By David Arbit on Tuesday, February 28th, 2017
© MAAR 2017 | All rights reserved.

We have all heard the saying “everything eventually reverts to the mean.” No? Fair enough. There’s a saying that goes “everything eventually reverts to the mean.” It’s a way of expressing that, over a sufficient time period, a data set can only remain above or below its long-term trend for so long, but eventually should come back in line with historical averages or growth rates. Applied to our industry, home prices could only stay above trend for so long. Alas, the gravitational pull of market forces is a powerful and unrelenting wonder (with mostly measurable and rational underpinnings).

Take, for example, the graphic above which plots reported average home prices alongside 4.0 percent steady annual growth per year. Both trendlines start at the same point–the reported averages sales price in 1990. After the early 1990s ran slightly below trend, 1997-2008 way above trend, 2009-2013 well below trend and 2014-2016 slightly above trend, we are right back in line with where the 4.0 percent growth trend is. This is why some economists use a pendulum analogy when discussing market forces. Markets tend to over-swing “balance” or “equilibrium.” With so much momentum, they tend to move from one extreme to another, without stopping in the middle. We tend to lurch from buyer’s markets to seller’s markets to buyer’s markets and now back to a seller’s market.

Huh. Funny how that works. All the fuss, all the lost equity, all the subsequent appreciation, all those foreclosures, all the boom-bust cycles, all those debates about over or under-regulated wall street banks and mortgage markets and whether housing can go higher still and if incomes can keep up. And for what?

Home prices ended up more or less where they belong. We’ve reverted right back to our historical growth trend. The market is back where it should be had housing appreciated at a steady 4.0 percent per year.

It’s not just housing, commodity and capital markets that gravitate back to their long-term trajectories. Sea turtles, sockeye salmon and other members of the animal kingdom also understand the instinctual pull of home. No matter how far they roam, they travel vast distances to return to their original habitat–the environment that gives them a sense of familiarity and balance.

From The Skinny Blog.

By David Arbit on Thursday, February 16th, 2017

Right around the time when second-hand shops receive an influx of donated exercise equipment, we get our first glimpse of the year at our local housing market. Overall, it was a healthy and balanced start to the new year. New listings rose 3.1 percent to 4,304—the second strongest gain in nearly a year. Pending sales increased 4.3 percent compared to last January. Given the rush to lock in interest rates and close deals before the end of 2016, closed sales lagged slightly.

When it comes to inventory, the market is still feeling deprived. There were only 8,212 for-sale properties last month, 25.4 percent fewer than last January. That officially marks a 14-year record low for inventory. The median sales price increased 4.7 percent from last year to $225,000. Additional supply is a missing piece of this recovery and is critically needed. Competing bids on the most attractive properties are common in low inventory environments, and homes tend to sell quickly for close to or above list price. Average days on market until sale fell 7.1 percent to 79 days compared to 85 in January 2016. The average percent of original list price received at sale was 95.9 percent, 0.9 percent higher than last January. But the median days on market fell to 53 days and the median percent of current list price received increased to 98.9 percent. Given strong demand of late, the marketplace has only 1.6 months of supply—the lowest figure on record for any month since January 2003. This indicator measures the balance between supply and demand. Generally, five to six months of supply is considered a balanced market.

“Both buyers and sellers were feeling confident compared to January 2016,” said Cotty Lowry, Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR) President. “It is obviously still early in the year, but that increase in new listings was the second strongest gain in about a year. If that is sustained, we should be able to achieve the balancing act of steady price gains while maintaining our affordability.”

Though single family sales dominate the Twin Cities market by number, townhome sales showed the largest year-over-year sales increase followed by condos. Similarly, though previously-owned properties make up the largest share of sales, new construction properties had a much larger year-over-year sales increase. The most active price range over the last 12 months is $190,000 to $250,000 but the largest gain in sales occurred in the $350,000 to $500,000 range.

A thriving local economy has been conducive to housing recovery. The most recent national unemployment rate is 4.7 percent, though it’s 3.6 percent locally. The Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area has one of the lowest unemployment rates of any major metro area.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate stands at 4.17 percent, still well below a long-term average of about 8.0 percent. Marginally higher rates were widely expected in 2016, but the Federal Reserve waited until December. Expect about two minor increases in the federal funds rate in 2017—barring any unforeseen events. Job, wage and inventory growth are key to offsetting any declining affordability brought on by higher rates.

“The trick will be increasing supply enough to keep price growth at a moderate pace,” said Kath Hammerseng, MAAR President-Elect. “That will allow households to better absorb rising borrowing costs. Overall 2017 is expected to be another good year for housing.”

