Summer heat waves roll across the northland as election season also heats up. Meanwhile, as the mercury and partisan rhetoric both escalate, residential real estate continues to show signs consistent with market recovery. For the current round of numbers, both buyer and seller activity levels were higher than last year at this time. Buyers have been taking advantage of historic affordability levels for some time, but renewed seller confidence is a more recent development and some would even call it an encouraging omen, as long as supply levels don’t exceed a prior apex.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 30:
- New Listings increased 0.1% to 1,414
- Pending Sales increased 20.4% to 1,194
- Inventory decreased 31.0% to 17,417
For the month of June:
- Median Sales Price increased 10.4% to $179,000
- Days on Market decreased 22.0% to 113
- Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.0% to 95.0%
- Months Supply of Inventory decreased 44.7% to 4.4
Monday, July 9th, 2012
Monday, July 2nd, 2012
Another week during the peak selling season has brought further evidence of a market in transition. New listings came in slower than last year but buyer activity has increased over year-ago levels. Buyers are confident in the current affordability picture, and some rents have increased to levels above comparable mortgage payments. Absorption rates, negotiating leverage and market times are all still metrics worth watching carefully. Some agents are reporting that more than half of their clients are in multiple offers. That’s nothing to throw dirt at.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 23:
- New Listings decreased 1.6% to 1,395
- Pending Sales increased 15.8% to 1,105
- Inventory decreased 30.8% to 17,558
For the month of May:
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny.
- Median Sales Price increased 10.5% to $169,000
- Days on Market decreased 19.5% to 125
- Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 94.6%
- Months Supply of Inventory decreased 43.4% to 4.6
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Monday, June 25th, 2012
Market metrics are in the midst of seasonal peaks and valleys this time of year. Listings, sales and prices all tend to reach pinnacles on the historical trend line, while market times generally take a dip to annual lows. Summer is historically an exciting time for real estate. Between vacations to see family and friends and the crush of wedding weekends, Americans manage to find the time to buy and sell real estate. The last several years have been rough, no doubt, but an undeniable gleam has returned to the marketplace this year, and summer brings with it a certain extra swoon.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 16:
- New Listings decreased 3.7% to 1,476
- Pending Sales increased 19.8% to 1,173
- Inventory decreased 31.0% to 17,517
For the month of May:
- Median Sales Price increased 10.5% to $169,000
- Days on Market decreased 19.6% to 125
- Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 94.6%
- Months Supply of Inventory decreased 43.9% to 4.6
Monday, June 18th, 2012
The report card for this week showed higher grades than last year at this time for both buyers and sellers. Activity levels are higher on both sides, which is indicative of recovering confidence in the local market. Prices in certain areas have already turned a corner, and it is not unreasonable to expect a continuation of this trend. As summer begins to swelter, also keep a watchful eye on active listings, absorption rates, days on market and percent of list price received. Being schooled in these metrics is like having an open book during the final exam.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 9:
- New Listings increased 0.4% to 1,582
- Pending Sales increased 29.4% to 1,231
- Inventory decreased 31.0% to 17,540
For the month of May:
- Median Sales Price increased 10.5% to $169,000
- Days on Market decreased 19.6% to 125
- Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 94.6%
- Months Supply of Inventory decreased 44.7% to 4.6
Monday, June 11th, 2012
Last year at this time, the housing market was in a holding pattern of uncertainty and negativity. This year, it is acceptable to have hope again. Sellers have listed less inventory and buyers are absorbing existing inventory. Foreclosures, while still present, are having a less detrimental impact since low-priced inventory has already been purchased, forcing consumers up the price ladder. Homes are now selling quicker and for closer to list prices in many submarkets. The short sale process, loan availability and some appraisals continue to threaten a quicker recovery, but less so recently.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 2:
- New Listings decreased 17.4% to 1,382
- Pending Sales increased 27.2% to 974
- Inventory decreased 29.9% to 17,607
For the month of May:
- Median Sales Price increased 10.5% to $169,000
- Days on Market decreased 19.5% to 125
- Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 94.5%
- Months Supply of Inventory decreased 45.2% to 4.5