewer sales, but nobody wants to see that become an ongoing trend.

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

• New Listings increased 0.7% to 1,364
• Pending Sales decreased 6.9% to 853
• Inventory decreased 25.5% to 7,139

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 9.2% to $243,000
• Days on Market decreased 13.8% to 69
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.0% to 96.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 22.2% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending February 3, 2018

As we get beyond the newness of the year and into the idea that 2018 is here and now, there is plenty of excitement about the promise presented within strong economic conditions and an active real estate market. Buyers are taking fresh listings that show well off the market in short order, and it is evident that the lack of inventory is driving prices up and market time down.

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

• New Listings decreased 24.2% to 1,000
• Pending Sales decreased 19.3% to 767
• Inventory decreased 25.0% to 7,062

For the month of December:

• Median Sales Price increased 9.7% to $248,000
• Days on Market decreased 15.3% to 61
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.3% to 97.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 26.3% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending January 27, 2018

It is common for there to be a lift in residential real estate activity at the beginning of each calendar year, as consumers steel their collective resolve to do what they deem is next toward achieving their goals. It is the housing industry’s equivalent to resolving to eat better, go to the gym more, quit smoking, etc. Except in 2018 so far, we are not yet seeing that extra bump in activity. For the most part, the trends have been blind to calendar dynamics.

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

• New Listings decreased 13.2% to 881
• Pending Sales decreased 11.1% to 722
• Inventory decreased 25.3% to 7,080

For the month of December:

• Median Sales Price increased 9.7% to $248,000
• Days on Market decreased 15.3% to 61
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.3% to 97.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 26.3% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.