Real Estate Update

Housing Supply Overview
February 2013

Let’s review what’s transpired over the past 12 months. For the 12-month period spanning March 2012 through February 2013, Pending Sales in the Twin Cities region were up 14.8 percent overall. The price range with the largest gain in sales was the $350,001 to $500,000 range, where they increased 42.7 percent.

The overall Median Sales Price was up 13.3 percent to $170,000. The property type with the largest price gain was the Condo segment, where prices increased 13.8 percent to $108,000. The price range that tended to sell the quickest was the $190,001 to $250,000 range at 103 days; the price range that tended to sell the slowest was the $1,000,001 and Above range at 245 days.

Market-wide, inventory levels were down 31.6 percent. The property type that lost the least inventory was the Single-Family segment, where it decreased 28.9 percent. That amounts to 3.0 months supply for Single- Family Detached homes and 2.4 months supply for Townhomes and Twinhomes. See the PDF below for the full report.

HSO Feb 2013

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

Interested in buying or selling real estate? Contact the Walsh Sisters.
We’d love to help you make your next move.

Ellen and Kate Walsh
612-220-3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

Coldwell Banker Burnet

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Why Sell Now? Here’s Why.

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Ready to buy or sell a home?
Call the sister team. We’d love to help you move forward.

Ellen and Kate Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
February 25, 2013

Here’s an oldie but goodie: All Real Estate is Local. We’ve all heard it. This is why industry insiders don’t pay much attention to national housing statistics. The national housing market is just an agglomeration of local housing markets. You don’t grab an umbrella in Miami based on the weather forecast in Seattle. So why would someone in San Francisco base a home sale or purchase decision on market data from Boston? Here’s your data for your local housing market.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending February 16:

• New Listings decreased 4.9% to 1,196
• Pending Sales increased 7.9% to 916
• Inventory decreased 31.0% to 12,309

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.3% to $160,000
• Days on Market decreased 24.1% to 107
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 93.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 40.0% to 3.0

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

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Ready to buy or sell a home? Call the sister team.
We’d love to help you move forward.

Ellen and Kate Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
December 26, 2012

As we celebrate with family and friends this holiday season, we can take comfort in the fact that housing markets across the country are reaching their own holiday milestones. Even though the trend is our friend, recovery can often feel piecemeal: fewer foreclosures here, improved absorption rates there and lower days on market over there. But, overall, we’ve struck a positive stride, and momentum has a way of accumulating. Here’s a peek at the week’s housing market data.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 15:
• New Listings decreased 3.6% to 773
• Pending Sales increased 10.1% to 762
• Inventory decreased 28.9% to 13,630

For the month of November:
• Median Sales Price increased 16.2% to $172,000
• Days on Market decreased 26.4% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 94.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 39.5% to 3.4

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

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Ready to buy or sell a home? Call the sister team.
We’d love to help you move forward.

Ellen and Kate Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

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Real Estate Update

Housing Supply Overview
November 2012

There was a lot to be thankful for this November. Home buyers can be thankful for ultra-low mortgage rates while sellers can be thankful for rising prices and strong demand. For the twelve-month period spanning December 2011 through November 2012, Pending Sales in the Twin Cities region were up 18.8 percent overall. The price range with the largest gain in sales was the $350,001 to $500,000 range, where they increased 41.7 percent.

The overall Median Sales Price was up 9.3 percent to $165,000. The property type with the largest price gain was the Condo segment, where prices increased 9.4 percent to $105,000. The price range that tended to sell the quickest was the $190,001 to $250,000 range at 109 days; the
price range that tended to sell the slowest was the $1,000,001 and Above range at 234 days.

Market-wide, inventory levels were down 29.4 percent. The property type that lost the least inventory was the Single-Family segment, where it decreased 26.3 percent. That amounts to 3.5 months supply for Single- Family Detached homes.

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

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Ready to buy or sell a home? Call the sister team.
We’d love to help you move forward.

Ellen and Kate Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
November 5, 2012

Over the course of the year, we’ve cleverly devised new tactics each week to communicate just how far the market has come. This week is no exception. Most level-headed housing advocates agree that lower residential vacancy rates are a good thing. Well, chalk one up for level-headed housing advocates, because Reuters just reported that the U.S. residential vacancy rate fell to 1.9 percent in the third quarter. That’s the lowest level in seven years. It’s just the latest installment of overwhelming bullish housing news.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 27:

• New Listings decreased 3.0% to 1,037
• Pending Sales increased 11.1% to 914
• Inventory decreased 28.8% to 15,700

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.7% to $174,625
• Days on Market decreased 28.5% to 101
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.1% to 94.8%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.8% to 4.1

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

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Ready to buy or sell a home? Call the sister team.
We’d love to help you move forward.

