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Despite pandemic, this year is on-track for record-breaking sales

December 17, 2020 Tags: Market DataPress Releases

New Listings Flat, Sales Up, Price Growth Strong, Market Times Fast, But Supply Levels Extremely Low

(December 17, 2020) – According to new data from the Minneapolis Area REALTORS^® and the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS^®, the growth in buyer and seller activity in the 16-county Twin Cities metro continues to climb above 2019 levels. Seller activity rose 1.3 percent from last November while new purchase agreements were up 13.4 percent over last year. That marks the strongest November pending sales figure since 2004 and the highest closed sales since at least 2003.

This year, the fall and winter markets are behaving more like a spring market since activity was delayed from the spring and summer months. While sellers only listed slightly more units than last November, pending and closed sales were up significantly. Pending sales often act as a leading indicator of future demand while closings lag.

“The Twin Cities housing market continues to exceed expectations,” according to Patrick Ruble, President of the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. “Despite record sales figures, the lack of adequate supply—particularly affordable units—continues to frustrate buyers.”

Historically low mortgage rates, shifting work and learning patterns, health concerns and other factors are driving this sellers’ market. While all areas and price points are unique, sellers are getting strong offers early on. On average, sellers obtained 100.2 percent of their original list price—the highest November figure since at least 2003. At a median of 15 days, homes went under contract in record time, and 48.3 percent faster than last November.

“It’s truly impressive that sales would reach new highs during a pandemic and an otherwise challenging year,” said Linda Rogers, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “That’s of course meant rising home prices, but luckily, ultra-low interest rates have been able to partly offset that.”

Sales were up 21.5 percent in Minneapolis and 30.8 percent in St. Paul, suggesting buyers are eager to quickly snap up any new listings. And the competitive landscape means those buyers are often going above list price. With prices slightly lower, market times higher and offers weaker, the condo market continues to lag other segments. However, sales of luxury properties ($1M+) have been soaring higher—up nearly 20.0 percent YTD. One thing is clear: the housing market continues to outperform, despite the many economic headwinds.

November 2020 by the numbers compared to a year ago

• Sellers listed 4,035 properties on the market, a 1.3 percent increase from last November
• Buyers signed 4,640 purchase agreements, up 13.4 percent (5,624 closed sales, up 18.6 percent)
• Inventory levels fell 37.9 percent to 6,642 units
• Months Supply of Inventory was down 42.9 percent to2 months (5-6 months is balanced)
• The Median Sales Price rose 10.7 percent to $310,000
• Days on Market decreased 33.3 percent to 34 days, on average (median of 15, down 48.3 percent)
• Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment
  • Single family sales were up 21.3 percent; condo sales fell 2.6 percent; townhome sales increased 20.6 percent
  • Traditional sales rose 19.7 percent; foreclosure sales were down 22.9 percent; short sales fell 18.8 percent
  • Previously owned sales were up 21.7 percent; new construction sales climbed 4.8 percent

Sales outpacing supply, prices accelerate, core cities remain strong November 19, 2020

New Listings And Sales Up, Price Growth Accelerating, But Supply Levels Extremely Low

(November 19, 2020) – According to new data from the Minneapolis Area REALTORS^® and the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS^®, buyer and seller activity in the 16-county Twin Cities metro continue to outpace 2019. Seller activity rose 8.4 percent compared to last October while buyer activity was up 21.8 percent, marking the strongest October sales figure since at least 2003.

Buyers are motivated by expectations of working and spending more time at home and are also buoyed by historically low interest rates. That has resulted in a highly competitive marketplace where sellers get strong offers—sometimes above asking price—in record time and often with multiple offers. It has also caused inventory levels to plummet, frustrating many buyers.

“Buyers are still out in force, which is fairly unusual for this time of year when things typically quiet down,” according to Patrick Ruble, President of the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. “But the shortage of inventory and fast pace of the market are still keeping some waiting in the wings.”

Record-low mortgage rates, a desire for more space, a shortage of listings and Millennials aging into homeownership have all led to record-setting demand and rising prices among other changes. This is unusual during a recession, which impacts people differently. The mid-market move-up ranges and luxury segments have been performing better as salaried professionals have been spared much of the hardship. Conversely, many would-be buyers in the most affordable price points have been sidelined as they’re more likely to be impacted by job or income loss.

