Ted Bergstrom

For Week Ending November 9, 2019

With the stock market reaching record highs, continued low unemployment, and low mortgage rates, many signs in the US economy remain strong. However, total household debt has been rising for twenty-one consecutive quarters and is now $1.3 trillion higher than the previous peak of $12.68 trillion in 2008. While delinquency rates remain low across most debt types, including mortgages, higher consumer debt loads can limit future household spending capability and increase risk if the economy slows down.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 9:

• New Listings increased 6.3% to 1,094
• Pending Sales increased 1.6% to 992
• Inventory decreased 5.9% to 11,463

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.7% to $280,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.2% to 46
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.1%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 4.0% to 2.4

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

For Week Ending November 2, 2019

This week the Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark rate for the third time this year. This action was widely anticipated by the market and mortgage rates rose for the third consecutive week. Despite the recent rise, rates still remain approximately one percent lower than a year ago, which has a substantial effect on buying power. Also this week, a TransUnion analysis predicts a surge of additional first-time homebuyers will enter the market between 2020 and 2022, climbing from 7.6 million buyers in the 2016-2018 period to 8.3-9.2 million in the 2020-2022 period.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 2:

• New Listings increased 9.2% to 1,223
• Pending Sales increased 3.3% to 1,043
• Inventory decreased 5.5% to 11,917

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.8% to $279,900
• Days on Market increased 2.4% to 43
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.5%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.7% to 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

For Week Ending October 26, 2019

A new Census report this week announced that new construction home sales nationwide decreased slightly to a seasonally adjusted rate of 701,000 units, which is 15.5% higher than a year ago. Also in the announcement was news that the median sales price of new construction homes declined to $299,440 nationally, down 8% from a year ago. This decline was due to an increase in the availability of new homes at lower price points and is a welcomed change in what has been an underserved segment of the market.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 26:

• New Listings decreased 0.4% to 1,239
• Pending Sales increased 9.1% to 1,094
• Inventory decreased 4.9% to 12,212

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.8% to $279,700
• Days on Market increased 2.4% to 43
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.5%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.7% to 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

For Week Ending October 19, 2019

While the U.S. Commerce Department reported that total housing starts dropped 9.4% month over month in September, that drop was focused on the apartment and condo segment while single-family housing starts actually rose .3%. Throughout much of the country, the continued low level of housing inventory is constraining sales activity from where it would be in a balanced market. Active inventory is in its normal seasonal decline, leaving buyers with fewer choices as we move towards the end of the year.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 19:

• New Listings decreased 6.1% to 1,309
• Pending Sales increased 6.5% to 1,138
• Inventory decreased 3.7% to 12,440

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.6% to $279,250
• Days on Market increased 2.4% to 43
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.5%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.7% to 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

For Week Ending October 12, 2019

In the last month, mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest monthly average in more than three years, and now Fannie Mae is predicting that continued low rates, and possibly lower rates, are expected in 2020. These historically low mortgage rates have and will continue to support buyer demand and may create additional lift to home prices as lower financing costs give buyers the ability to offer more to secure their dream home.

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

• New Listings increased 7.3% to 1,496
• Pending Sales decreased 5.9% to 1,036
• Inventory decreased 4.4% to 12,457

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.5% to $279,000
• Days on Market increased 2.4% to 43
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 98.5%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.7% to 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

For Week Ending October 5, 2019

With the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage approximately one percentage point lower than a year ago according to Freddie Mac, buyers are actively taking advantage. Home refinancing is also going strong and overall mortgage demand, which includes purchase mortgages as well as refinancings, is up 50% from a year ago. Lower mortgage rates help maintain housing affordability in the face of price appreciation across much of the country.

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

• New Listings decreased 2.7% to 1,517
• Pending Sales increased 1.5% to 1,180
• Inventory decreased 3.4% to 12,597

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $286,900
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

For Week Ending September 28, 2019

The Commerce Department reported sales of newly built homes nationwide have surged 18% compared to a year ago and housing starts and building permits reached a 12-year high in August. This surge in both sales and new construction shows strong market confidence by both buyers and builders. However, further increases in new construction starts are still required to meet demand and bring more balance.

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

• New Listings decreased 3.3% to 1,546
• Pending Sales decreased 3.0% to 1,112
• Inventory decreased 3.6% to 12,716

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.0% to $286,875
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

For Week Ending September 21, 2019

This week the National Association of REALTORS® reported that nationally, August existing-home sales rose 2.6% from a year ago. Additionally, the Federal Reserve announced a rate cut for the second time in seven weeks, though this was widely expected and largely factored into mortgage rates already. A strong economy along with mortgage rates near their lows for the year continue to support healthy housing demand.

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

• New Listings increased 7.6% to 1,676
• Pending Sales decreased 2.4% to 1,158
• Inventory decreased 4.4% to 12,628

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.9% to $286,500
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale remained flat at 2.6

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

For Week Ending September 14, 2019

With kids back in school and the weather beginning to cool, the housing market begins its annual cooldown as well. With buyer and seller activity remaining strong, it will be at a little more relaxed pace than during the late spring and summer. While Halloween decorations may be adorning stores and soon adorn the stoops of homes around the country, the real estate market this fall is looking far from scary.

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

• New Listings decreased 1.3% to 1,820
• Pending Sales decreased 7.8% to 1,144
• Inventory decreased 4.8% to 12,423

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.7% to $286,000
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.8% to 2.5

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

For Week Ending September 7, 2019

The White House has released a plan to broadly overhaul the housing finance system, including the re-privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and reforms to federal agencies involved with financing substantial portions of the mortgages made every year. These changes will affect the cost and availability of loans in the future. Many recommendations will require legislative approval, so it is unclear at this time how much of the plan may eventually be implemented and its ultimate impact on the housing market.

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

• New Listings decreased 3.8% to 1,691
• Pending Sales increased 5.3% to 1,113
• Inventory decreased 4.5% to 12,224

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.7% to $286,000
• Days on Market increased 2.5% to 41
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.2% to 99.0%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 3.8% to 2.5

All comparisons are to 2018

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.