Real Estate Market July 5th – Activity Report

Real Estate Market July 5th

Real Estate Market July 5th – Activity Report

Real Estate Market July 5th

 

Weekly Activity Report

Here is our  Real Estate Market July 5th, 2020 real estate update. We are now in our summer real estate market. And it is summer that none of us has seen before. We have coronavirus concerns for our country and the Twin Cities. And how does that impact real estate? For COVID19 our industry is more one on one and not a business that has crowds or large groups. So, we are an “essential service” and we continue to do business in Minnesota regardless of shelter in place. Buyers are now driving separately to showings and sellers are sanitizing their homes before and after showings. Also, many meetings are happening with facetime with agents and lenders and their clients. Real estate closings have also changed. The buyers and sellers are in separate rooms. And only those essential to the transaction can attend. The title companies are also sanitizing before and after closings. We use virtual tours and lots of photos and that helps determine if buyers want to see the home. Limited open houses, if any.

 

We review real estate facts and trends

 

The trends

This time of year, the buyer pool should be growing dramatically. While we have seen that take place, the COVID19 and social unrest is limiting that growth to some degree, but still multiple offers are the norm not the exception. Our inventory of homes has yet to experience our spring increase. Our first-time home buyer market is active in most areas with small inventories of homes. That price range is $175,000 to $300,000 in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and area suburbs. So, what does that mean to you? Even in these times demand is high, and you need a good agent to guide you!

 

The facts

Facts are wonderful since they give us insight into analyzing the trends. Still, it is up to us to interpret them. Our current affordability Index is 148, compared to 141 last year at this time. So, the higher the number means greater affordability. Currently, our inventory of available homes is 9,871. In comparison, we had 12,781 in 2019. In other words, the inventory of homes for sale is down 22.8% since last year. In contrast, in 2008 we had almost 36,000 homes for sale in the Twin Cities. Lastly, our pending sales, which is those sold but not closed, is 1,594. As opposed to 1,542 pending sales last year. As a result, we have 3.4% more pending sales than last year. Our monthly supply of home is at 2.1 Compared to 2.5 last year at this time.

 

More facts

We all benefit as sellers when values continue to raise. In so a median sales price increase 3.5% is a positive number. And $294,900 is the median sales price in the Twin Cities area. I have found a powerful market indicator is the comparison of our sales price to original list price. Our average sale to list price is 99.6%. This compares to 100% last year. Equally important indicator of market strength is days on the market. Therefore, 41 average days on the market reflects a healthy real estate market.

 

Our current interest rates in the Twin Cities

Interest rates increase the affordability of your home purchase. Consequently, low interest rates are a real benefit to real estate market in Minnesota. In fact, mortgage companies love to provide mortgages to Minnesota. Because of our low delinquency and employment rates. But most importantly our low mortgage risk. Accordingly, we have some of the best mortgage rates in the United States in the Twin Cities. Our mortgage interest rates are about the same as last week. The rates are 2.25% for VA, 2.5% for FHA and 2.625% for conventional. Contact me if you want to talk to a lender with that program and rates.

 

My opinion of future real estate trends

We have seen many types of markets and trends in the last 30 years. But with the coronavirus concerns makes this an unusual market to predict. So, it is my opinion that we will have 4-5% appreciation in 2020. In addition, I predict the inventory of first-time homebuyer homes will not be insufficient to match demand. Also, the areas with an abundance of new construction will have longer marketing times for existing homes. Finally, interest rates will continue to be historically low for at least until the November election.

 

Your House and neighborhood real estate market

We find that each price range and neighborhood have its own specific trends and facts. In so if you are interested in knowing the specifics for your home…just call Jeff.

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