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Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending December 14, 2019

This week the Federal Reserve, in its final meeting of the year, voted to leave its key benchmark rate unchanged, which was widely expected. The Fed also suggested that rate changes are unlikely in the coming months. While the rate decisions by the Federal Reserve do not directly affect mortgage rates, Federal Reserve policy does affect the economic markets overall. While mortgage rates have trended up slightly in recent weeks, they remain nearly one percent lower than a year ago. Fed Chair Jerome Powell was upbeat on the economy going forward: “with a strong household sector and supportive monetary and financial conditions, we expect moderate growth to continue.”

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

  • New Listings decreased 4.1% to 696
  • Pending Sales decreased 0.5% to 744
  • Inventory decreased 10.0% to 9,399

For the month of November:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.6% to $279,900
  • Days on Market decreased 1.9% to 51
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.2% to 97.5%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 9.1% to 2.0

All comparisons are to 2018
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

November a mixed bag; new listings up, sales down

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December 18, 2019

The Twin Cities real estate market showed a mostly positive but slightly mixed bag of results for November. New listings were up 0.1 percent year-to-date but down slightly in November. Helping to offset that decline was a 25.0 percent gain in newly built homes from last November. That’s because a builder doesn’t have to buy a home after selling one. Despite a sellers’ market and depending on price point, sellers still face the challenge of securing the next property while listing their current home.

Closed sales were also down slightly in November, but year-to-date closings are almost even with 2018. Sales have risen for the previous four consecutive months. Additionally, pending sales—a signed contract indicating a forthcoming closing—have now risen for five consecutive months, including November. This points to solid demand heading into the new year. Despite tight inventory, surprisingly low borrowing rates are helping to support this demand.

The number of homes for sale declined overall, but most price ranges have shown some growth this year. Over the last 12 months, housing inventory levels have increased for homes priced between $200K-$300K, $300K-$500K and over $500K but fell for homes under $200K. That first-time buyer segment still hasn’t seen supply growth.

The median home price in the Twin Cities has risen for 93 months or nearly 8 years, reaching new record highs every year since 2016. This isn’t the case for every market segment or area. The supply-demand imbalance pushes prices higher along with a changing mix of homes selling. There’s been growth in luxury activity and in square footage.

Market times remain brisk and near record lows, but there were a few monthly increases in 2019. Homes priced under $250K sold in a median of 25 days, while that figure was 91 days for homes over $1M.

November 2019 by the Numbers (compared to a year ago)

• Sellers listed 3,970 properties on the market, a 1.3 percent decrease from last November
• Buyers closed on 4,672 homes, a 0.8 percent decrease
• Inventory levels decreased 9.2 percent from last November to 10,011 units
• Months Supply of Inventory was down 9.1 percent to 2.0 months
• The Median Sales Price rose 5.6 percent to $279,900
• Cumulative Days on Market declined 1.9 percent to 51 days, on average (median of 29)
• Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment

o Single family sales rose 2.1 percent; condo sales decreased 10.7 percent; townhome sales fell 4.9 percent
o Traditional sales increased 0.7 percent; foreclosure sales dropped 34.7 percent; short sales were flat
o Previously owned sales were flat; new construction sales climbed 5.3 percent

Quotables

“We’re on solid footing heading into year-end,” said Todd Urbanski, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “More inventory would be nice, but rates are fantastic, the economy is still growing and consumers are confident.”

“National news headlines have little to do with our local market,” said Linda Rogers, President-Elect of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “Our state and local economies are hardy and diversified, good news for home buyers.”
From The Skinny Blog.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending December 7, 2019

Both conforming Conventional loan and FHA loan limits are increasing starting January 1, 2020 in an effort to trend higher with increasing home prices. These new higher limits will expand the pool of buyers able to take advantage of the most common financing options for primary residences. Additionally, the VA has announced that due to the Blue Water Navy Veterans Act of 2019, VA loans will no longer have fixed limits starting January 1, 2020, which should raise the number of active duty military and veterans that can take advantage of this great program. Of course in all cases, the borrower must still qualify for the loan amounts they are seeking, regardless of the caps.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 7:

  • New Listings increased 9.6% to 867
  • Pending Sales increased 19.2% to 905
  • Inventory decreased 8.8% to 9,822

For the month of November:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.6% to $279,900
  • Days on Market decreased 1.9% to 51
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.2% to 97.5%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 9.1% to 2.0

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending November 30, 2019

Americans across the country sat down to Thanksgiving with friends and family this week. Real estate activity took a backseat to the preparation of meals and the hosting of guests, where securing second helpings were more important than securing second homes. As we enter the final weeks of 2019, there is strength and optimism in the housing market, but at a pace that is muted due to the holiday season. The relatively low levels of inventory coupled with continued strong buyer activity are the common refrains across much of the country.

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

  • New Listings decreased 43.6% to 501
  • Pending Sales decreased 26.3% to 702
  • Inventory decreased 6.6% to 10,461

For the month of October:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.7% to $280,000
  • Days on Market decreased 4.2% to 46
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.2% to 98.1%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 4.0% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending November 23, 2019

Residential new construction activity continues to rise nationally. The U.S. Commerce Department reports that new housing permits rose 5% in October to a new 12-year high of 1.46 million units. Lawrence Yun, the National Association of REALTORS® chief economist, called the latest figures “tremendously good news for the housing sector.” With builder sentiment and buyer activity remaining strong, it is widely expected that new construction will continue to remain brisk in the coming months.

