With 2012 in the books, we’re starting to see some 2013 activity trickle in. Watch for continuations of last year’s trends: less inventory, strong buyer activity and firmer prices. It’s hard to believe spring is just around the corner, but would-be spring sellers are noticing the changes that have taken place. It’s a much less scary time to sell a home. Foreclosure activity will also be a key metric to watch. For the current cycle, here’s what the data shows.

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

• New Listings decreased 34.6% to 832
• Pending Sales increased 12.7% to 594
• Inventory decreased 31.1% to 12,000

For the month of December:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.2% to $168,452
• Days on Market decreased 23.4% to 108
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.5% to 93.8%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 42.0% to 2.9

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

The results are mostly in, and the evidence is overwhelming. Housing not only outperformed most other sectors of the economy, but for the first time in half a decade, there was meaningful market recovery in 2012. For 2013, a few things seem likely. Expect interest rates to remain low and rents to rise, which will continue to drive buyer activity. Sellers should return to the marketplace in light of the improvements. Prices should remain firm and show moderate to strong gains. Foreclosure activity and job growth remain wildcards, but momentum is heading in the right direction.

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

• New Listings decreased 40.1% to 358
• Pending Sales decreased 12.6% to 442
• Inventory decreased 30.0% to 12,916

For the month of November:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.4% to $172,200
• Days on Market decreased 26.5% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 94.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.6% to 3.5

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

While you’re eating better and exercising more, also resolve to better understand the inner workings of your housing market. Data does not have to be daunting. Just from the existing trends, it’s safe to expect to see more homes selling in less time for closer to list price. It also looks like the single-family detached segment may recover faster than the condo-townhouse attached segment. It would be wise to watch foreclosure activity to see whether there will be fewer low-priced sales in 2013. Many patterns emerge if you look in the right places.

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

• New Listings increased 9.5% to 657
• Pending Sales increased 41.7% to 815
• Inventory decreased 29.2% to 13,315

For the month of November:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.4% to $172,287
• Days on Market decreased 26.5% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 94.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.8% to 3.5

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

As we celebrate with family and friends this holiday season, we can take comfort in the fact that housing markets across the country are reaching their own holiday milestones. Even though the trend is our friend, recovery can often feel piecemeal: fewer foreclosures here, improved absorption rates there and lower days on market over there. But, overall, we’ve struck a positive stride, and momentum has a way of accumulating. Here’s a peek at the week’s housing market data.

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

• New Listings decreased 3.6% to 773
• Pending Sales increased 10.1% to 762
• Inventory decreased 28.9% to 13,630

For the month of November:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.2% to $172,000
• Days on Market decreased 26.4% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 94.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 39.5% to 3.4

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

The chase to 2013 is on, and we are pleased by the prospects ahead. Given the upward progress of the 2012 housing market, many homeowners may find that their properties will be worth more next year. That’s a nice change of pace for potential sellers, and for residential real estate as a whole, and is a direct result of widespread improvements in the marketplace. Most of the positive trends we have seen in 2012 should persist into the new year. Let’s take a peek at what’s happening locally today.

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

• New Listings increased 3.0% to 942
• Pending Sales increased 12.6% to 788
• Inventory decreased 28.8% to 13,832

For the month of November:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.2% to $172,000
• Days on Market decreased 26.2% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 94.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 40.0% to 3.4

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

This year has brought sustained turnaround in a variety of areas and market segments. It’s why many in the housing industry are optimistic about 2013. Attractive mortgage rates, affordable inventory and a healing jobs picture give reason to believe that year-over-year improvements will continue into and after the traditional holiday slowdown.

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

• New Listings increased 0.7% to 1,019
• Pending Sales increased 18.6% to 977
• Inventory decreased 29.0% to 14,260

For the month of November:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.9% to $173,000
• Days on Market decreased 25.9% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.7% to 94.3%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 40.6% to 3.4

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

Home buyers entered more contracts and homeowners listed more properties than during the same week of 2011. As a whole, 2012 is shaping up to be quite the pivotal year for housing. With 2013 right around the corner, the smart money is monitoring seller concessions, market times, absorption rates and, of course, home prices. The genius money is watching foreclosure listing and sales volumes, delinquency rates and showing activity.

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

• New Listings increased 0.7% to 607
• Pending Sales increased 12.8% to 608
• Inventory decreased 28.8% to 14,546

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.8% to $175,000
• Days on Market decreased 25.2% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.5% to 94.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 39.6% to 3.8

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

This year, there’s a lot to be thankful for beyond the traditional holiday bird. Home buyers can be thankful for record-low mortgage rates. Sellers can be thankful for the possibility of getting more money in less listing time. Some homeowners are thankful for the housing recovery because it may alleviate underwater situations.

Tryptophan doesn’t seem to be slowing buyer and seller optimism.

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

• New Listings increased 11.4% to 1,046
• Pending Sales increased 9.8% to 843
• Inventory decreased 29.4% to 14,770

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.8% to $175,000
• Days on Market decreased 25.2% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.5% to 94.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 40.1% to 3.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

Housing continues to be a bright spot in the national economy. Locally, we enjoyed more sales and additional seller activity. As prices firm up, some sellers will be lifted out of unenviable positions while others will receive a confidence booster. That’s a good thing, since buyers at some price points are struggling to find inventory. Additional evidence of turnaround will come by way of days on market, the average ratio of sold to list price and absorption rates generally under five months.

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

• New Listings decreased 9.0% to 1,015
• Pending Sales increased 11.3% to 883
• Inventory decreased 29.1% to 15,007

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.8% to $175,000
• Days on Market decreased 25.3% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.5% to 94.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 40.5% to 3.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

1.3 million. That’s how many Americans were reportedly lifted out of underwater mortgage situations this year from rising home prices, according to the Obama administration’s October Housing Scorecard. There’s more going on than meets the eye here. Rising prices also help restore tax base, decreasing the likelihood of tax increases later. National GDP even benefits. When real estate is chugging along, things are good. And now, arguably more so than ever in the past four or
five years, real estate is starting to chug again. It’s not at full speed yet, but the open track ahead beckons.

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

• New Listings decreased 1.0% to 1,125
• Pending Sales increased 25.3% to 930
• Inventory decreased 27.7% to 15,434

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.8% to $174,995
• Days on Market decreased 25.0% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.5% to 94.4%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 41.0% to 3.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.