Still firmly in the driver’s seat, sellers, on average, accepted offers at 100.5 percent of their original list price—matching a high for any month going back to at least 2003. At 35 days on average, homes across the metro sold 23.9 percent quicker than last October.

“Despite some earlier challenges, Minneapolis and St. Paul are still seeing strong sales growth,” said Linda Rogers, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “They’re still quite competitive.”

For example, new listings rose 35.5 percent in Minneapolis and 22.8 percent in St. Paul while sales were up 47.4 and 28.9 percent, respectively. Demand in the core cities is once again outpacing supply. Downtown condos are still an area of weakness, but metro-wide sales of homes priced over $1M are up over 98.0 percent from last October.

October 2020 by the numbers compared to a year ago

• Sellers listed 6,816 properties on the market, an 8.4 percent increase from last October
• Buyers signed 6,249 purchase agreements, up 21.8 percent (6,674 closed sales, up 22.3 percent)
• Inventory levels fell 34.5 percent to 8,080 units
• Months Supply of Inventory was down 40.0 percent to5 months (5-6 months is balanced)
• The Median Sales Price rose 12.5 percent to $315,000
• Days on Market decreased 23.9 percent to 35 days, on average (median of 14, down 44.0 percent)
• Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment
  • Single family sales were up 24.07percent; condo sales rose 8.6 percent; townhome sales increased 17.6 percent
  • Traditional sales rose 22.3 percent; foreclosure sales were down 20.4 percent; short sales fell 6.7 percent
  • Previously owned sales were up 20.1 percent; new construction sales climbed 43.4 percent

All information is according to the Minneapolis Area REALTORS^® and Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS based on data from NorthstarMLS. We serve the Twin Cities 16-county metro area and western Wisconsin.

Real Estate has been considered an Essential Business, by the Governor of Minnesota, during the COVID-19 crisis. Cushman Realty continues with day to day operations, with some modifications out of concern for our clients and the community in general.

Here are some of the modifications you can expect:

• Open houses will be allowed based on the decision of our clients and their Realtors. There will be specific guidelines in place for the health and safety of our clients, our Realtors, and the general public viewing the open house. This will be placed outside on the door of any open house Cushman Realty holds.
• Only the specific clients on contracts are allowed in properties for showings (along with their respective agents).
• Masks should be worn.
• Hand sanitizing is a must.

As we learn to navigate the real estate market during COVID-19 and beyond, please know that Cushman Realty is following the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines, State and Federal government recommendations, as well as adhering to our real estate governing bodies which oversee the industry (local, state, and national). Rest assured that no matter the real estate market conditions, we will weather this storm while providing you the best customer service that you’d expect from your Realtor.

The timing of our relaunch is quite unique. Having been in the real estate industry for almost two decades, Cushman Realty has witnessed, weathered, and prevailed through the ups and down of real estate. As the real estate market ebbed and flowed from buyer, to seller, to the Great Recession, back to a seller market with limited inventory, and now the uncertainty of the COVID-19, and post COVID-19, Cushman Realty has learned how to successfully navigate the market by adjusting, adapting, and being flexible through the changing market conditions. We built a solid foundation with years of experience, knowledge, and expertise, along with hundreds of closed transactions to refer to, as we work to negotiate on each client’s behalf.

Where Real Estate Meets Your Needs has always been our core mission. No two clients or transactions are alike, and each client and transaction has specific needs required for the sale or purchase of your home. We are here for you as the market conditions continue to change.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by Cushman Realty’s first ever blog, and welcome to the relaunch of CushmanRealty.com!

We are excited to begin this new chapter and interact with you more frequently. Our hope is that you will find this blog to be informative, giving you up to date content about real estate. Cushman Realty’s goal is to make you, the consumer, as thoroughly educated as possible about the one of the largest financial decision’s you’ll ever make.

Please feel free to let us know what you’d like to learn more about, and we’ll be sure to get that information to you. Send us an email at hello@cushmanrealty.com

Once again, thank you for stopping by!