The Skinny

Weekly Market Activity Report

Houses are just things. Boxes waiting to be filled. In the hands of caring, nurturing citizens, those simple boxes become homes that create memories and fortify communities for generations. This May, more than 13,000 REALTORS® rallied at the Washington Monument to preserve the American Dream of homeownership. Some components of the dream are being threatened by budget pressures and market realities. But homeownership is very much alive and well, as more than three out of five residencies are owner-occupied in the U.S. Moreover, buyer demand has been impressive throughout the year. As Franklin D. Roosevelt famously stated: "A nation of homeowners is unconquerable." Our response in 2012: Fill the box!

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 12:

• New Listings decreased 11.8% to 1,485
• Pending Sales increased 18.9% to 1,159
• Inventory decreased 28.3% to 17,761

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.1% to $162,500
• Days on Market decreased 15.1% to 135
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 93.4%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 42.4% to 4.7

Click Here to View Full Weekly Activity Report

May Monthly Skinny Video

Where has the Twin Cities real estate market been and where is it heading? This monthly summary provides an overview of current trends and projections for future activity. Narrated by Jennifer Cutter (2012 Treasurer, Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®), video produced by Chelsie Lopez.  | CLICK HERE to view in a separate window or just check the embedded clip below: 

Weekly Market Activity Report

If only there were a system of grand, colorful lights for tracking residential real estate. Green for rising market, yellow for a transitional market and red for declining market. Let's see if we can try to determine today's market without the ease of well-known signals. Prices are bottoming and starting to rise. Buyer activity is showing year-over-year gains. Homes are selling faster and closer to list price. Multiple offers are becoming commonplace. Inventory levels are leaning toward the seller. Green means go.

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

• New Listings decreased 6.6% to 1,643
• Pending Sales increased 41.9% to 1,232
• Inventory decreased 28.3% to 17,579

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.1% to $162,500
• Days on Market decreased 15.1% to 135
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 93.4%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 43.1% to 4.7

Click Here to View Full Weekly Activity Report

Hunting for Market Bottom? You May Have Missed It

The median sales price for the Twin Cities metro area for April 2012 was up 12.4 percent from last April to $163,000. That's the largest jump since January 2004. Since median sales price can be manipulated by the mix of homes that happen to close in a given month, whether condos, foreclosures or new construction, the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR) has developed a new home price index through its 10K Research and Marketing division that will account for that changing mix of homes selling as well as for seasonality. The 10K Home Price Index is now part of MAAR's Monthly Indicators, available at mplsrealtor.com.

"The index will provide a more accurate view of home value movement," said Cari Linn, President of the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®. "For example, traditional home sales now account for the majority of the market, which tends to drive up median and average prices since they tend to sell for more than foreclosure properties."

Indeed, traditional sales were up 58.8 percent, while foreclosures fell 8.1 percent and short sales increased 13.8 percent. Distressed homes made up 34.0 percent of all new listings and 39.3 percent of all pending sales, the smallest shares since July 2008 and August 2008, respectively. Traditional prices fell 2.2 percent to $198,500; foreclosure prices jumped 15.9 percent to $119,900; short sale prices fell 4.4 percent to $129,000. Traditional sales made up 57.1 percent of all closings and sold roughly 50.0 percent more than foreclosures and 20.0 percent more than metro-wide prices, generating the strong gain in overall median sales price.

The number of homes for sale has dropped for 15 consecutive months, down 29.2 percent from last year to 17,312 active listings – the lowest inventory reading for any month since January 2004. Months supply of inventory plunged 44.0 percent to 4.6 months – the lowest reading for any month since August 2005.

On average, homes sold in 135 days, down 14.9 percent from last April. Sellers received an average of 93.3 percent of their list price, up from 90.1 percent last April. Cash buyers made up 20.7 percent of all closed sales, down from 24.8 percent at this time in 2011.

"We're impressed with the accelerating improvements," said Andy Fazendin, MAAR President-Elect. "High-quality, move-in-ready inventory is limited. Those waiting for falling prices will likely be disappointed."

