By David Arbit on Friday, March 16th, 2018

The big story of 2017 was threefold: the median sales price reached an all-time high; closed sales reached a 12-year high; and inventory levels reached a 15-year low. Sales nearly broke their all-time record, but fell just short of their all-time 2004 high. In February 2018, new listings posted a year-over-year decline for a fourth consecutive month. Mostly due to the supply shortage, closed sales were lower compared to the year prior for a third consecutive month. For-sale housing supply (inventory) was 23.0 percent lower than February 2017. This shortage has created a competitive environment where multiple offers have become commonplace. Sellers are receiving strong offers close to their original list price in record time, which can sometimes frustrate home buyers. New construction closed sales rose 15.7 percent compared to last February. Although single-family homes made up about 73.0 percent of all sales, condos and townhomes showed the strongest increase in closed sales. Similarly, previously-owned homes made up about 88.7 percent of sales but new construction showed a much stronger increase in pending and closed purchase activity.

February 2018 by the Numbers

• Sellers listed 5,072 properties on the market, an 8.0 percent decrease from February 2017
• Buyers closed on 2,635 homes, a 6.0 percent decrease from 2017
• Inventory levels for February fell 23.0 percent compared to 2017 to 7,537 units, near a 15-year low
• Months Supply of Inventory was down 21.1 percent to 1.5 months, also near a 15-year low
• The Median Sales Price rose 12.7 percent to $250,000, a record high for February
• Cumulative Days on Market declined 15.9 percent to 69 days, on average (median of 38)—a 12-year low
• Changes in sales activity varied by market segment
  • Single-family sales fell 8.3 percent; condo sales rose 1.9 percent; townhome sales rose 6.3 percent
  • Traditional sales fell 1.3 percent; foreclosure sales fell 43.3 percent; short sales fell 39.6 percent
  • Previously-owned sales fell 6.3 percent; new construction sales rose 15.7 percent

From The Skinny Blog.

The big story of 2017 was threefold: the median sales price reached an all-time high; closed sales reached a 12-year high; and inventory levels reached a 15-year low. Sales nearly broke their all-time record, but fell just 12 units short of their all-time 2004 high. In January 2018, new listings posted a year-over-year decline for a third consecutive month. Because of the supply shortage, closed sales were lower compared to the year prior for a second consecutive month. For-sale housing supply (inventory) was about a quarter lower than January 2017. This shortage has created a competitive environment where multiple offers have become commonplace. Sellers are receiving strong offers close to their original list price in record time, which can sometimes frustrate home buyers. New construction pending sales rose nearly 14.0 percent compared to last January. Although single-family homes made up about 76.0 percent of all sales, townhomes were the only segment to show an increase in pending sales. Similarly, previously-owned homes made up about 91.0 percent of sales but new construction showed a much stronger increase in pending purchase activity.

January 2018 by the Numbers

• Sellers listed 4,041 properties on the market, a 7.8 percent decrease from January 2017
• Buyers closed on 2,758 homes, a 4.4 percent decrease from 2017
• Inventory levels for January fell 26.3 percent compared to 2017 to 6,875 units, near a 15-year low
• Months Supply of Inventory was down 27.8 percent to 1.3 months, a 15-year low
• The Median Sales Price rose 9.6 percent to $243,750, a record high for January
• Cumulative Days on Market declined 13.8 percent to 69 days, on average (median of 45)—a 12-year low
• Changes in sales activity varied by market segment

o Single-family sales fell 1.3 percent; condo sales fell 15.1 percent; townhome sales fell 8.5 percent
o Traditional sales fell 1.7 percent; foreclosure sales fell 21.8 percent; short sales fell 42.4 percent
o Previously-owned sales fell 3.8 percent; new construction sales fell 0.4 percent

From The Skinny Blog.

2017 Annual Wrap-Up:
The big story of 2017 was threefold: the median sales price reached an all-time high; closed sales reached a 12-year high; and inventory levels reached a 15-year low. Sales nearly broke their all-time record, but fell just 12 units short of their all-time 2004 high. Seller activity declined slightly for a second year. Near-record sales activity combined with weaker seller activity exacerbated the supply shortage. For-sale housing supply fell to a 15-year low. This shortage has created a competitive environment where multiple offers have become more common. Sellers are receiving strong offers in record time, but this fast-paced market can frustrate some consumers. Days on market fell to an 11-year low. Absorption rates fell to 1.4 months of supply at year-end, also a 15-year record low. Foreclosure activity fell for a sixth straight year and is back below 2007 levels. Although single-family homes made up about 75.0 percent of all sales, both townhomes and condos showed a stronger increase in sales. Similarly, previously-owned homes made up about 93.0 percent of sales but new construction showed a much stronger increase.

