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Category Archives: Chicagoland Report

MRED Chicagoland Report for November, 2015

Residential real estate is experiencing its best year since the recession. Housing demand is healthy, and that is expected to continue until the end of the year. Home sales are actually set to have their best national showing since 2006. More of the same is anticipated in 2016, but inventory and affordability challenges coupled with mortgage rate increases will likely keep any sort of monster growth in check. This should be a good thing for keeping home prices from increasing too rapidly to maintain economic stability.

New Listings in Chicagoland were down 0.4 percent for detached homes but increased 0.4 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 22.8 percent for detached homes and 17.9 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 8.1 percent to $200,000 for detached homes and 8.3 percent to $166,500 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 22.3 percent for detached units and 21.9 percent for attached units.

Unemployment rates across the nation changed little last month, which bodes well for an increase in buying activity. The national jobless rate was 5.0 percent in October, which was 0.7 percent lower than the year prior. Although housing and employment data are quite positive at this juncture, it is still certainly possible for listings and sales to be down in year-over-year comparisons. Bad weather and the mix of housing available to buyers tend to have a greater effect on trends at the end of the year than during the midsummer months.

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 October, 2015

Transitory periods in the market are common this time of year, and after a persistent period of steady year-over-year climbs in sales metrics, recent low national numbers have not fulfilled what many predicted. But on a positive note, jobless claims have also been at low levels, coming in as the lowest number since 1973. As always, every market and situation is unique, so some numbers seen in national trends may not always line up with local markets.

New Listings in Chicagoland were down 1.4 percent for detached homes and 1.2 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 15.3 percent for detached homes and 14.9 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 6.8 percent to $203,015 for detached homes and 6.4 percent to $167,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 20.0 percent for detached units and 19.5 percent for attached units.

Interest rates are an area to pay attention to as rate hikes are widely expected before the year ends. The Federal Reserve Bank has skipped two opportunities to raise rates this fall, but the final meeting in December will likely include a minor rate hike. Although we are headed into a slower time of year, as housing activity goes, there are still many nuggets of optimism to mine from monthly figures.

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 September, 2015

The third quarter of 2015 has ticked its last tock with the hands pointing firmly upon a reliable clock of a market. Although noon and 6:30 fluctuations are present even within the same states and cities, the overall tempo of real estate potential is experiencing a healthy number of good omens. The job market has shown continual improvement, jobless rates are down, real average hourly and weekly earnings have been up and there has been good news in new household formation.

New Listings in Chicagoland were up 0.1 percent for detached homes but decreased 4.9 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 19.5 percent for detached homes and 9.6 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 5.0 percent to $210,000 for detached homes and 6.1 percent to $175,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 19.1 percent for detached units and 17.8 percent for attached units.

With positive economic news coming from many angles, there are no imminent factors to prepare for beyond the typical seasonal drop-off. From the mouths of market-analyzing pundits, we are in the midst of one of the healthiest housing markets in the past 15 years. The one thing we were anticipating in September, an increase in interest rates, did not happen. It most likely will before year’s end. Until then, get out and enjoy the season.

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 August, 2015

Home prices were up during summer across the nation in year-over-year comparisons. With the economy on full mend, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen has predicted a fine-tuning of monetary policy before the year ends. In tandem with the improved economy, the unemployment rate for August 2015 remained at 5.3 percent for the second month in a row. It is widely believed that interest rates will go up before the year is over. Generally, this does not happen without careful consideration for the impact such a move will have on residential real estate.

New Listings in Chicagoland were up 2.4 percent for detached homes and 3.4 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 23.4 percent for detached homes and 17.4 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 2.3 percent to $221,900 for detached homes and 4.5 percent to $185,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 17.6 percent for detached units and 18.2 percent for attached units.

Statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development indicate that privately-owned housing starts in August 2015 rose 10.1 percent compared to last year to the highest level the market has seen since October 2007. This bodes well for the eventual landing of a flock of potential buyers currently holding in a rental pattern. As ideal summer weather diverges toward autumn, we will begin to see some seasonal relaxation, but the market should still look positive when compared to last 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 July, 2015

According to the U.S. Census, homeownership is at 63.4 percent for the second quarter of 2015, down 1.3 percent from the second quarter of 2014. This is the lowest rate of homeownership since 1967. To put that in greater context, homeownership peaked at 69.2 percent in 2004, and the 50-year average is 65.3 percent. Although the data may be indicating otherwise on a macro level, mortgage applications have kept REALTORS® busy through summer.

New Listings in Chicagoland were up 4.7 percent for detached homes and 1.3 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 20.1 percent for detached homes and 22.5 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 3.1 percent to $230,000 for detached homes and 6.1 percent to $189,950 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 14.8 percent for detached units and 16.2 percent for attached units.

Ever since the Great Recession ended in about June 2009, the market has strengthened to once again become a cornerstone of the national economy. Better lending standards, lower oil prices and higher wages are a few of the catalysts for positive change. Many trends continue to reveal a stable housing market. Federal Reserve Chair, Janet Yellen, has predicted a fine-tuning of monetary policy by the end of the year. It is widely believed that interest rates will go up before the year is over, an indicator that the housing market is ready for such a move.

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 June, 2015

The curtain closes and the first half of 2015 is a finished act. Monthly market analysis helps nudge the real estate story forward for a final bow. The orchestra (consumers) and conductor (the REALTOR®) are thanked. Metropolitan operas, er, markets across the country continue to improve and further perform at peaks not seen in years. Bad memories from that one lousy show known as the Great Recession are pushed even further into the past.

New Listings in Chicagoland were up 4.9 percent for detached homes and 5.5 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 22.2 percent for detached homes and 22.0 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 4.9 percent to $235,950 for detached homes and 8.3 percent to $195,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 13.3 percent for detached units and 12.0 percent for attached units.

Having six months of 2015 data in the books is great, but it is still just intermission at this halfway point of the year. Forecasting market trends can be as dicey as the weather, but with interest rates managing to remain low into the summer months, the outlook is promising, even if rates go up later in the year. Metrics like inventory and percent of list price received at sale are two of the better understudies to watch 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.

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