From The Skinny Blog.

By Erin Milburn on Tuesday, January 17th, 2017

The big story of 2016 was twofold: the median sales price reached an all-time high; while closed sales reached an 11-year high. Closed sales nearly broke their all-time record, but fell 0.3 percent short of their all-time 2004 high. Seller activity declined 1.1 percent. Near-record sales activity combined with flat-to-weaker seller activity created a supply shortage. Active housing supply levels fell to a 14-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 a 10-year low. Absorption rates fell to 1.6 months of supply at year-end, a record low. Foreclosure activity fell for a fifth 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.

2016 by the Numbers

Sellers listed 76,531 properties on the market, a 1.1 percent decrease from 2015
Buyers closed on 59,988 homes, a 6.2 percent increase from 2015 and the highest figure since 2005
Inventory levels for December fell 26.3 percent to 8,197 units compared to 11,125 in 2015—a 14-year low
Months Supply of Inventory was down 30.4 percent to 1.6 months, also a 14-year low
The Median Sales Price rose 5.5 percent to $232,000, which is an all-time record high
Cumulative Days on Market declined 15.8 percent to 64 days, on average (median of 33)—a 10-year record low
Changes in sales activity varied dramatically by market segment

• Single-family sales rose 5.1 percent; condo sales rose 9.5 percent; townhome sales rose 9.9 percent
• Traditional sales rose 10.0 percent; foreclosure sales fell 25.0 percent; short sales fell 31.1 percent
• Previously-owned sales rose 5.7 percent; new construction sales rose 14.9 percent

Poignant Quotables

“The most important achievement of 2016 was erasing the losses in prices and equity caused by the downturn. As sales surpassed their 10-year high, Twin Citizens demonstrated that they are just as committed to homeownership as ever. There are some manageable challenges, but a favorable affordability picture, attractive rates, job growth and wage growth will continue to sustain a healthy real estate market,” said Cotty Lowry, President of the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®.

“We reached some key milestones last year, and hope to continue with this momentum in 2017. It is a great time for those considering listing their home, as buyers are looking for more options. With median sales price at an all-time high, now is a great time to find out the current value of your home,” said Tina Angell, President of the St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS®.
From The Skinny Blog.

By Erin Milburn on Wednesday, December 14th, 2016

As Twin Citizens hunker down for winter, home buyers haven’t requested any time off this holiday season. Pending home sales rose 9.0 percent compared to last November and are at their highest level for any November since 2004. Closed sales likely reflect a sense of haste, as buyers closed on a whopping 25.2 percent more homes this November than last year. That represents the largest year-over-year increase in closed sales since February 2012, when closings increased 28.2 percent. Partly due to our lovely November weather, buyer activity this year fell much less from October to November than in past years.

Sellers were decidedly less optimistic about moving. Only 3,743 for-sale properties were listed on the market last month, 1.1 percent fewer than last November. Although home prices have reached their seasonal peak for the year, the median sales price increased 5.8 percent from last year to $232,000—uncharacteristically surpassing the $230,000 median price during September and October of 2016. Inventory levels dropped 22.8 percent to 10,706 active properties, which is nearing a 14-year record low. Additional listings are needed to address the current supply shortage—especially at the entry-level and first-time buyer price brackets.

Competing bids on attractive listings are common in low inventory environments, and homes tend to sell quickly for close to list price. Days on market until sale fell 16.4 percent to 61 days compared to 64 for the year so far. The average percent of original list price received at sale was 96.7 percent, 0.8 percent higher than last year. But the median percent of current list price received is 99.4 percent. Months supply of inventory fell 27.6 percent to 2.1 months—the lowest figure on record for any month since 2003. This indicator measures the balance between supply and demand in the marketplace. Generally, five to six months of supply is considered a balanced market.

“Strong buyer demand is still driving this market in a great big way,” said Judy Shields, Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR) President. “While it’s not unheard of for pending sales to surpass new listings in a winter month, it is relatively uncommon.”

While single family sales dominate the Twin Cities market by number, townhome sales showed the largest year-over-year sales increase followed by condos. Similarly, though previously-owned properties make up the largest share of sales, newly constructed properties had three times the year-over-year increase. The most active price range over the last 12 months is $190,000 to $250,000 but the largest gain in sales occurred in the $350,000 to $500,000 range.

A healthy Twin Cities labor market has been conducive to housing recovery. The most recent national unemployment rate is 4.6 percent, though it’s 3.1 percent locally. The Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area has the fourth lowest unemployment rate of any major metro area.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has risen to 4.13 percent, still well below a long-term average of about 8.0 percent. Marginally higher rates were widely expected in 2016, but the Federal Reserve hasn’t moved rates since last December. While “Fedspeak” is notoriously ambiguous, Chair Yellen recently gave markets an unusual amount of clarity regarding Fed policy. Expect a quarter or half point increase in the federal funds rate at their December meeting.