 

Weekly Market Activity Report

Buyers don't live in a spreadsheet. When they find a home to love and cherish, they don't intellectualize it too much. There are generally fewer homes on the market, they're selling more quickly and prices in most areas are no longer in a downtrend. Dwindling inventories means there's less competition and more pricing power for sellers, who are finally starting to be rewarded by strong buyer activity. Interest rates at 50-year lows doesn't hurt either. Love is in the air and all around the housing market.

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

• New Listings decreased 14.9% to 1,475
• Pending Sales increased 21.4% to 1,187
• Inventory decreased 28.0% to 17,603

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $149,900
• Days on Market decreased 9.7% to 144
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 37.2% to 4.8

Click Here to View Full Weekly Activity Report

Weekly Market Activity Report

There's that sound again. It's the media message you once heard on the TV and radio or read in newspapers and on the Internet in days seemingly long gone. Real estate stories are mostly being cast in a generous light. That's all well and good, but is now the time to list or buy? Answering that question still relies upon many specific, localized, determining factors, but we have reached a place where the process is generally more positive and enjoyable. That big American dream of homeownership is no longer haunted by night terrors.

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

• New Listings increased 13.9% to 1,677
• Pending Sales increased 41.2% to 1,281
• Inventory decreased 28.4% to 17,447

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $149,900
• Days on Market decreased 9.7% to 144
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 37.6% to 4.7

Click Here to View Full Weekly Activity Report

Weekly Market Activity Report

Job growth, low mortgage rates, rising rents and a relatively inexpensive housing stock. These are just some of the playful teases in the burlesque revue that is today's market recovery. Another week passed with buyers displaying no signs of slowing down. In general, sellers are discovering a less-intimidating scene, and buyers are reveling in the showy marketplace. As expected, spring's warming glow continues to fuel optimism and consumer activity. But that won't necessarily be the case in every area or segment, so do your research before making that move.

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

• New Listings decreased 9.5% to 1,637
• Pending Sales increased 25.5% to 1,170
• Inventory decreased 27.8% to 17,384

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $149,900
• Days on Market decreased 9.6% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.0% to 4.7

Click Here to View Full Weekly Activity Report

April Monthly Skinny Video

Where has the Twin Cities real estate market been and where is it heading? This monthly summary provides an overview of current trends and projections for future activity. Narrated by Cari Linn (2012 President, Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®), video produced by Chelsie Lopez.  | CLICK HERE to view in a separate window or just check the embedded clip below: 

 

Weekly Market Activity Report

Market sentiment can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Just as negative economic news sent a chill through the housing industry over the last several years, a newly confident consumer buying up excess inventory and further housing-related sundries helps stabilize and support home values. Some sellers are even starting to see rising prices. The numbers are beginning to reflect the fact that multiple offers on homes for sale are now more than anecdotal conversation between real estate professionals. For this week, new listings were down while purchase contracts were up compared to the same week in April 2011.

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

• New Listings decreased 19.0% to 1,411
• Pending Sales increased 15.5% to 1,036
• Inventory decreased 27.3% to 17,289

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $149,900
• Days on Market decreased 9.4% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.5% to 4.7

Click Here to View Full Weekly Activity Report

Home Prices Stabilize Amidst Other Improvements

March provided a critical data point on the road to recovery. For the first time since October 2010, the median sales price of Twin Cities homes was higher than a year ago. The 6.4 percent gain was the largest year-over-year median price increase since a tax-credit-driven April 2010. After accounting for the growing square footage of homes selling, price per square foot increased for the first time since June 2010.

Prices weren't the only metric to show improvement in March. Pending home sales were up 20.4 percent and are already higher than any month in 2007, 2008 or 2011. Months supply of inventory fell nearly 40.0 percent to 4.6 months – the lowest reading for any month since January 2006. Compared to the year prior, sellers are seeing a greater share of their asking price in less time as competition and oversaturation have both eased significantly.

A warm winter certainly helped boost buyer activity, but low interest rates, affordable prices and a sense of urgency caused by tightened inventories were also factors. The number of homes for sale continued to drop, down 27.5 percent from last year to 17,081 active listings – the lowest inventory reading for any month since January 2004.

