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
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
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
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
Although the latest jobs report was less than exciting for those waiting for economic recovery to cast a warming glow all across the land, the residential real estate market continued to jog along at a nice pace, as though earbuds were drowning out the din of negative energies trying to dissuade healthy activity. For the most recent week, buyer activity was higher than year-ago levels while listing activity registered lower. Keep watching inventory and sales activity throughout the summer to see if this runner’s high will continue into fall.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 26:
- New Listings decreased 8.5% to 1,387
- Pending Sales increased 19.2% to 1,231
- Inventory decreased 29.8% to 17,740
For the month of April:
- Median Sales Price increased 12.1% to $162,500
- Days on Market decreased 15.2% to 135
- Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.7% to 93.4%
- Months Supply of Inventory decreased 41.7% to 4.8