“Buyers are feeling the pressure to some degree but still remain sensible,” said Cotty Lowry, MAAR President-Elect. “Despite some interest rate risk and policy uncertainties moving forward, overall 2017 is expected to be another good year for housing.”
From The Skinny Blog.

By Erin Milburn on Monday, November 14th, 2016

Pending home sales rose 1.6 percent compared to last year and reached their highest level for any October since 2004. Sellers listed 5,249 for-sale properties on the market, 9.5 percent fewer than last October. Closed sales increased 0.8 percent to 4,791. That closed sales figure is between 2004 and 2005 levels. Although home prices have reached their seasonal peak for 2016, the median sales price increased 6.5 percent from last year to $230,000. Buyers are still frustrated by a lack of options. Inventory levels fell 19.0 percent to 12,625 active properties. Additional listings are needed to ease the current supply shortage—especially at the entry-level and first-time buyer price points.

Multiple bids on attractive listings are common in low inventory environments, and homes tend to sell quickly. Days on market until sale fell 14.3 percent to 60 days. The average percent of original list price received at sale was 96.9 percent, 0.8 percent higher than last year. But the median percent of current list price received is 99.6 percent, the highest level since 2005. Months supply of inventory fell 24.2 percent to 2.5 months—the lowest October figure on record since the beginning of 2003. This indicator measures the balance between supply and demand in the marketplace. Generally, five to six months of supply is considered a balanced market. Less than that indicates a seller’s market.

“Demand is still soaring while listing activity has weakened,” said Judy Shields, Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR) President. “Partly because of that, we expect prices to remain firm through the winter months barring any unforeseen events.”

The strongest sales activity over the last 12 months is in the $190,000 to $250,000 range, followed by the $250,000 to $350,000 range. Although single family sales dominate the Twin Cities market by number, condo and townhome sales witnessed the largest year-over-year sales increase. Similarly, while previously-owned properties make up the largest share of sales, newly constructed properties had a stronger year-over-year gain.

A healthy Twin Cities labor market has been conducive to housing recovery. The most recent national unemployment rate is 4.9 percent, though it’s a healthier 3.3 percent locally. The Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area has the fourth lowest unemployment rate of any major metro area.

Locally, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate stands at 3.55 percent compared to a long-term average of about 8.0 percent. Rates are still near their lowest levels in three years. Marginally higher rates were widely expected in 2016, but the Federal Reserve hasn’t moved rates since last December. Even though the Fed was widely expected to raise rates this December, market volatility could change that.

“Buyers are still very much motivated by the current environment, it’s weak seller activity that is holding this market back,” said Cotty Lowry, MAAR President-Elect. “As this recovery moves into its sixth year, it’s critical to remember that markets and economies are never ‘due’ for a decline the way the Cubs were ‘due’ for a World Series win. There is usually a reason.”
From The Skinny Blog.

By David Arbit on Monday, November 7th, 2016

For quite some time, NAR’s reports have shown that homeowners tend to stay in their homes for 5-7 years. Based on the data from NAR’s most recent Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report, that was true up until 2008. By 2011–just after the seismic shifts that rocked the market–owner tenure rose to 9 years and has been range-bound between 8-10 years since 2010. The current 2016 median tenure stands at 10 years. In summary, owning a home used to be a 5-7 year proposition, but owners now tend to be staying in their homes between 8-10 years.

The fact that sellers are staying in their homes longer since the downturn is partly responsible for our low inventory levels. That said, this is still a median, meaning that half of homeowners spend less than 10 years in their home. At first, a relatively large share of homeowners were underwater and thus couldn’t sell (not the case anymore). But then rising prices, historically low rates and an improving economy caused buyer demand to surge far more quickly than listing activity. That has created a situation where sellers are confident about getting strong offers on their homes quickly, but they’re hesitant about being a buyer in this competitive and under-supplied marketplace. Many are making the decision to stay and possibly remodel their current space rather than competing and possibly making full price offers or better on the most desirable homes.

Don’t expect quick resolution on the inventory shortage. New construction activity isn’t helping to alleviate the shortage because it’s not profitable to build at the entry-level or first-time buyer price point. We’re optimistic about things loosening up a tad come Spring 2017, but it will take time for the market to rebalance and regain its footing.

Although this recovery has sent sales and prices more or less back to peak levels, the hunt for equilibrium continues.
From The Skinny Blog.