July 13, 2023
Mortgage rates increased to their highest level since November 2022, the last time rates broke seven percent. Incoming data suggest that inflation is softening, falling to its lowest annual rate in more than two years. However, increases in housing costs, which account for a large share of inflation, remain stubbornly high, mainly due to low inventory relative to demand.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
For Week Ending July 1, 2023
Buyers everywhere are feeling the crunch when home shopping this year, but middle-income households—those earning up to $75,000 per year—are perhaps experiencing the strongest competition overall due to a shortage of homes in their price range. The National Association of REALTORS® reports the market is currently short approximately 320,000 listings priced up to $256,000, which is considered the affordability range for middle-income buyers. As a result, these buyers can afford to purchase just 23% of all listings nationwide, a stark contrast to just 5 years earlier, when the same group could afford half of all homes on the market.
IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 1:
FOR THE MONTH OF MAY:
All comparisons are to 2022
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.
July 6, 2023
Mortgage rates continued their upward trajectory again this week, rising to the highest rate this year so far. This upward trend is being driven by a resilient economy, persistent inflation and a more hawkish tone from the Federal Reserve. These high rates combined with low inventory continue to price many potential homebuyers out of the market.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
For Week Ending June 24, 2023
According to the latest data from the Census Bureau, the U.S. median square footage of single-family homes under construction rose slightly to 2,261 square feet in Q1 2023, up from 2,207 square feet in Q4 2022, but down from 2,310 square feet in Q1 2022. New home sizes decreased steadily last year, reversing the trend seen in 2021, when home sizes increased due to historically low interest rates and buyers spending more time at home during the pandemic.
IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 24:
FOR THE MONTH OF MAY:
All comparisons are to 2022
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.
June 29, 2023
Mortgage rates have hovered in the six to seven percent range for over six months and, despite affordability headwinds, homebuyers have adjusted and driven new home sales to its highest level in more than a year. New home sales have rebounded more robustly than the resale market due to a marginally greater supply of new construction. The improved demand has led to a firming of prices, which have now increased for several months in a row.
Information provided by Freddie Mac.
