Here's the latest from MAAR
Low mortgage rates, high affordability and government programs designed to encourage home purchases are continuing to spur home sales this spring despite an iffy economy. The week ending April 18 was the fourth consecutive week of pending sales activity that was more than 20 percent higher than during the same week in 2008. There were 1,083 pending sales for the week, up 21.3 percent from this time last year. It was also the third consecutive week of 1,000-plus unit sales, a first-time occurrence since 2006.
All these sales are quickly whisking inventory off the market at a time when new listing inventory is not growing at its typically robust spring rate. The number of total homes for sale is down 18.4 percent from a year ago at 26,318. As a result, the gap between this year's supply of homes and that of previous years continues to grow.
More HERE.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Friday, October 10, 2008
Pending sales skyrocket over 40 percent as prices decline
From MAAR:
Minneapolis, Minnesota (October 10, 2008) – Buyers flocked to the Twin Cities housing market in September to take advantage of attractive home prices and a sunsetting federal loan program, according to the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR) based on data from the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc.
There were 4,036 pending sales in September, which represented a whopping 42.2 percent increase over September 2007's mark of 2,839. Closed sales, too, were up dramatically—34.9 percent higher for the same time period comparison. The last time there was a year-over-year pending sales increase even close to this large was in March of 1998 when the increase over March of 1997 was 38.6 percent.
"There really are some incredible buying opportunities out there and this is the surest sign yet," said Kevin Knudsen, MAAR President. "But we also need to keep in mind that September of last year was extremely slow, which makes these figures pop a little more."
Also adding to the influx of September buyers was "last call" activity before the October 1 dissolution of the FHA-sponsored seller-funded downpayment assistance program, which was the last of a dying breed of zero-down loan programs remaining on the market.
A hearty 41.6 percent of September's pending sales were lender-mediated foreclosures and short sales, up from 17.5 percent in September 2007. The increased market share of these bargain-priced properties led to further declines in home prices. The overall September median sales price of $189,900 fell from last year by 15.6 percent. Lender-mediated homes posted a median sales price of $146,000, a decrease of 11.5 percent from last year. Traditional properties had a September median sales price of $212,500, a decrease of 8.6 percent.
Due to the decline in home prices and another downtick in mortgage rates, the October Housing Affordability Index jettisoned upward from last month to 159, which is 21.4 percent higher than this time last year, and back up at extremely healthy levels following a few years of unsustainably low affordability. While challenging for sellers, this means a more accessible market for potential home buyers, thus the resurgence in sales activity.
"With all the uncertainties in the economy, it's hard to predict right now if the sales upturn will continue," said Steve Havig, MAAR President-Elect. "But the affordability and inventory choice picture is still very attractive, which bodes well for our long-term picture."
Minneapolis, Minnesota (October 10, 2008) – Buyers flocked to the Twin Cities housing market in September to take advantage of attractive home prices and a sunsetting federal loan program, according to the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR) based on data from the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc.
There were 4,036 pending sales in September, which represented a whopping 42.2 percent increase over September 2007's mark of 2,839. Closed sales, too, were up dramatically—34.9 percent higher for the same time period comparison. The last time there was a year-over-year pending sales increase even close to this large was in March of 1998 when the increase over March of 1997 was 38.6 percent.
"There really are some incredible buying opportunities out there and this is the surest sign yet," said Kevin Knudsen, MAAR President. "But we also need to keep in mind that September of last year was extremely slow, which makes these figures pop a little more."
Also adding to the influx of September buyers was "last call" activity before the October 1 dissolution of the FHA-sponsored seller-funded downpayment assistance program, which was the last of a dying breed of zero-down loan programs remaining on the market.
A hearty 41.6 percent of September's pending sales were lender-mediated foreclosures and short sales, up from 17.5 percent in September 2007. The increased market share of these bargain-priced properties led to further declines in home prices. The overall September median sales price of $189,900 fell from last year by 15.6 percent. Lender-mediated homes posted a median sales price of $146,000, a decrease of 11.5 percent from last year. Traditional properties had a September median sales price of $212,500, a decrease of 8.6 percent.
