For Week Ending May 6, 2017

As we get closer to summer, more houses are put up for sale, as tends to happen around this time each year. Yet it’s not as many homes for sale as 2016, and last year did not have as much available to buy as in 2015. The downward trend continues, which can have an affect on total sales. Homes listed when move-in ready and priced well are being snapped up quickly. In fact, despite lower inventory, many REALTORS® report that they are busier than last year and closing plenty of sales.

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

• New Listings increased 5.7% to 2,341
• Pending Sales decreased 4.4% to 1,507
• Inventory decreased 18.9% to 11,012

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.5% to $246,000
• Days on Market decreased 20.5% to 58
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.2% to 99.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 21.4% to 2.2

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending April 29, 2017

Much of the news surrounding the housing market is about climbing prices and continued decreases in inventory on a year-over-year basis. Although prices have been rising steadily, we are only now beginning to reach pre-recession price levels on a national basis, and that’s not the rule for all homes and communities. If demand stays strong, unemployment rates continue to dwindle and wages keep consumer confidence high, the market should remain active and interesting.

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

• New Listings increased 0.1% to 1,873
• Pending Sales decreased 9.6% to 1,443
• Inventory decreased 19.8% to 10,901

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.9% to $237,400
• Days on Market decreased 15.3% to 72
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.3% to 98.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 19.2% to 2.1

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending April 22, 2017

It is a lucrative time to sell a home, and it would appear that it will remain that way for the time being. Houses that show well and are priced correctly have been selling quickly, often at higher prices than asking. Thus far, buyers are proving to be resilient in 2017, keeping the home-purchasing momentum up even amidst the mounting competition that comes with the annual spring market.

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

• New Listings increased 4.7% to 2,037
• Pending Sales decreased 9.8% to 1,409
• Inventory decreased 21.5% to 10,625

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.9% to $237,400
• Days on Market decreased 15.3% to 72
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.3% to 98.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 19.2% to 2.1

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending April 15, 2017

In light of the low inventory and affordability situation this year, it was a good surprise to see existing home sales hit a national 10-year high. It isn’t a surprise, however, to see multiple offers on a home within a few days of being on the market. Buyer demand is high and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, so it was also welcome news that builder confidence and housing starts were up as well.

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

• New Listings decreased 17.8% to 1,612
• Pending Sales decreased 6.7% to 1,374
• Inventory decreased 20.1% to 10,574

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.0% to $237,500
• Days on Market decreased 14.1% to 73
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.3% to 98.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 19.2% to 2.1

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending April 8, 2017

With both inventory and months of supply struggling to keep up with demand, it will not be unusual to see some weeks where pending sales post a year-over-year decline, especially if new listings droop below the standards set during the prior year. Meanwhile, we can continue to expect to see sales prices forge their way upward and affordability shrink downward in what is expected to be a pleasant spring and summer for sellers.

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

• New Listings increased 1.4% to 2,013
• Pending Sales decreased 9.1% to 1,337
• Inventory decreased 21.7% to 10,188

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.0% to $237,500
• Days on Market decreased 14.1% to 73
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.3% to 98.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 19.2% to 2.1

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending April 1, 2017

Confidence in buying a home has fallen according to the Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index after hitting an all-time index high in February. Continuing price increases and low inventory are easy answers for why the index fell. The good news is that an improved employment outlook and higher wages are major factors toward purchasing a home, and demand is not expected to abate.

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

• New Listings decreased 3.9% to 1,874
• Pending Sales decreased 5.2% to 1,303
• Inventory decreased 21.7% to 10,003

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.7% to $223,250
• Days on Market decreased 14.6% to 82
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.4% to 96.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 28.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending March 25, 2017

During the first quarter of 2017, housing affordability has clearly become an issue for some buyers, as prices continue to rise amidst strong demand. Even so, pending sales figures have generally remained positive across the nation. A better balance between high-price inventory and starter homes being sold would be the most beneficial situation for the marketplace.

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

• New Listings increased 6.3% to 1,584
• Pending Sales decreased 4.9% to 1,292
• Inventory decreased 23.0% to 9,874

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.6% to $223,000
• Days on Market decreased 14.6% to 82
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.4% to 96.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 28.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending March 18, 2017

The number of existing home sales was down last month, indicating that there is still a large divide between supply and demand. However, we need to keep in mind that the value of the housing market is the highest it has been in years. Confidence and household incomes are increasing, which are indicators of future home buying, which should lead to a continued strong market.

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

• New Listings decreased 2.2% to 1,728
• Pending Sales decreased 2.7% to 1,247
• Inventory decreased 23.7% to 9,633

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.8% to $223,500
• Days on Market decreased 14.6% to 82
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.4% to 96.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 28.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending March 11, 2017

In the last three months, the Federal Reserve has now twice increased its benchmark interest rate a quarter point. The good news is that this was an expected move due to strong confidence in the economy. Mortgage rates will likely increase as well. That said, homes are still selling quickly, and there is little indication that the trend will slow down in the spring and summer months.

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

• New Listings decreased 3.3% to 1,740
• Pending Sales decreased 11.1% to 1,102
• Inventory decreased 24.8% to 9,290

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.7% to $223,250
• Days on Market decreased 14.6% to 82
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.4% to 96.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 28.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending March 4, 2017

Tight inventory, lower affordability and higher mortgage rates continue to dominate residential real estate news, but a declining unemployment rate offers a bright spot. Employment in the construction industry had some of the largest gains. It would be great to see this increase translate into an impact on the construction of new homes for sale.

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

• New Listings decreased 11.9% to 1,727
• Pending Sales increased 0.3% to 1,155
• Inventory decreased 23.4% to 9,042

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.6% to $223,000
• Days on Market decreased 14.6% to 82
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.4% to 96.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 28.0% to 1.8

All comparisons are to 2016

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