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Category Archives: Chicagoland Report

MRED Chicagoland Report for May 2016

We are in the thick of an exciting period of home buying and selling, often with quick multiple offers that are near, at or even above asking price, depending on the factors of the home and submarket in question. It was widely predicted that we would see healthy sales activity during the second quarter of 2016, and the market has not disappointed.

New Listings in Chicagoland were up 1.1 percent for detached homes but decreased 1.3 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 18.2 percent for detached homes and 8.8 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 7.1 percent to $237,000 for detached homes and 3.2 percent to $195,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 22.3 percent for detached units and 28.0 percent for attached units.

Although inventory is still being stretched thin in many areas, low mortgage rates coupled with higher wages have built a relatively sturdy housing marketplace. How long that can continue without fresh supply remains an important question, but conditions are seemingly good enough for serious buyers. With the current slow state of new construction for non-rental households, the road ahead could be tricky if demand remains high.

MRED real estate professionals can log into MREDLLC.com and click on the Statistics tab to get the latest Lender Mediated and Monthly Market Indicators Reports.  You can also click on the Local Market Updates choice under the Statistics tab and use our Interactive Market Analytics map for the latest local market metrics.

Any questions?  Please contact MRED’s Help Desk at 630-955-2755 or help.desk@MREDLLC.com.

MRED Chicagoland Report for April 2016

The housing market is being predictable, and that’s a good thing. At the beginning of the year, it was anticipated that the prevailing trends of the past year would continue into and through 2016, and that has largely been the case. The number of homes for sale has generally remained lower compared to a year ago, and prices have been steadily rising in desirable communities where homes show well.

New Listings in Chicagoland were down 1.8 percent for detached homes and 2.3 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 17.9 percent for detached homes and 22.3 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 12.2 percent to $230,000 for detached homes and 10.5 percent to $200,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 21.5 percent for detached units and 29.2 percent for attached units. 

There have been no striking changes to curtail what should be a decent run of home sales over the next several months. Mortgage rates have remained stubbornly and wonderfully low, the unemployment rate has remained at or near 5.0 percent for eight straight months and wages have increased for a great many people. New construction has been slow, and that may be a damper on sales, but the general outlook remains strong.

MRED real estate professionals can log into MREDLLC.com and click on the Statistics tab to get the latest Lender Mediated and Monthly Market Indicators Reports.  You can also click on the Local Market Updates choice under the Statistics tab and use our Interactive Market Analytics map for the latest local market metrics.

Any questions?  Please contact MRED’s Help Desk at 630-955-2755 or help.desk@MREDLLC.com.

 

MRED Chicagoland Report for March, 2016

Negative housing headlines should be read with calm or skepticism, not alarm. National housing trends, like the steady rise in home prices and decline in inventory, should certainly be observed with care, but tracking wider economic conditions is also necessary. Buyers want to get into the market, but unlike the rising-price sales environment of ten years ago, people are not diving headlong into risky mortgages or uncomfortable situations. This carefulness should be celebrated, not feared.

New Listings in Chicagoland were up 4.6 percent for detached homes but remained relatively flat for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 17.6 percent for detached homes and 16.5 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 6.6 percent to $210,000 for detached homes and 2.8 percent to $185,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 20.0 percent for detached units and 25.1 percent for attached units.

Employment figures are positive, wages are going up and employers are hiring. Consumers are holding for the right deal, even in the face of extremely low mortgage rates. As seller and builder confidence increases, we should see more activity in Q2 2016. The second quarter tends to rank as the best time to list a home for sale. But if inventory stays low, it will be difficult to sustain sales increases in year-over-year comparisons. Prices are seemingly not so high as to stall the market completely. Demand is present but an abundance of choice is not, and therein lies the rub.

MRED real estate professionals can log into MREDLLC.com and click on the Statistics tab to get the latest Lender Mediated and Monthly Market Indicators Reports.  You can also click on the Local Market Updates choice under the Statistics tab and use our Interactive Market Analytics map for the latest local market metrics.

Any questions?  Please contact MRED’s Help Desk at 630-955-2755 or help.desk@MREDLLC.com.