Due to the decline in home prices and another downtick in mortgage rates, the October Housing Affordability Index jettisoned upward from last month to 159, which is 21.4 percent higher than this time last year, and back up at extremely healthy levels following a few years of unsustainably low affordability. While challenging for sellers, this means a more accessible market for potential home buyers, thus the resurgence in sales activity.
"With all the uncertainties in the economy, it's hard to predict right now if the sales upturn will continue," said Steve Havig, MAAR President-Elect. "But the affordability and inventory choice picture is still very attractive, which bodes well for our long-term picture."
Monday, October 06, 2008
Party Time Continues!
Here's the latest from MAAR:
The September sales party continued for the week ending September 27, as pending sales jumped by a whopping 58.4 percent from 2007. The extravagant nature of these sales increases will not likely continue through the fall, given the current economic uncertainties and an expected downward trend in consumer confidence. New listings also increased for the same time period, bumping up 9.9 percent from the same week last year—the first year-over-year increase in new listings since early July. Total inventory remains significantly down; there are roughly 3,000 fewer homes for sale now than at this time in 2007.
This week's edition of the MAAR Weekly Market Activity Report features updated figures for several important metrics. The Supply-Demand Ratio (SDR)—a measurement of the number of homes for sale for each projected buyer—stood at 9.79 for October, down slightly from last October. The Percent of Original List Price Received at Sale dipped slightly to 92.2 percent in September, while the Average Days on Market Until Sale increased to 145, up 2.7 percent from last September.
The September sales party continued for the week ending September 27, as pending sales jumped by a whopping 58.4 percent from 2007. The extravagant nature of these sales increases will not likely continue through the fall, given the current economic uncertainties and an expected downward trend in consumer confidence. New listings also increased for the same time period, bumping up 9.9 percent from the same week last year—the first year-over-year increase in new listings since early July. Total inventory remains significantly down; there are roughly 3,000 fewer homes for sale now than at this time in 2007.
This week's edition of the MAAR Weekly Market Activity Report features updated figures for several important metrics. The Supply-Demand Ratio (SDR)—a measurement of the number of homes for sale for each projected buyer—stood at 9.79 for October, down slightly from last October. The Percent of Original List Price Received at Sale dipped slightly to 92.2 percent in September, while the Average Days on Market Until Sale increased to 145, up 2.7 percent from last September.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
September Song
Her's the latest from MAAR:
September home sales in the Twin Cities housing market continue to post huge gains over 2007. For the week ending September 20, there were 42.8 percent more pending sales than the same week last year. Over the last seven weeks, there have been 5,866 signed purchase agreements, up more than 1,500 units from the 4,363 posted during this period in 2007. However, here are some items to keep in mind that temper the good news:
September 2007 was a particularly slow month, which inflates the appearance of this year's increase. Current sales levels are on par with September 2006.
Lender-mediated foreclosures and short sales are a growing part of the market. For the most recent week, 39.1 percent of pending sales were lender-mediated, compared to 13.4 percent for the same week last year.
Home sales in September of this year may be temporarily propped up by buyers taking advantage of the final days of the FHA seller-funded downpayment assistance program, which disappears on October 1.
The supply of homes for sale remains lower than last year—7.8 percent down from the same time last year for the most recent reporting week.
September home sales in the Twin Cities housing market continue to post huge gains over 2007. For the week ending September 20, there were 42.8 percent more pending sales than the same week last year. Over the last seven weeks, there have been 5,866 signed purchase agreements, up more than 1,500 units from the 4,363 posted during this period in 2007. However, here are some items to keep in mind that temper the good news:
September 2007 was a particularly slow month, which inflates the appearance of this year's increase. Current sales levels are on par with September 2006.
Lender-mediated foreclosures and short sales are a growing part of the market. For the most recent week, 39.1 percent of pending sales were lender-mediated, compared to 13.4 percent for the same week last year.