Traditional sales surged 33.2 percent, while foreclosures slid 13.2 percent and short sales increased 5.0 percent. Distressed homes made up 34.6 percent of all new listings and 43.7 percent of all pending sales, the smallest shares since July 2008 and April 2010, respectively.

The overall median sales price was up 6.4 percent to $149,000. That reflects a shifting market share in terms of sales volumes and not price gains in the traditional, foreclosure and short sale segments. In fact, traditional prices fell 1.2 percent to $195,000; foreclosure prices fell 2.8 percent to $105,000; and short sale prices fell 3.8 percent to $128,950.

The seller side of the equation continues to improve. On average, homes tended to sell in 144 days compared to 160 last March. Sellers received an average of 92.1 percent of their asking price compared to 88.7 percent last March. That marks the sixth consecutive month of decreases in market times and the eighth consecutive month of increases in the ratio of sales price to list price. Seller confidence will play a key role in filling the supply pipeline moving forward.

Weekly Market Activity Report

The weekly scorecard showcases that home buyers were more active compared to the same week last year. Buyers have been taking advantage of an affordable market, but sellers in many areas have been lazing in the tall grass like lions as the herd moves past. Watch for a changing landscape this spring and summer. Even skeptical sellers are sensing a need to get back into the hunt.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 31:

• New Listings decreased 12.1% to 1,532
• Pending Sales increased 25.2% to 1,113
• Inventory decreased 27.2% to 17,274

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.4% to $149,000
• Days on Market decreased 10.0% to 144
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.7% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 39.2% to 4.6

Click Here to View Full Weekly Activity Report

Weekly Market Activity Report

The last time you were at the doctor, your vital signs were checked – heart rate, pulse, temperature and blood pressure. Progress was documented and valuable insights were gained, whether it was a routine visit or one of many checks during an extended hospital stay. The housing market has been in and out of intensive care for the past several years. Monitoring vitals matters, and that's what you'll find on the following pages. The pulse of today's market indicates that we may be getting ready to leave the ICU. So if you could just please pull up your sleeve, let's check your blood pressure.

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

• New Listings increased 2.2% to 1,414
• Pending Sales increased 30.2% to 1,052
• Inventory decreased 27.3% to 17,193

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price decreased 1.4% to $138,000
• Days on Market decreased 9.0% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 34.8% to 4.7

Click Here to View Full Weekly Activity Report

Weekly Market Activity Report

In another sign that the six-year long housing slump could be coming to an end, the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) reached 28. To put that in perspective, it went from above 70 in 2005 to below 10 in 2009. The HMI has not seen 28 since June 2007. This and other landmark data points are coalescing to signal calmer waters ahead. That's not to say you should expect double-digit annualized appreciation, but both buyers and sellers are displaying the sort of confidence that is fluttering through the rest of the economy.

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

• New Listings decreased 1.3% to 1,406
• Pending Sales increased 23.1% to 1,029
• Inventory decreased 27.5% to 17,088

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price decreased 1.4% to $138,000
• Days on Market decreased 9.0% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 35.2% to 4.

Click Here to View Full Weekly Activity Report

March Monthly Skinny Video

Where has the Twin Cities real estate market been and where is it heading? This monthly summary provides an overview of current trends and projections for future activity. Narrated by Andy Fazendin (2012 President-Elect, Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®), video produced by Chelsie Lopez. | CLICK HERE to view in a separate window or just check the embedded clip below: 

 
Spanish version is narrated by Karen Tobler.

Weekly Market Activity Report

Buyer activity: up. Seller activity: down. That could soon change if sellers begin to increase their activity levels entering the spring market. They've understandably been a tad shy lately, but the changing landscape is starting to register with well-informed homeowners looking to move. Buyers have shown that they refuse to let one of the most attractive purchase environments pass them by. As activity revs up this spring, not all segments will benefit equally. Which is exactly why the numbers are so central to assessing both the breadth and depth of market recovery.

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

• New Listings decreased 0.3% to 1,450
• Pending Sales increased 20.9% to 995
• Inventory decreased 24.3% to 17,899

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price decreased 1.4% to $138,000
• Days on Market decreased 9.1% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.6% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 35.8% to 4.7

Click Here to View Full Weekly Activity Report