Home prices flat, buyer and seller activity still well below last year

  • The median sales price was unchanged at $355,000
  • The average market time was up 62.9 percent to 57 days
  • New listings down 23.9 percent; pending sales down 27.9 percent

(April 14, 2023) – According to new data from Minneapolis Area REALTORS® and the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®, home prices flattened out and held steady from last March. The metro’s median sales price stands at $355,000. Buyer and seller activity are still down around 25.0 percent from year-ago levels.

Sales & Listings

In March, sellers brought 4,980 new listings online which amounted to 23.9 percent fewer than last year. Of those and other active listings that sold, half lasted fewer than 27 days on market. That may seem high compared to last year’s figure of 12 days on market, but it’s in line with 2018, 2019 and 2020 for this time of year. This is another sign that normalizing demand has had a stabilizing effect on the market.

“While we do still see some competition for the most desirable listings, buyers don’t feel quite as rushed as they did a year or so ago, and they are being more selective,” said Jerry Moscowitz, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “The challenge now is on the monthly payment side which has forced buyers to think more critically about their options and budget.” Buyer activity continued to decline in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s rate hiking campaign, which has increased the cost of borrowing notably. Last month, buyers signed 3,767 purchase agreements, 27.9 fewer than a year ago. It was a similar story for closings—the 3,156 closed deals in March were down 20.5 percent. Largely because of rising rates, home sales have now seen 10 consecutive months of double-digit year-over-year declines that started in June 2022.

This means that sellers have had to adjust their expectations. There’s at least two sides to every story, and what’s seen as a return to normal for some could also be viewed as a downturn from a seller’s perspective. Sellers accepted an average of 98.6 percent of their list price compared to 102.7 percent last year. Price negotiations have moved slightly in buyers’ favor. But overall, the balance of the market has remained relatively tight because both buyer and seller activity have downshifted in tandem.

Inventory & Home Prices

The increases in home prices have dissipated as buyer activity has come down from record highs. Bidding wars have eased but not disappeared. “Even as sales have slowed from record highs, motivated buyers are out there but not to the same degree as recently,” said Brianne Lawrence, President of the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. “That means prices aren’t being pushed up like they were. This is welcomed news for buyers, but sellers are still getting solid offers in a reasonable timeframe.”

The Twin Cities metro is still technically in a seller’s market, just not to the same degree as last year. There were 5,769 homes available for sale at the end of March, or 2.1 percent more than last year. Since buyer demand has waned and our inventory rose slightly, March’s month’s supply of inventory was up 27.3 percent. That meant we had 1.4 months’ supply of inventory at the end of the month. Typically 4-6 months of supply are needed to reach a balanced, neutral market.

Location & Property Type

Market activity varies by area, price point and property type. New home sales fell 6.7 percent while existing home sales were down 21.1 percent. Single family sales fell 22.0 percent, condo sales declined 28.9 percent and townhome sales were down 3.9 percent. Sales in Minneapolis decreased 26.0 percent while Saint Paul sales fell 21.9 percent. Cities like Watertown, Victoria, Mendota Heights, Blaine and Hudson saw the largest sales gains while Robbinsdale, Mound, Isanti and New Richmond all had notably lower demand than last year.

March 2022 Housing Takeaways (Compared To A Year Ago)

  • Sellers listed 4,980 properties on the market, a 23.9 percent decrease from last March
  • Buyers signed 3,767 purchase agreements, down 27.9 percent (3,207 closed sales, down 20.5 percent)
  • Inventory levels grew 2.1 percent to 5,769 units
  • Month’s Supply of Inventory rose 27.3 percent to 1.4 months (4-6 months is balanced)
  • The Median Sales Price was flat at $355,000
  • Days on Market rose 62.9 percent to 57 days, on average (median of 27 days, up 125.0 percent)
  • Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment
    • Single family sales decreased 22.0 percent; Condo sales were down 28.9 percent & townhouse sales fell 3.9 percent
    • Traditional sales declined 20.1 percent; foreclosure sales rose 11.1 percent; short sales increased 42.9 percent
    • Previously owned sales decreased 21.1 percent; new construction sales declined 6.7 percent

Mortgage Rates Decrease Slightly

April 13, 2023
Mortgage rates decreased for the fifth consecutive week. Incoming data suggest inflation remains well above the desired level but showing signs of deceleration. These trends, coupled with tight labor markets, are creating increased optimism among prospective homebuyers as the housing market hits its peak in the spring and summer.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

Weekly Market Report

For Week Ending April 1, 2023

The annual rate of US rent growth has continued to slow annually, with single-family rents increasing 5.7% as of last measure, the lowest level since spring 2021, according to Corelogic’s most recent Single-Family Rent Index (SFRI). This marks the 9th consecutive month rent growth has slowed, with Orlando, FL, Charlotte, NC, and New York having the highest annual single-family rent price increases, while Phoenix posted the lowest annual rent price gain for the period.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 1:

  • New Listings decreased 30.4% to 1,081
  • Pending Sales decreased 24.4% to 942
  • Inventory increased 6.4% to 5,815

FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY:

  • Median Sales Price increased 0.6% to $342,000
  • Days on Market increased 38.6% to 61
  • Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 3.6% to 97.2%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 44.4% to 1.3

All comparisons are to 2022

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

Mortgage Rates Trending Lower

April 6, 2023
Mortgage rates continue to trend down entering the traditional spring homebuying season. Unfortunately, those in the market to buy are facing a number of challenges, not the least of which is the low inventory of homes for sale, especially for aspiring first-time homebuyers.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

Weekly Market Report

For Week Ending March 25, 2023

Mortgage interest rates declined for the third week in a row, with the 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaging 6.32% the week ending 3/30/23, the lowest level since mid-February, according to Freddie Mac. The drop in rates has led to an increase in mortgage demand, with mortgage applications to purchase a home rising 2% from the previous week, marking the fourth consecutive week home purchase applications increased, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 25:

  • New Listings decreased 28.1% to 1,035
  • Pending Sales decreased 28.4% to 846
  • Inventory increased 9.2% to 5,799

FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY:

  • Median Sales Price increased 0.6% to $342,000
  • Days on Market increased 38.6% to 61
  • Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 3.6% to 97.2%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale increased 44.4% to 1.3

All comparisons are to 2022

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