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

  • New Listings increased 74.1% to 928
  • Pending Sales increased 39.8% to 966
  • Inventory decreased 6.6% to 10,724

For the month of October:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.7% to $280,000
  • Days on Market decreased 4.2% to 46
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.1%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 4.0% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending November 16, 2019

In the Federal Housing Administration’s 2019 Annual Report to Congress, the FHA announced their Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund Capital Ratio stood at 4.84%, up from 2.76% last year and well above the 2% minimum required by Congress. This has prompted the National Association of REALTORS® to advocate for a reduction in FHA insurance premiums and eliminating the life-of-loan mortgage insurance requirement. While the FHA has not committed to any changes at this time, there is optimism for change in the future as the reserves continue to increase. With FHA loan market share at 11.4% in the 2019 report, any reduction in mortgage insurance costs would positively affect a large number of future borrowers.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 16:

  • New Listings increased 6.2% to 1,028
  • Pending Sales increased 6.3% to 999
  • Inventory decreased 6.1% to 11,147

For the month of October:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.7% to $280,000
  • Days on Market decreased 4.2% to 46
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.1%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 4.0% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Listings, Sales, Prices: All Rise

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November 19, 2019

The Twin Cities real estate market started the fourth quarter of 2019 on a strong note with buyer and seller activity rising in October compared to 2018. Buoyed by historically low interest rates, the number of new listings and pending sales rose last month and the median price of a home also increased.

New listings increased by 3.8 percent last month to nearly 6,300 properties on the market. Pending home sales increased 4.9 percent in October, continuing their steady rise since mortgage rates dipped below 4.0 percent in June. The increase also puts the number of pending sales in positive territory for the year. Continuing the market’s upward trend, the median price of a home in the Twin Cities rose to $280,000 in October, a 5.7 percent increase over last year.

October reversed a trend of rising days on market and continued September’s reversal of sellers accepting a slightly lower share of their list price compared to last year. With increased sales activity, quicker market times and sellers yielding strong offers, it’s no wonder more sellers decided to list. There are still some signs that the market is rebalancing, but buyers awaiting spooky news could see their patience tested based on October numbers.

While inventory has grown this year, supply remains tight for first-time buyers and downsizing households competing for homes under $350,000. At this price point, multiple offers and homes selling for over list price in record time is still common. Builders struggle to replenish inventory due to high costs, a labor shortage and regulatory constraints. The shortage of affordable homes has prompted many owners to stay put. With 2.3 months of supply, the Twin Cities market is still significantly undersupplied.

October 2019 by the Numbers (compared to a year ago)

  • Sellers listed 6,258 properties on the market, a 3.8 percent increase from last October
  • Buyers closed on 5,391 homes, a 1.3 percent increase
  • Inventory levels decreased 5.8 percent from last October to 11,607 units
  • Months Supply of Inventory was down 8.0 percent to 3 months
  • The Median Sales Price rose 5.7 percent to $280,000
  • Cumulative Days on Market declined 4.2 percent to 46 days, on average (median of 25)
  • Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment
    • Single family sales rose 5.5 percent; condo sales increased 1.4 percent; townhome sales fell 0.5 percent
    • Traditional sales increased 4.8 percent; foreclosure sales dropped 21.1 percent; short sales fell 55.6 percent
    • Previously owned sales were up 4.4 percent; new construction sales climbed 2.6 percent

Quotables

“Interest rates are boosting buyer confidence,” said Todd Urbanski, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “Consumers may also be realizing that some of their fears around the market and economy could be overstated.”

“The latest figures show our key metrics returning to growth,” said Linda Rogers, President-Elect of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “We expect Minnesota and the Midwest to fare well should that change.”
From The Skinny Blog.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending November 9, 2019

With the stock market reaching record highs, continued low unemployment, and low mortgage rates, many signs in the US economy remain strong. However, total household debt has been rising for twenty-one consecutive quarters and is now $1.3 trillion higher than the previous peak of $12.68 trillion in 2008. While delinquency rates remain low across most debt types, including mortgages, higher consumer debt loads can limit future household spending capability and increase risk if the economy slows down.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 9:

  • New Listings increased 6.3% to 1,094
  • Pending Sales increased 1.6% to 992
  • Inventory decreased 5.9% to 11,463

For the month of October:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.7% to $280,000
  • Days on Market decreased 4.2% to 46
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.1%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 4.0% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Mortgage Rates Tick Up

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November 14, 2019
The modest uptick in mortgage rates over the last two months reflects declining recession fears and a more sanguine outlook for the global economy. Due to the improved economic outlook, purchase mortgage applications rose fifteen percent over the same week a year ago, the second highest weekly increase in the last two years. Given the important role residential real estate plays in the economy, the steady improvement of the housing market is a reassuring sign that the economy is on solid ground heading into next year.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.