July 2009 Twin Cities Real Estate Market Video Update—Half Time Show for the 2009 Real Estate Statistics!

The year is half over and the Minneapolis REALTORS® Association's July Monthly Skinny, it a half time show worth viewing. The report, while not completely rosy, does show that the market has improved significantly since the first of the year. Lender mediated sales are a nearly half of the market at nearly 46% but traditional sellers are starting to get into the game on more and more occasions. Home inventory levels are continuing to move down; there is currently 22% less home listings on the market today as compared to the same time last year. However the total inventory is still in the 7 month range (a balanced market would be 5.6 months). The Twin Cities real estate market is much better than at the beginning of the year. With the $8000 first time homebuyer tax credit coming to a close, there is anticipation of continued activity in the second half of 2009 as well.






First time buyers hoping to take advantage of the credit really have to get moving or they may run out of time. Getting approved for a loan can take a few days but finding a home can take a while. Great REO, bank-owned properties and well priced homes owned by traditional sellers in the lower price points sell in days! A home priced under $150,000, in move-in condition will more than likely have multiple offers within a day of listing in north metro communities like Blaine, Forest Lake and Lino Lakes. I have received several calls from buyers’ agents on a listing I have in pending; “My buyers are very interested in the home, if the deal falls apart.” With little inventory coming on the market but more first time buyers coming in everyday, procrastinating buyers may be disappointed in the selection and frantic pace of the current market. Recently, every time I try to set showings of first time buyer/ starter homes in Ham Lake, Blaine, Hugo or the Forest Lake area, an average of 6 of 10 are under contract, had offers or were sold pending inspection.
If you are a first time buyer interested in taking advantage of the $8000 tax credit, don’t delay! I am continuing to field questions daily from excited first time Anoka County buyers on the specifics of this unique $8000 Tax Refund opportunity. (If you have a question call on the program, just let me know with a call or text to 651-336-7073 or just send a quick email.)


Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/