Home sales in September of this year may be temporarily propped up by buyers taking advantage of the final days of the FHA seller-funded downpayment assistance program, which disappears on October 1.
The supply of homes for sale remains lower than last year—7.8 percent down from the same time last year for the most recent reporting week.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
FOR SALE- ONE OWNER HOBBIT HOME
Tired of the Rat Race? Why not try digging your own hole like this guy did in Wales!
Click here for more!
Monday, September 22, 2008
A Nice Little Streak
Here's the latest from MAAR:
As we enter the fall season, buyer activity is still on a nice little streak, posting its sixth consecutive week of double-digit year-over-year growth in pending sales. During this six-week period, there have been 5,085 purchase agreements signed in the Twin Cities housing market compared to only 3,816 during this time in 2007. For the week ending September 13, there were 783 purchase agreements signed—a jump of 23.3 percent over the same time last year.
For that same week there were 1,864 new listings—a decline of 13.4 percent from the same week last year. The total number of homes currently for sale is 31,426, which is down 9.3 percent from this time in 2007. As it does every fall, total supply should continue to decline in the months ahead.
As we enter the fall season, buyer activity is still on a nice little streak, posting its sixth consecutive week of double-digit year-over-year growth in pending sales. During this six-week period, there have been 5,085 purchase agreements signed in the Twin Cities housing market compared to only 3,816 during this time in 2007. For the week ending September 13, there were 783 purchase agreements signed—a jump of 23.3 percent over the same time last year.
For that same week there were 1,864 new listings—a decline of 13.4 percent from the same week last year. The total number of homes currently for sale is 31,426, which is down 9.3 percent from this time in 2007. As it does every fall, total supply should continue to decline in the months ahead.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Who says all sequels are bad?!?
Here's the latest from MAAR:
Like The Godfather: Part II, the Twin Cities housing market showed a surprisingly strong sequel to last week's huge upswing in pending sales. For the week ending September 6, there were 749 purchase agreements written—a rise of 49.8 percent from the same week in 2007. This comes on the heels of last week's then-unthinkably large increase of 51.3 percent.
There are factors at work that are exacerbating the appearance of this rebound and slightly tempering this good news. First, the sales slowdown in August and September of last year was historically extreme; current activity seems extraterrestially high, compared to 2007, but is actually only slightly above the pace of 2006. In addition, there is likely a short-term increase in sales activity as home buyers act now to take advantage of sunsetting seller-funded downpayment assistance on FHA mortgages. This program is currently the only zero-down loan option still available and is disappearing as of October 1, subject to a congressional rescue.
Other factors working to boost buyer activity include the newly authorized $7,500 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers, home prices too good to pass on and downward pressure on interest rates.
Elsewhere in the market, the supply of homes for sale continues to shrink. There are currently 9.0 percent fewer homes on the market than there were a year ago. And we are almost dead even with the number of homes on the market at this time in 2006.
Like The Godfather: Part II, the Twin Cities housing market showed a surprisingly strong sequel to last week's huge upswing in pending sales. For the week ending September 6, there were 749 purchase agreements written—a rise of 49.8 percent from the same week in 2007. This comes on the heels of last week's then-unthinkably large increase of 51.3 percent.
There are factors at work that are exacerbating the appearance of this rebound and slightly tempering this good news. First, the sales slowdown in August and September of last year was historically extreme; current activity seems extraterrestially high, compared to 2007, but is actually only slightly above the pace of 2006. In addition, there is likely a short-term increase in sales activity as home buyers act now to take advantage of sunsetting seller-funded downpayment assistance on FHA mortgages. This program is currently the only zero-down loan option still available and is disappearing as of October 1, subject to a congressional rescue.
Other factors working to boost buyer activity include the newly authorized $7,500 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers, home prices too good to pass on and downward pressure on interest rates.
Elsewhere in the market, the supply of homes for sale continues to shrink. There are currently 9.0 percent fewer homes on the market than there were a year ago. And we are almost dead even with the number of homes on the market at this time in 2006.
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