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.

For Week Ending February 25, 2017

As mortgage rates rise, median sales prices increase and stiff competition for low inventory continues, buyers are beginning to face some limitations with their housing options, especially for first-time buyers. That being said, for most weeks in 2017, sales have been higher in year-over-year comparisons with the same weeks in 2016.

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

• New Listings decreased 7.6% to 1,345
• Pending Sales decreased 6.7% to 980
• Inventory decreased 23.7% to 8,950

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 4.6% to $224,900
• Days on Market decreased 7.1% to 79
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.9% to 95.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 26.1% to 1.7

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending February 18, 2017

In much of the country, both new and existing home sales increased in January. At the same time, prices continue to rise in year-over-year comparisons, and the number of homes available for sale remains quite low. The low inventory situation and affordability crunch is particularly hard on first-time buyers, leaving some properties available for landlord buyers with more available funds for investment.

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

• New Listings decreased 6.5% to 1,334
• Pending Sales increased 11.1% to 989
• Inventory decreased 23.8% to 8,751

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 4.7% to $225,000
• Days on Market decreased 7.1% to 79
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.9% to 95.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 26.1% to 1.7

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending February 11, 2017

The total supply of homes for sale at this early juncture of 2017 coupled with the relative low affordability of those homes have made the market interesting to watch. The combination of broad personal financial situations is particularly pronounced among millennials celebrating their prime home-buying years. While some individuals may have a decent amount of money saved up for a home purchase, others have educational debt, lowering their maximum affordability price. Being aware of this situational variety will help both lenders and agents.

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

• New Listings decreased 5.2% to 1,338
• Pending Sales increased 1.1% to 859
• Inventory decreased 23.3% to 8,583

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 4.7% to $225,000
• Days on Market decreased 7.1% to 79
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.9% to 95.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 26.1% to 1.7

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending February 4, 2017

According to a recent Gallup poll, it is the first time in more than 15 years that a majority of Americans are optimistic about finding a quality job. This is great news for the entry-level housing market, as job growth and improved wages fuel demand for home purchases. Rents have also been on the rise, another factor that has put the entry-level market in strong demand.

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

• New Listings increased 3.3% to 1,282
• Pending Sales remained flat at 882
• Inventory decreased 24.0% to 8,399

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 4.7% to $225,000
• Days on Market decreased 7.1% to 79
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.9% to 95.9%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 26.1% to 1.7

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending January 28, 2017

While the winter months that lead us through the holiday season and to the end of December are typically a slower time for the housing market, the beginning of each new year tends to bring a renewed interest in moving or buying. The annual January resolution effect is in full swing so far in 2017. Prices are increasing, purchase agreements are being signed, and despite record inventory lows, demand remains strong.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending January 28:

• New Listings decreased 3.0% to 994
• Pending Sales decreased 9.5% to 777
• Inventory decreased 24.2% to 8,427

For the month of December:

• Median Sales Price increased 3.9% to $228,000
• Days on Market decreased 10.1% to 71
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.6% to 96.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 26.1% to 1.7

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending January 21, 2017

The number of existing homes sold in 2016 was 5.4 million, which exceeded the 5.25 million sold in the previous year and is now the highest in a decade. Declining inventory and affordability are both going to be closely surveyed this year, as a continuation of those trends could negatively impact sales. For now, prices are still running higher and days on market are still lower, both indicative of healthy demand.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending January 21:

• New Listings increased 12.8% to 1,025
• Pending Sales increased 4.0% to 730
• Inventory decreased 25.3% to 8,379

For the month of December:

• Median Sales Price increased 3.9% to $228,000
• Days on Market decreased 10.1% to 71
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.6% to 96.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 26.1% to 1.7

All comparisons are to 2016

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

For Week Ending January 14, 2017

In winter, it is not uncommon for housing starts to tail off, but 2016 closed on an uptick and became the best year for housing starts since 2007. Granted, multifamily homes have been driving the increase in recent years, while single-family starts and building permits are mildly down. Yet there is warranted optimism for new single- family home building in 2017.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending January 14:

• New Listings decreased 4.8% to 931
• Pending Sales decreased 7.0% to 622
• Inventory decreased 25.6% to 8,347

For the month of December:

• Median Sales Price increased 4.1% to $228,500
• Days on Market decreased 10.1% to 71
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.6% to 96.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 26.1% to 1.7

All comparisons are to 2016

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