2017 by the Numbers
• Sellers listed 76,159 properties on the market, a 2.2 percent decrease from 2016
• Buyers closed on 61,168 homes, a 0.2 percent increase from 2016 and the highest figure since 2004
• Inventory levels for December fell 27.5 percent compared to 2016 to 6,830 units, a 15-year low
• Months Supply of Inventory was down 26.3 percent to 1.4 months, also a 15-year low
• The Median Sales Price rose 7.0 percent to $246,000, which is an all-time record high
• Cumulative Days on Market declined 13.8 percent to 56 days, on average (median of 27)—an 11-year record low
• Changes in sales activity varied dramatically by market segment:

Single-family sales decreased 1.1 percent; condo sales rose 2.0 percent; townhome sales rose 5.7 percent
Traditional sales rose 3.7 percent; foreclosure sales fell 42.8 percent; short sales fell 49.9 percent
Previously-owned sales declined 0.7 percent; new construction sales rose 13.9 percent

“It was an interesting year in a lot of ways. In addition to record prices and near-record sales, the inventory shortage and some affordability concerns also took center stage. Our region is extremely high-performing when it comes to homeownership, employment, education and quality of life. That said, as some market challenges get resolved, expect homeownership to remain an attractive opportunity moving forward,” said Kath Hammerseng, president of the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®.

Sellers posted their second consecutive decrease in activity. New listings were down a slight 2.2% compared to 2016. Many sellers are still motivated by rising prices and quick market times, some sellers have decided to wait it out, enjoy the ride up and hope for more inventory choices before they list their home for sale.

Buyers were active in 2017. Closed sales reached a 13-year high and were within 12 sales of breaking their all-time record from 2004. Encouraged by low interest rates, rising rents and an improving economy, housing demand was exceptionally strong. These gains were driven by more activity in the higher price brackets, as well as increases in condo-townhomes and new construction.

With supply levels at 15-year lows and demand indicators at 12-year highs, the median sales price rose 7.0 percent to $246,000. This marks an all-time record high. Home prices have risen 64.0% from their low point in 2011. Rising prices boost equity, motivate reluctant sellers and replenish local tax base, but can also harm affordability if incomes don’t keep pace.

Inventory levels fell 27.5% to a 15-year low. Consumers had 6,830 options to choose from in December but over 13,400 in July. When combined with strong demand, this supply-side constraint has resulted in competitive bidding on some listings. This shortage has frustrated some buyers. Replenishing supply levels is critical to sustained market health as well as to maintaining a spectrum of housing opportunity for all buyers.

Mostly due to fundamentals but also better pricing decisions, sellers yielded a higher share of their asking price. The median percent of original list price received reached a record high of 99.4 percent. Sellers had a 50/50 chance of receiving more than their current list price. The landscape for sellers has improved immensely. Most sellers can expect to receive offers very close to their list price.

Homes are selling at an 11-year record pace. Listings spent a median of 27 days on the market, 18.3 percent fewer than in 2016. That is less than half the market time from 2012 and nearly a quarter of the market time from 2011. Among other trends, the fact that homes are selling in less time at higher price points should reinforce seller confidence. That’s motivating to sellers, and our market is thirsty for additional inventory.

From The Skinny Blog.

With the majority of 2017 in the books, the Twin Cities housing market is likely to cap off another mostly positive year. Sales and prices both increased while interest rates remained attractive. More homes sold in less time and for closer to asking price. The economy remained supportive to housing by way of low unemployment and moderate job and wage growth. The biggest challenge facing the market hasn’t changed over the last several years; a persistent lack of inventory continues to frustrate buyers.

The table highlights November monthly activity as well as 2017 YTD activity with year-over-year change. New listings are down 2.1 percent for the year so far and closed sales are up 0.3 percent. Prices are likely to end the year around $245,500, up about 6.5 percent compared to 2016. At a brisk 56 days, market times are down 13.8 percent for the year, indicating sellers are accepting offers more quickly. And lastly, the number of active listings on the market is down 24.1 percent to just over 9,000 homes for sale. With months supply at just 1.8 months, absorption rates are at their lowest level in at least 15 years and indicates a sellers’ market.

Generally, five to six months of supply is considered a balanced market where neither buyers nor sellers have an edge. Given near-record demand and suppressed supply, prices scurried higher. The end of 2017 will mark the sixth consecutive year of rising home prices. Home prices are above their prior peak from 2006, as are median household incomes in the metro area.

“Sellers are generally enjoying and also encouraged by rising prices,” said Cotty Lowry, Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR) President. “It speaks to the health of our region and confirms that recovery continues. But the shortage has forced many to delay listing, since most sellers are also buyers. And some buyers—mostly in the affordable price ranges—are finding it challenging to lock down the next place to call home.”

The economy and political environment also affect housing. The national unemployment rate is 4.1 percent, though it’s 2.3 percent locally—the lowest unemployment rate of any major metro area. A diverse economy supports housing, as job and wage growth are key to new household formations. The Minneapolis–St. Paul region has a resilient economy with a global reach, a talented workforce, top-notch schools, exposure to the growing technology and healthcare fields and a quality of life that’s enabled one of the highest homeownership rates in the country.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate declined from 4.3 percent to 3.9 percent recently, still well below its long-term average of around 8.0 percent. A third rate hike was announced this month. Additional inventory is still needed in order to offset declining affordability brought on by higher prices and interest rates.

“The year is poised to end on a mostly positive note,” said Kath Hammerseng, MAAR President-Elect. “Aside from inventory constraints and a thorny tax bill, construction activity, seller confidence and interest rates will be key indicators to watch in 2018.”
From The Skinny Blog.