Thursday, January 15th, 2015
By Aubray Erhardt on Wednesday, January 14th, 2015

2014 Annual Wrap-Up: Recovery Continues, Market Normalizing.

Minneapolis, Minnesota (January 14, 2015) – Strong demand and higher prices were some of the positive developments seen in 2014. Market recovery continued to take hold. Sellers were motivated by rising prices and quick market times, and so they listed more properties for sale. Closed sales activity ended the year at the second highest level since 2005. Even though the active supply of homes for sale fell to a 12-year low, home buyers had more choices during the critical spring and summer selling season. Homes sold in less time, which was great news for sellers. Absorption rates were flat and still slightly favored sellers but 2015 should see more balance. Foreclosure activity fell for a third straight year, while new construction and condo activity continued to soar in and around downtown.

2014 by the Numbers

• Sellers listed 73,768 properties on the market, a 2.3 percent increase from 2013 and the highest level since 2010
• Buyers closed on 49,541 homes, down 6.9 percent from 2013 yet the second highest figure since 2005
• Inventory levels for December fell 7.2 percent from 2013 to 11,822 units, the lowest level in 12 years but May 2014 inventory was 13.4 percent higher than May 2013.
• Months Supply of Inventory was flat at 2.9 months, tied for a 12-year low
• The Median Sales Price rose 7.2 percent to $205,739, marking a seven-year high
o This measure of home prices is 11.8 percent below its 2006 peak and 37.2 percent above its 2011 valley
• Cumulative Days on Market was down 6.0 percent to 78 days, on average—an eight-year record pace
• Lender-mediated properties made up a significantly smaller share of overall activity across multiple metrics
o 12.2 percent of all New Listings were lender-mediated (either foreclosures or short sales), down from 21.6 percent in 2013 and 34.7 percent in 2012
o 16.4 percent of all Inventory was lender-mediated, down from 26.1 percent in 2013 and 38.7 percent in 2012
o 16.5 percent of all Closed Sales were lender-mediated, down from 26.3 percent in 2013 and 39.7 percent in 2012
From The Skinny Blog.

Posted in The Skinny |
Monday, January 5th, 2015

It is typically during the final weeks of a calendar year when residential real estate activity hits its seasonal lows, even when some year-over-year comparisons show progress. Don’t be fooled by this time of year. Buyers and sellers are preparing for promising spring and summer markets. Of late, the spring market tends to get hopping before the -ary months are even complete.

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

  • New Listings decreased 13.5% to 268
  • Pending Sales decreased 9.8% to 359
  • Inventory decreased 4.4% to 13,152

For the month of November:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $205,000
  • Days on Market increased 5.3% to 79
  • Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.7% to 94.7%
  • Months Supply of Inventory increased 8.8% to 3.7

All comparisons are to 2014

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

Posted in Weekly Report |
Monday, December 29th, 2014

Even though interest rates remain low, there is talk of homeownership numbers being at 20-year lows. Tight lending restrictions may be partly to blame for the dip in the number of people flocking to buy a home. A turnover of the trend could be possible in the new year, but during the weeks surrounding the big winter holidays, we all tend to have to play the wait-and-see game.

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

  • New Listings increased 6.1% to 592
  • Pending Sales decreased 1.3% to 689
  • Inventory decreased 4.4% to 13,698

For the month of November:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $205,000
  • Days on Market increased 5.3% to 79
  • Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.7% to 94.7%
  • Months Supply of Inventory increased 8.8% to 3.7

All comparisons are to 2013

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

Posted in Weekly Report |
Monday, December 22nd, 2014

We have reached the time of year when year-to-date and rolling 12-month time calculations become especially reliable. Buyer and seller activity continues at a decent clip, though generally lower than the spring and summer selling seasons. With the price of gasoline where it is, holiday spending should be strong, which benefits the economy and is, therefore, also good for housing. There’s plenty to be cheerful about this December.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 13:

  • New Listings decreased 12.9% to 661
  • Pending Sales increased 6.6% to 679
  • Inventory decreased 2.7% to 14,268

For the month of November:

  • Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $205,000
  • Days on Market increased 5.3% to 79
  • Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.7% to 94.7%
  • Months Supply of Inventory increased 8.8% to 3.7

All comparisons are to 2013

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

Posted in Weekly Report |
Monday, December 22nd, 2014

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.

Posted in Monthly Skinny Video |