Soaring sales prices have brought about significant gains in home equity during the pandemic, with the average annual equity increase for borrowers reaching $51,550 in the second quarter of the year, according to CoreLogic, which represents the largest average equity gain in more than 11 years. The rapid accumulation of equity may help homeowners who are behind on payments avoid foreclosure, allowing borrowers to access their equity and sell their home instead.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 2:

• New Listings decreased 13.6% to 1,547
• Pending Sales decreased 14.4% to 1,349
• Inventory decreased 14.8% to 8,440

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 11.1% to $350,000
• Days on Market decreased 43.6% to 22
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.1% to 102.4%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 26.3% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2020

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

The Federal Reserve announced this week that while it would keep its benchmark rate near zero, it was preparing to taper stimulus efforts put in place to combat the pandemic, including winding down its bond purchase program. Experts expect interest rates on mortgages, credit cards, car loans, and other consumer loans will rise as the Fed tapers its bond purchases. Looking long-term, The National Association of REALTORS® predicts the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to rise to near 3.5% by mid-2022, about 60 basis points higher than they are today.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 25:

• New Listings decreased 15.1% to 1,556
• Pending Sales decreased 6.9% to 1,377
• Inventory decreased 14.3% to 8,451

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 11.1% to $350,000
• Days on Market decreased 43.6% to 22
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.1% to 102.4%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 26.3% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2020

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

Despite increases in new listings in recent months, America is facing an epic housing shortage, with realtor.com reporting the U.S. needs an additional 5.24 million homes to meet current population needs, an increase of 1.4 million homes since 2019, as new-home construction has failed to keep up with household formations. Assuming the rate of household formations continues, the average rate of new home completions would need to triple over the next 5 – 6 years in order to meet current demand.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 18:

• New Listings decreased 10.5% to 1,736
• Pending Sales decreased 18.1% to 1,289
• Inventory decreased 15.0% to 8,287

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 11.1% to $350,000
• Days on Market decreased 43.6% to 22
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.1% to 102.4%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 26.3% to 1.4

All comparisons are to 2020

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