Rates Increase Again and at a Key Moment for the Housing Market

May 2, 2024
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased for the fifth consecutive week as we enter the heart of Spring Homebuying Season. On average, more than one-third of home sales for the entire year occur between March and June. With two months left of this historically busy period, potential homebuyers will likely not see relief from rising rates anytime soon. However, many seem to have acclimated to these higher rates, as demonstrated by the recently released pending home sales data coming in at the highest level in a year.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

Weekly Market Report

For Week Ending April 20, 2024

U.S. residential housing starts unexpectedly declined as of last measure, falling 14.7% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.32 million units, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Building permits and housing completions were also down month-over-month, sliding 4.3% and 13.5%, respectively, as higher interest rates and rising construction and development costs continue to impact homebuilders.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 20:

  • New Listings increased 0.6% to 1,380
  • Pending Sales increased 2.1% to 978
  • Inventory increased 14.8% to 7,444

FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH:

  • Median Sales Price increased 2.8% to $366,000
  • Days on Market decreased 6.9% to 54
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.2% to 98.8%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 26.7% to 1.9

All comparisons are to 2023

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

Mortgage Rates Continue to Increase

April 25, 2024
Mortgage rates continued rising this week. Despite rates increasing more than half a percent since the first week of the year, purchase demand remains steady. With rates staying higher for longer, many homebuyers are adjusting, as evidenced by this week’s report that sales of newly built homes saw the biggest increase since December 2022.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

Weekly Market Report

For Week Ending April 13, 2024

Amid higher borrowing costs, mortgage rate buydowns have become an increasingly popular choice among homebuyers looking to save some money on the purchase of their next home. According to a recent study by Freddie Mac, about 58.8% of purchase borrowers paid discount points last year, up from 53.6% and 31.3% of purchase borrowers in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Regionally, borrowers in the Pacific and Mountain West were more likely to pay points compared to borrowers in the Midwest and parts of the Northeast.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 13:

  • New Listings increased 9.4% to 1,487
  • Pending Sales increased 13.7% to 995
  • Inventory increased 15.7% to 7,270

FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH:

  • Median Sales Price increased 2.8% to $366,000
  • Days on Market decreased 6.9% to 54
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.2% to 98.8%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 26.7% to 1.9

All comparisons are to 2023

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