MRED Chicagoland Report for February, 2016

The primary story, both nationally and in local submarkets, is a dwindling months’ supply of inventory. The cure, of course, is more inventory. But new construction has been lagging during this opportune moment, and sellers of existing homes are not yet hitting the market in droves. The heart of the selling season has yet to begin, so we’re still optimistically watching for an increase in activity in the coming months.

New Listings in Chicagoland were up 18.0 percent for detached homes and 14.1 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 28.2 percent for detached homes and 25.3 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 8.6 percent to $189,900 for detached homes and 5.8 percent to $164,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 20.9 percent for detached units and 23.8 percent for attached units.

National housing starts were up by 10.8 percent at the end of 2015 when compared to 2014, and the unemployment rate is holding low and steady at or near 4.9 percent. Meanwhile, mortgage rates continue to astound below 4.0 percent and we have witnessed an unprecedented 70 consecutive months of

private-sector job growth. As consumers navigate their options, competition for the best available properties should be profound, especially if the market remains hobbled by a lack of supply.

MRED real estate professionals can log into MREDLLC.com and click on the Statistics tab to get the latest Lender Mediated and Monthly Market Indicators Reports.  You can also click on the Local Market Updates choice under the Statistics tab and use our Interactive Market Analytics map for the latest local market metrics.

Any questions?  Please contact MRED’s Help Desk at 630-955-2755 or help.desk@MREDLLC.com.

MRED Chicagoland Report for January, 2016

The natural ending point that is each December gives way every year to the optimism of January. This is particularly pronounced when the economy is strong and economists across the land are predicting increases in both prices and home sales. Granted, there has been some measured language surrounding the positive thinking. Although we are looking forward to a mostly decent year in real estate, it should be the kind of activity akin to a sure and steady life being lived rather than the jolt of a lottery win, which is just the way we want it.

New Listings in Chicagoland were up 0.8 percent for detached homes but decreased 3.4 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 10.4 percent for detached homes and 9.5 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 13.1 percent to $196,750 for detached homes and 6.2 percent to $163,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 22.3 percent for detached units and 24.3 percent for attached units.

Other than the change of another month and year, little else is changed in residential real estate both nationally and locally. Unemployment is solidly about the same, housing metric trends are running about the same for now and the sunny outlook is still at about high noon. Same is the sound of 2016, so get curled up and comfy with the song, because we are likely to sing it a lot this year.

MRED real estate professionals can log into MREDLLC.com and click on the Statistics tab to get the latest Lender Mediated and Monthly Market Indicators Reports.  You can also click on the Local Market Updates choice under the Statistics tab and use our Interactive Market Analytics map for the latest local market metrics.

Any questions?  Please contact MRED’s Help Desk at 630-955-2755 or help.desk@MREDLLC.com.

MRED Chicagoland Report for December, 2015

In 2015, national residential real estate, by and large, had a good year. Supply and demand were healthy, in an environment rife with low interest rates and improved employment. The Federal Reserve finally increased short-term rates in December, and more increases are expected in 2016. Housing markets have shown a willingness to accept this. Save for a few expensive outliers where low inventory and high prices have become the norm, a balanced market is anticipated for much of the country for the foreseeable future. Improved inventory and affordability remain key factors for continued optimism.

New Listings in Chicagoland were down 6.5 percent for detached homes and 8.2 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 15.4 percent for detached homes and 18.0 percent for attached properties.  The Median Sales Price was up 10.9 percent to $203,000 for detached homes and 3.5 percent to $165,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 23.2 percent for detached units and 24.2 percent for attached units.  Gross Domestic Product increased at an annual rate near 2.0 percent to close 2015, and that rate is expected to increase next year. Residential real estate is considered a healthy piece of the national economy. Contributing factors from within the industry include better lending standards and foreclosures falling back to more traditional levels. Declining unemployment, higher wages and low fuel prices have also conspired to improve personal budgets.

MRED real estate professionals can log into MREDLLC.com and click on the Statistics tab to get the latest Lender Mediated and Monthly Market Indicators Reports.  You can also click on the Local Market Updates choice under the Statistics tab and use our Interactive Market Analytics map for the latest local market metrics.

Any questions?  Please contact MRED’s Help Desk at 630-955-2755 or help.desk@MREDLLC.com.

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