Amidst frantic shopping for all the things between turkey and toys, the economy has made a surprising statement, offering big gains over the last six months not seen since mid-2003. As we head into the final stretch of the fourth quarter, mortgage rates remain fairly stable, with the 30-year fixed rate mortgage still hovering below 4 percent.

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

• New Listings decreased 3.5% to 862
• Pending Sales decreased 2.7% to 802
• Inventory increased 1.6% to 16,122

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.7% to $208,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.0% to 72
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.6% to 95.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 13.5% to 4.2

All comparisons are to 2013

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

Consumers are already starting to lean toward 2015, so let’s look ahead ourselves before we hit the weekly tabulations. With virtually no inflation to speak of, interest rates should remain low for the foreseeable future but could flirt with 5.0 percent toward the end of next year. Both new and existing inventory levels should rise – which is more of a continuation than a new development for many communities. Prices are also expected to increase but not by much, which should help first-time buyers. Job growth is likely to continue, and wage growth is expected to pick up.

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

• New Listings decreased 14.5% to 857
• Pending Sales decreased 1.6% to 749
• Inventory increased 3.5% to 16,692

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.7% to $208,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.0% to 72
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.6% to 95.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 13.5% to 4.2

All comparisons are to 2013

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

As fall finally goes dim, winter emerges as the prevailing wind through the marketplace. While optimism serves as a white rose through this phase, moderate unemployment rates have given pause to overabundant optimism. All the same, the desire for homeownership remains high among those willing to absorb some risk while attracting enthusiasm.

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

• New Listings decreased 2.8% to 1,104
• Pending Sales increased 2.0% to 826
• Inventory increased 4.1% to 16,972

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.7% to $208,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.0% to 72
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.6% to 95.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 13.5% to 4.2

All comparisons are to 2013

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

As many markets begin to prepare for colder weather or festive family gatherings, a familiar seasonal slowing will begin to creep into the weekly numbers. Yet housing activity can be expected to float along at a seasonally healthy pace like a fallen leaf on a lazy river. With no big, negative economic news on the horizon, reliable sales, price and inventory figures, though not flashy, are quite welcome.

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

• New Listings decreased 9.2% to 1,076
• Pending Sales decreased 6.2% to 940
• Inventory increased 5.7% to 17,760

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.2% to $209,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.0% to 72
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.6% to 95.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 10.8% to 4.1

All comparisons are to 2013

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

In the buildup of anticipation for the season of pumpkin carving, caramel apple eating and haunted house touring, it came out that one number was spookily down. Homeownership is at its lowest point in 20 years and has been steadily dropping since the housing bubble years from 2004 to 2006. Interestingly, we are now at levels consistent with a healthy market. Also, rising rents should eventually give cause to more households seeking ownership positions. So-called bad news is good, especially in the dark days surrounding Halloween.

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

• New Listings increased 4.5% to 1,267
• Pending Sales decreased 10.4% to 861
• Inventory increased 5.5% to 17,894

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $205,000
• Days on Market remained flat at 71
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.9% to 95.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 18.4% to 4.5

All comparisons are to 2013

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

Rising home prices and continued housing stability continue to lure new listings
and keep inventory at a comfortable level. Although things like student debt and
lethargic wage growth may provide some obstacles for first-time home buyers,
those on the hunt for homes are still graced by relatively low inflation and low
mortgage rates. The seasonal slows may settle in soon, but the market remains
mostly content.

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

• New Listings increased 1.6% to 1,310
• Pending Sales increased 5.1% to 912
• Inventory increased 6.1% to 18,094

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $204,999
• Days on Market remained flat at 71
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.9% to 95.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 18.4% to 4.5

All comparisons are to 2013

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

As we turn toward the final and typically quietest quarter of the year, it is easy to wonder if we are destined to lose the stability that we have worked hard for throughout the U.S. However, gloomy considerations are readily put aside after considering a recent investigation by the International Monetary Fund into the real estate markets of other countries. It turns out that our national housing price-to- income ratio is fairly conservative. At this rate, we will soon stop talking about the process of housing recovery and just call it recovered.

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

• New Listings decreased 6.6% to 1,423
• Pending Sales increased 6.8% to 955
• Inventory increased 7.5% to 18,178

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $205,000
• Days on Market remained flat at 71
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.9% to 95.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 15.8% to 4.4

All comparisons are to 2013

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

Every story needs a hero, and housing’s current starlet is (drum roll, please) inventory. More markets continue to see increases in homes for sale, giving buyers more options and keeping prices from trying to overshadow the popularity of inventory with unsustainable stardom. As autumnal extracurriculars pick up and department store decorations trend towards the mustard palate, sales may drop off some, but the subplots of normalization and stabilization should remain popular with year-over-year inventory increases in the leading role.

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

• New Listings decreased 3.8% to 1,477
• Pending Sales increased 1.7% to 1,063
• Inventory increased 10.9% to 18,696

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $205,000
• Days on Market remained flat at 71
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.9% to 95.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 15.8% to 4.4

All comparisons are to 2013

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

With the exciting sales pace of summer behind us, and focus now shifting inward toward family, school and other interests for many Americans, the numbers will start to dip in most markets. Seasonal shifts can be a drag, but it can also mean opportunity. Bargain hunters, first-time buyers, empty nesters, investors and younger buyers with no school-aged children are among the crowd that are not necessarily framed by the summer months. New construction is inching upwards, and the national unemployment rate dropped below 6.0 to 5.9 for the first time since 2008, so there’s still plenty of rosy attitude in a balanced market.

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

• New Listings decreased 1.3% to 1,431
• Pending Sales decreased 14.5% to 945
• Inventory increased 10.0% to 18,753

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.3% to $219,000
• Days on Market decreased 2.9% to 68
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.7% to 96.3%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 18.4% to 4.5

All comparisons are to 2013

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

The season of crisp leaves, autumn colors and, yes, pumpkin spice lattes is upon us. Just in time for the fall equinox, mortgage applications have risen according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Though the season will likely slow things considerably in some areas, it seems that buyers are not quite ready to succumb to the cinnamon haze that is fall just yet.

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

• New Listings increased 10.3% to 1,621
• Pending Sales decreased 5.0% to 930
• Inventory increased 9.4% to 18,644

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.3% to $219,000
• Days on Market decreased 2.9% to 68
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.7% to 96.3%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 18.4% to 4.5

All comparisons are to 2013

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