MRED Blog

Even as prices rise in many communities, homes are selling faster now than they have in the past several years. This creates a situation where buyers need to move fast in order to secure homes, and they may have to pay more for them. While increasing prices generally coax more selling activity, there has been some hesitancy among potential sellers who worry that they will not be able to buy a desirable and reasonably priced home once they sell.

New Listings in Chicagoland were down 7.0 percent for detached homes and 3.1 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract increased 8.5 percent for detached homes and 4.3 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 6.1 percent to $244,000 for detached homes and 2.6 percent to $195,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 20.8 percent for detached units and 24.2 percent for attached units.

Low housing supply has already prevented an outright national boon in sales activity, despite a continuation of near record-low mortgage rates and an unemployment rate under 5.0 percent deep into 2016. The issue is not purchasing power. Many areas are falling behind last year’s closed sales totals simply because of lack of available inventory. As this continues, higher prices may put a deeper squeeze on the current buyer pool.

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.

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.

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.

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.