Ellen and Kate Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
September 24, 2012

On September 13, the Federal Reserve announced its third round of quantitative easing (QE3). This time, it took the form of $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) purchases each month. The goal is to bolster the stock market by diminishing returns on MBSs. This will make equities more attractive, which will provide capital to corporations, who should in turn hire and therefore spur consumer spending. If successful, that job creation and spending will resonate into housing consumption and reinvestment. New jobs fuel housing demand which alleviates underwater homeowners and supports home prices. Here’s how we rounded out the week.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 15:
• New Listings increased 4.0% to 1,360
• Pending Sales increased 18.4% to 978
• Inventory decreased 29.5% to 16,479

For the month of August:
• Median Sales Price increased 14.8% to $178,000
• Days on Market decreased 23.9% to 107
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.2% to 95.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 41.5% to 4.2

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

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Ready to buy or sell a home? Call the sister team.
We’d love to help you move forward.

Ellen and Kate Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

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Fall 2012 Parade of Homes

Parade of Homes (New Homes)
September 8-30

Remodelers Showcase
September 28-30

Homes open Thursday through Sunday, noon to 6pm

There are very few new homes on the Parade this year compared with other years. There are far more remodels. This is not surprising given the real estate marketplace of late.

We’re featuring these two St. Paul remodels because we recently had clients close on their new home in St. Paul and they plan to do some remodeling. They are seeking to make the new space blend and match the original period of the house. This is always a good way to approach a remodel and addition; big differences in the feel of spaces will hurt sellers when it comes time to sell.

839 Osceola Avenue, St. Paul

Here is a description of this project from the Parade of Homes website: “This kitchen and bath remodel in a historically significant house in Saint Paul’s Summit Hill neighborhood illustrates how to remodel the heart of a house without losing its soul. Next Level Renovation, with designer David Heide, replaced the 1980’s kitchen in this 1890 residence with a space that features period sensibilities and the latest amenities. The original house was designed by Cass Gilbert, the turn-of-the-twentieth-century architect, notable for his classic homes and other buildings, including the State Capitol in Saint Paul.”

683 Portland Avenue, St. Paul

From the description on the Parade of Homes website: “Come and see how the convenience of a modern kitchen blends seamlessly with a stately home in the historic Summit Avenue neighborhood of St. Paul. The three-story addition also provides an art studio, main-floor laundry/mud room, and a cozy wine cellar with tasting room. In collaboration with architect David Herreid, McDonald Remodeling proves again that you can have it all: character, style, and convenience in your existing home!”

Contact us for more information if you are considering a remodel or an addition and would like to discuss keeping your home and design as salable as possible. Visiting the Remodelers Showcase homes is a good way to meet remodelers and see their work in person.

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Kate and Ellen Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Urban

A rental building in Minneapolis and the patio created by the artist tenant

A creative environmental message in Saint Paul, MN

A torn lace curtain in a window of a home in St. Paul, Minnesota

Learn about the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge here.

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
August 6, 2012

For decades now, the real estate industry has been both humbled and invigorated by the strong and direct relationship between the labor and housing markets. As goes the economy, seemingly so goes housing. That relationship was especially clear after the 2007 recession. The economy added 163,000 jobs in July, the highest figure since February. Our economy is growing, but not as quickly as many would like. Meanwhile, inventory drops and surging buyer demand from renters and first-timers are anchoring home prices and giving sellers more power than they’ve had in years, in many cases.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 28:
• New Listings increased 8.3% to 1,430
• Pending Sales increased 20.9% to 1,149
• Inventory decreased 30.5% to 17,103

For the month of June:
• Median Sales Price increased 10.2% to $178,600
• Days on Market decreased 22.0% to 113
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.1% to 95.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 42.6% to 4.6

Click on any graph below to enlarge it.

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

For additional information on the market
or buying and selling a home, contact us.
We’re friendly, fun and professional real estate agents!

Ellen Walsh
emwalsh@cbburnet.com
612.220.3304

Kate Walsh
info@designhouse9.com
612.220.3309

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
July 16, 2012

With the second quarter now in the books, seasonal peaks and valleys should start to become apparent. Even if activity begins to slow for the remainder of 2012, gains are still likely when compared to the same time last year. Housing demand has been strong, supply levels have been falling and prices are turning a corner in many local markets. Keep a watchful eye toward market times, percent of list price received at sale and months of supply.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 7:
• New Listings decreased 21.9% to 970
• Pending Sales increased 24.6% to 892
• Inventory decreased 30.8% to 17,134

For the month of June:
• Median Sales Price increased 10.4% to $179,000
• Days on Market decreased 22.0% to 113
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.0% to 95.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 44.0% to 4.5

