(March 19, 2020) – According to new data from the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® and the Minneapolis Area REALTORS®, the number of Twin Cities residential real estate showings declined in most price ranges during the week ending March 17 compared to the previous week. The declines, which come amid the coronavirus pandemic, were most prominent in the higher price brackets.

Showings decreased by 9.7% in the under $250,000 price bracket, where inventory is down significantly. The in-demand $250,000 to $350,000 price range was the only one that had an increase in showings. Homes priced over $1million saw a 33.2% decline in showings.

“It appears that concerns about spreading the coronavirus are starting to have an impact on our market,” said Patrick Ruble, President of the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. “REALTORS® are encouraged to follow the most current best practices in accordance with their brokers, which should be following the CDC guidelines. This includes activities such as open houses, active listings and interactions with clients and visitors.”

New listings, which are usually on the rise this time of year, have been weakening over the past couple of weeks. Active listings, or the total number of homes for sale, have also started softening in recent days. On a positive note pending sales, or the number of signed purchase agreements, remained strong during this period.

“Buyers in the more affordable price ranges embraced the low rates and mild weather,” said Linda Rogers, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “We are noticing fewer showings in the higher price points, reflecting both buyer and seller concerns and time will tell how the rest of the month plays out.”

In other news, the February numbers showed buyer and seller activity were up compared to last year. But the gains appear deceptively large due to weather challenges that held activity back in February 2019. Even so, the gains—particularly for pending sales—also outpaced 2018 levels.

Seller listing activity effectively recovered after the snow and melt we saw in 2019 and then increased slightly over 2018 levels. The nearly 24.0 percent increase in pending sales—or the number of signed purchase agreements—goes beyond weather. Mortgage rates have fallen throughout the year and spent most of February below 3.5 percent, compared to around 4.5 percent in February 2019. The Federal Reserve recently acted to further lower interest rates to limit the downside risks of COVID-19 to the economy. Home sales help the economy and low rates help to hedge against declining affordability brought on by rising prices.

February 2020 by the numbers compared to a year ago

• Sellers listed 5,293 properties on the market, a 19.9 percent increase from last February
• Buyers signed 4,267 purchase agreements, up 23.9 percent (3,016 closed sales, up 6.0 percent)
• Inventory levels declined 12.4 percent to 7,879 units
• Months Supply of Inventory was down 11.1 percent to 1.6 months (5-6 months is balanced)
• The Median Sales Price rose 6.3 percent to $282,000
• Cumulative Days on Market decreased 2.9 percent to 67 days, on average (median of 40)
• Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment

• • Single family sales rose 4.9 percent;condo sales fell 1.4 percent; townhome sales rose 17.7 percent
  • Traditional sales increased 6.9 percent; foreclosure sales rose 8.5 percent; short sales fell 5.9 percent
  • Previously owned sales were up 6.3 percent; new construction sales climbed 16.8 percent

For more information on weekly and monthly housing numbers visit www.mplsrealtor.com.
From The Skinny Blog.

February 22, 2020

Latest housing report also shows falling inventory and rising prices

According to the latest housing report from the Minneapolis Area REALTORS® and the Saint Paul Association of REALTORS®, Twin Cities residential real estate started 2020 on solid but still uneven footing. Buyers were eager to ignite the spring market early, spurred by incredibly low mortgage rates and favorable weather, especially compared to last year. Tempering the market are falling inventory and rising prices.

“Buyers were again spoiled by rates that no one expected would be this low,” said Linda Rogers, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “That’s fueled more sales activity but we’re still missing the inventory piece.”

Sellers listed fewer homes for sale while buyers signed more purchase agreements and closed more deals. As a result, the number of homes for sale was almost 15 percent lower than last January. The supply squeeze wasn’t felt evenly across price points, though. While inventory of homes priced below $250,000 fell, the number of listings priced between $250,000 and $500,000 as well as $500,000 to $1,000,000 increased last month.

“The year is off to a solid start and metro area communities each have a unique story to tell when it comes to housing availability and price,” said Patrick Ruble, President of St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS®.

Some of the most competitive markets experiencing strong price growth are those with relatively higher levels of affordable or entry-level homes, such as Fridley, Vadnais Heights, Richfield, Brooklyn Center and Bloomington. That’s where multiple offers and homes selling for over list price are more common. Both millennial first-time buyers and downsizing empty nesters are competing over this limited supply of affordable homes close to the core cities. The move-up and upper-bracket home price segments are more balanced and better supplied.

January 2020 by the numbers (compared to a year ago)

• Sellers listed 4,330 properties on the market, a 1.8 percent decrease from last January
• Buyers closed on 2,870 homes, a 5.4 percent increase
• Inventory levels declined 14.9 percent to 7,595 units
• Months Supply of Inventory was down 16.7 percent to 5 months (5-6 months is balanced)
• The Median Sales Price rose 4.2 percent to $270,000
• Cumulative Days on Market increased 1.5 percent to 66 days, on average (median of 43)
• Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment
  • Single family sales rose 5.5 percent; condo sales fell 3.5 percent; townhome sales rose 11.7 percent
  • Traditional sales increased 7.1 percent; foreclosure sales dropped 26.0 percent; short sales fell 52.6 percent
  • Previously owned sales were up 5.5 percent; new construction sales climbed 11.1 percent

From The Skinny Blog.

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.

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.