Interest rates are on the rise, but further increases should be incremental and gradual without harming housing demand. All the same, some buyers might feel an extra pinch to act soon if economic and jobs data continues on a path of improvement. Ultra-low rates will not remain the rule of the day if the economy gives the Fed no reason to maintain its quantitative easing (money printing) stimulus policies.

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

• New Listings increased 23.6% to 1,713
• Pending Sales increased 22.8% to 1,180
• Inventory decreased 23.1% to 14,349

For the month of May:

• Median Sales Price increased 15.1% to $194,450
• Days on Market decreased 29.8% to 87
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 97.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 30.6% to 3.4

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

Although buyers are still in the market for higher inventory levels, sellers remain happy with their multiple-offer situations and short days on the market. As the product mix shifts away from distressed properties and towards traditional sellers, the U.S. housing market finds itself in a place it hasn’t been in a while – healthfully competitive. Pocket listings and shadow inventory provide something for the media to talk about, but for now, the market seems strong enough to hold up to any casual cannon fodder aimed its way.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 25:

• New Listings increased 29.8% to 1,799
• Pending Sales increased 18.8% to 1,382
• Inventory decreased 24.6% to 14,169

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.0% to $182,000
• Days on Market decreased 28.1% to 97
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.8% to 96.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 36.0% to 3.2

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

Monitoring weekly data can feel like watching grass grow, especially during a busy sales environment. Most housing markets are at or near their seasonal activity apexes, so it can be difficult to remain interested in statistical lawn care. But paired with a broad perspective and overarching trends, weekly housing numbers can sharpen the keen observer’s competitive edge. As you look through this week’s most current real estate activity, keep an eye open for signs of job growth, changing interest rates and relevant policy initiatives.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 18:

• New Listings increased 20.9% to 1,855
• Pending Sales increased 24.1% to 1,313
• Inventory decreased 25.9% to 13,866

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.0% to $182,000
• Days on Market decreased 28.1% to 97
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.7% to 95.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 36.0% to 3.2

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

You’re busy – planes to catch, open homes to see and little league games to coach. But in less time than it takes to lint roll a favorite set of slacks, you can catch up on the most up-to-date and local housing market trends. Don’t clutter your brain with big data that has muddled together home sales from across the county. Get ahead of the curve by zeroing in on your region’s market and nothing else. Read on for the good stuff.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 11:

• New Listings increased 25.1% to 1,858
• Pending Sales increased 16.2% to 1,305
• Inventory decreased 27.5% to 13,556

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.0% to $182,000
• Days on Market decreased 28.1% to 97
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.7% to 95.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 36.0% to 3.2

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

Housing data also encompasses economics, politics, sociology, geography, labor markets and more. Even the largest transaction most people will ever make is susceptible to the same kinds of market forces that affect clothing choices at your favorite department store, the cost of your vacation, public transportation projects and where the next Starbucks is placed (or closed). Be watching the jobs numbers, fuel prices and election results. And keep using the best source of housing data around: your local MLS.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 4:

• New Listings increased 10.7% to 1,825
• Pending Sales increased 17.2% to 1,404
• Inventory decreased 28.0% to 13,361

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.0% to $182,000
• Days on Market decreased 28.1% to 97
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.7% to 95.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.0% to 3.1

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

Less supply, more demand and rising prices are being seen in residential markets across the nation. Although grumpy cats using national data sometimes grouse about the housing recovery’s fragility, housing trends have remained positive for well over a year now, and the road ahead looks bright with better lending standards in place. Ominous headlines may benefit advertisers and search engine optimization, but local consumers informed of local situations are in a better position to leverage the market.

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

• New Listings decreased 4.5% to 1,601
• Pending Sales increased 9.7% to 1,337
• Inventory decreased 28.4% to 13,258

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 17.8% to $176,575
• Days on Market decreased 24.3% to 109
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.1% to 95.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.0% to 3.1

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

Positive news about the housing market has permeated the headlines for several months now, and it’s not just a case of less supply and more demand. It’s also a function of product mix. When there is a transition from a 50 percent foreclosure market to a 25 percent foreclosure market, prices inevitably rise because there are fewer low-priced homes in the sales mix. Of course, this is not the case in all submarkets, so here’s what else is happening around town.

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

• New Listings decreased 2.0% to 1,605
• Pending Sales increased 6.1% to 1,186
• Inventory decreased 28.7% to 13,145

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 17.8% to $176,650
• Days on Market decreased 24.3% to 109
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.1% to 95.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.0% to 3.1

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

The unpredictable season of spring is here. Wily snowstorms, thunderous rain and summer-like heat waves strike across the U.S. It’s a good thing that we can count on at least one thing – a steadily improving housing market. Even the few naysayers left can’t ignore the cherry blossom blooms within the market metrics. So get out your umbrella, sunscreen and snow boots because, no matter the weather, we are watching a burgeoning market take form. With scarf, shorts and galoshes on, let’s wade into this week’s local housing stats.

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

• New Listings increased 22.6% to 1,731
• Pending Sales increased 17.1% to 1,158
• Inventory decreased 30.1% to 12,821

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 18.0% to $176,840
• Days on Market decreased 24.3% to 109
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.1% to 95.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.0% to 3.1

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

The housing market continues to assert itself, often changing the hearts and minds of housing bears, skeptical politicians, curmudgeonly economists and buyers and sellers alike. Over the past six to eighteen months, we’ve seen real estate stabilize, turn around and even start to recover. But it can sometimes feel like a moving target. With diminished inventory levels, cheap finance options, strong sales and rising prices, the prudent market participant will remain vigilant in monitoring his or her local real estate activity. That should be an easy task; start by simply turning the page!

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 30:

• New Listings decreased 12.1% to 1,349
• Pending Sales increased 12.0% to 1,210
• Inventory decreased 29.6% to 12,909

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 17.4% to $176,000
• Days on Market decreased 24.3% to 109
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.1% to 95.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 40.0% to 3.0

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

No one knows how accurate that February groundhog is, but by this time of year everyone is screaming of cabin fever. The spring market is in full swing, so keep your eyes on the prize and your mobile device in hand. Prepare yourself for seeing even more buyers buying, more sellers selling and lots of attention being given to the need for new inventory. Will you like what you see? Well, let’s take a look. Here’s the lowdown on your local market.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 23:

• New Listings increased 2.8% to 1,453
• Pending Sales increased 11.9% to 1,116
• Inventory decreased 29.8% to 12,779

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price increased 15.5% to $160,000
• Days on Market decreased 22.2% to 112
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.4% to 93.7%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.8% to 3.0

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