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
July 9, 2012

Summer heat waves roll across the north land as election season also heats up. Meanwhile, as the mercury and partisan rhetoric both escalate, residential real estate continues to show signs consistent with market recovery. For the current round of numbers, both buyer and seller activity levels were higher than last year at this time. Buyers have been taking advantage of historic affordability levels for some time, but renewed seller confidence is a more recent development and some would even call it an encouraging omen, as long as supply levels don’t exceed a prior apex.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 30:
• New Listings increased 0.1% to 1,414
• Pending Sales increased 20.4% to 1,194
• Inventory decreased 31.0% to 17,417

For the month of June:
• Median Sales Price increased 10.4% to $179,000
• Days on Market decreased 22.0% to 113
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.0% to 95.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 44.7% to 4.4

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Furnace Filters Become Art

Relief Circles by Louise Harris

I came across this art and met the artist, Louise Harris, at the “Fall into the Arts Festival” in Edina. I was first struck by the three-dimensional aspect of the artwork. I then learned they were made from recycled furnace filters. Talk about creativity and vision!

Can you see the undulating waves of the smaller circles over the larger circles in this piece? I loved both of these pieces when I saw them.

Here’s a sampling of her smaller works. Ms. Harris is producing unique, beautiful and green art; she‘s also donating profits to non-profit organizations around the world. For more information, visit her website:

lhoriginals.com – The artwork of Louise Harris

Edina Fall Into the Arts Festival – Sept 8-9, 2012

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
May 21, 2012

Houses are just things. Boxes waiting to be filled. In the hands of caring, nurturing citizens, those simple boxes become homes that create memories and fortify communities for generations.

This month, more than 13,000 REALTORS® rallied at the Washington Monument to preserve the American Dream of homeownership. Some components of the dream are being threatened by budget pressures and market realities. But homeownership is very much alive and well, as more than three out of five residencies are owner-occupied in the U.S. Moreover, buyer demand has been impressive throughout the year. As Franklin D. Roosevelt famously stated: “A nation of homeowners is unconquerable.” Our response in 2012: Fill the box!

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 12:
• New Listings decreased 11.8% to 1,485
• Pending Sales increased 18.9% to 1,159
• Inventory decreased 28.3% to 17,761

For the month of April:
• Median Sales Price increased 12.1% to $162,500
• Days on Market decreased 15.1% to 135
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 93.4%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 42.4% to 4.7

Click on charts below to enlarge.

Number of Pending Sales Continue to Increase Each Month

Inventory Levels Continue Their Downward Trend

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
May 14, 2012

If only there were a system of grand, colorful lights for tracking residential real estate. Green for rising market, yellow for a transitional market and red for declining market. Let’s see if we can try to determine today’s market without the ease of well-known signals. Prices are bottoming and starting to rise. Buyer activity is showing year-over-year gains. Homes are selling faster and closer to list price. Multiple offers are becoming commonplace. Inventory levels are leaning toward the seller. Green means go.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 5:

• New Listings decreased 6.6% to 1,643
• Pending Sales increased 41.9% to 1,232
• Inventory decreased 28.3% to 17,579

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.1% to $162,500
• Days on Market decreased 15.1% to 135
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 93.4%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 43.1% to 4.7

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Arched French Windows

Framing Art with Architecture

I attended an art exhibit one day. A glance upward brought this window into view. I found I liked this window more than much of the art hanging on the walls and displayed throughout the space below this window. (Photographed with a cell phone.)

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
April 23, 2012

Job growth, low mortgage rates, rising rents and a relatively inexpensive housing stock. These are just some of the playful teases in the burlesque revue that is today’s market recovery. Another week passed with buyers displaying no signs of slowing down. In general, sellers are discovering a less-intimidating scene, and buyers are reveling in the showy marketplace. As expected, spring’s warming glow continues to fuel optimism and consumer activity. But that won’t necessarily be
the case in every area or segment, so do your research before making that move.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending April 14:
• New Listings decreased 9.5% to 1,637
• Pending Sales increased 25.5% to 1,170
• Inventory decreased 27.8% to 17,384

For the month of March:
• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $149,900
• Days on Market decreased 9.6% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.0% to 4.7

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
April 16, 2012

Market sentiment can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Just as negative economic news sent a chill through the housing industry over the last several years, a newly confident consumer buying up excess inventory and further housing-related sundries helps stabilize and support home values. Some sellers are even starting to see rising prices. The numbers are beginning to reflect the fact that multiple offers on homes for sale are now more than anecdotal conversation between real estate professionals. For this week, new listings were down while purchase contracts were up compared to the same week in April 2011.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending April 7:

• New Listings decreased 19.0% to 1,411
• Pending Sales increased 15.5% to 1,036
• Inventory decreased 27.3% to 17,289

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $149,900
• Days on Market decreased 9.4% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.5% to 4.7

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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