For Week Ending December 29, 2018

Although the 2018 U.S. stock market had its worst losses in a decade, employers added 2.64 million jobs in 2018 – the best year since 2015 – as well as 312,000 jobs during December. In addition, average hourly earnings increased 3.2 percent, matching the October 2018 percentage that marked a nearly ten-year high. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent from 3.7 percent but is still historically low. These combined events give the impression of an economy that remains ultimately optimistic but is also recalibrating.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 29:

• New Listings increased 22.2% to 297
• Pending Sales increased 11.5% to 514
• Inventory increased 0.2% to 8,608

For the month of November:

• Median Sales Price increased 8.2% to $265,000
• Days on Market decreased 7.1% to 52
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.1% to 97.3%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 10.5% to 2.1

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending December 22, 2018

The last few weeks of the year provide an opportunity for buyers, sellers and real estate practitioners alike to spend time with the family and friends that make owning a home that much more special. It also provides a time to plan for the potential for marginal increases in average household wages, median sales prices for homes, mortgage rates and total available homes for sale in 2019.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 22:

• New Listings increased 11.1% to 469
• Pending Sales decreased 7.4% to 680
• Inventory increased at 9,053

For the month of November:

• Median Sales Price increased 8.2% to $265,000
• Days on Market decreased 7.1% to 52
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.1% to 97.3%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 10.5% to 2.1

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.

For Week Ending December 15, 2018

The U.S. Federal Reserve recently raised the benchmark borrowing rate to a range of 2.25 to 2.50 percent. It is the fourth increase in 2018 and brings the rate to its highest level in a decade. As a result, borrowing money will be more expensive, particularly for credit card purchases. Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that a rate increase at this time was appropriate for a healthy economy. Fed actions do not necessarily affect mortgage rates, but they can be influential.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 15:

• New Listings increased 9.5% to 702
• Pending Sales decreased 6.7% to 723
• Inventory increased 1.0% to 9,487

For the month of November:

• Median Sales Price increased 8.2% to $265,000
• Days on Market decreased 7.1% to 52
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.1% to 97.3%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 10.5% to 2.1

All comparisons are to 2017

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From The Skinny Blog.