For Week Ending June 20, 2020
Housing starts in May rose 4.3% to an annual rate of 974,000, its first increase since January and up from a five-year low of 934,000 in April. The increase was less than expected by economists but builder permits were up 14.4% for the month to 1.22 million annually, signaling higher housing starts are likely in the near future.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 20:
- New Listings decreased 16.4% to 1,728
- Pending Sales increased 3.4% to 1,594
- Inventory decreased 22.8% to 9,871
For the month of May:
- Median Sales Price increased 3.5% to $294,900
- Days on Market decreased 8.9% to 41
- Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.4% to 99.6%
- Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 16.0% to 2.1
All comparisons are to 2019
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.
May Monthly Skinny Video
Mortgage rates are hovering near all-time lows, spurring strong interest in buyers.
Weekly Market Report
For Week Ending June 13, 2020
New unemployment insurance weekly claims declined again this week, coming in at a little over 1.5 million claims. This is down substantially from more than 6 million claims posted per week in late March and early April but still higher than pre-COVID- 19 levels. Nearly 21 million Americans remain unemployed, up from just 1.7 million a year ago. As businesses continue to reopen, new unemployment claims and total unemployed is expected to decline in the coming weeks.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 13:
- New Listings decreased 22.0% to 1,648
- Pending Sales decreased 8.5% to 1,414
- Inventory decreased 20.7% to 9,901
For the month of May:
- Median Sales Price increased 3.3% to $294,375
- Days on Market decreased 8.9% to 41
- Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.4% to 99.6%
- Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 16.0% to 2.1
All comparisons are to 2019
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.
Market activity up in May from previous month, but down from 2019
(June 18, 2020) – According to new data from the Minneapolis Area REALTORS® and the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®, market activity was down from last May but increased from this April.The number of residential showings has reached a new high for the year. The decline in pending sales was about half that of new listings, as buyers were motivated by record-low mortgage rates. Pending sales were down just 2.5 percent in the $350-500K price range but fell 34.8 percent on homes between $750K-1M. For new listings, the reverse was true with the biggest declines in the affordable price range of $150-190K and the smallest drop in new listings for homes over $1M.
“Activity is moving through the system—fewer April contracts now means fewer closed sales in May,” said Linda Rogers, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “But smaller declines in May contracts combined with strong showing activity are reasons for cautious optimism.”Home prices rose to about $295K compared to last May, but it was the smallest percentage gain since January 2017. April was the first month on record where the median home price surpassed $300K. Homes also sold more quickly this May than last, as motivated buyers remained committed, but less serious buyers and “lookers” were not as active. The share of their list price that sellers received declined to 99.6 percent from 100.0 percent last May.
“We expected May to be a slight improvement from April and so far that is mostly true,” said Patrick Ruble, President of the St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. “Not only is showing activity displaying some strength, but the home buyers and sellers we work with are starting to feel more confident as well. Rates are at historic lows and should remain low throughout the year.”
Showing activity rose by 11.0 percent from the most recent week compared to the week prior and has reached new highs. The economic toll impacted market segments differently. First-time buyers are more likely to be impacted by job losses in the leisure, hospitality or retail space, while those shopping in the luxury brackets may be impacted by turmoil in equity and energy markets. The middle-market ranges are outperforming, helped along by professionals who can work from home. Given the lack of supply—especially close to the core cities—and price points in the low $400s, the new home market is more stable than the existing resale market.
Mortgage rates on a 30-year fixed loan are around 3.25 percent—the lowest they have ever been. While recessions can pause market activity, they typically only have a minor impact on home prices. A persistently undersupplied market—particularly for affordable homes—may help prices stay afloat.
May 2020 by the numbers compared to a year ago
- Sellers listed 7,199 properties on the market, a 24.1 percent decrease from last May
- Buyers signed 5,828 purchase agreements, down 13.9 percent (4,728 closed sales, down 22.4 percent)
- Inventory levels declined 20.3 percent to 9,744 units
- Months Supply of Inventory was down 20.0 percent to0 months (5-6 months is balanced)
- The Median Sales Price rose 3.5 percent to $294,900
- Cumulative Days on Market decreased 8.9 percent to 41 days, on average (median of 16)
- Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment
- Single family sales fell 9.2 percent; condo sales were down 38.6 percent; townhome sales declined 18.4 percent
- Traditional sales decreased 13.2 percent; foreclosure sales dropped 4.3 percent; short sales fell 30.8 percent
- Previously owned sales were down 13.8 percent; new construction sales declined 0.5 percent
Weekly Market Report
For Week Ending June 6, 2020
Continued low mortgage rates have boosted mortgage applications from prospective home buyers. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 5% last week, which is 18% higher than applications a year ago. Mortgage applications were down as much as 35% from a year prior just six weeks ago, showing an incredible rebound from the impact of COVID-19.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 6:
- New Listings decreased 25.0% to 1,674
- Pending Sales decreased 5.6% to 1,418
- Inventory decreased 18.0% to 9,869
For the month of May:
- Median Sales Price increased 3.2% to $294,250
- Days on Market decreased 8.9% to 41
- Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.4% to 99.6%
- Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 20.0% to 2.0
All comparisons are to 2019
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.
Weekly Market Report
For Week Ending May 30, 2020
Buyer activity continues to improve as states and localities slowly open up. ShowingTime is reporting that nationally, showing activity has been climbing since mid-April and is now at or above the same time last year. This increase in buyer showings predicts continued improvement in pending and closed sales numbers in the weeks to come.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 30:
- New Listings decreased 27.8% to 1,406
- Pending Sales decreased 10.7% to 1,246
- Inventory decreased 16.4% to 9,935
For the month of April:
- Median Sales Price increased 8.9% to $305,000
- Days on Market decreased 17.5% to 47
- Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.5% to 99.9%
- Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 9.1% to 2.0
All comparisons are to 2019
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.
Weekly Market Report
For Week Ending May 23, 2020
Mortgage rates have now been below 3.30 percent for four consecutive weeks, according to the latest update from Freddie Mac. These near-record low rates have been a catalyst for the recovering buyer activity in the housing market while sellers continue to maintain a little more cautious approach.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 23:
- New Listings decreased 11.7% to 1,668
- Pending Sales decreased 11.0% to 1,453
- Inventory decreased 17.1% to 9,764
For the month of April:
- Median Sales Price increased 8.9% to $305,000
- Days on Market decreased 17.5% to 47
- Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.5% to 99.9%
- Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 9.1% to 2.0
All comparisons are to 2019
Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.