Minnesota ended the month with 19,008 homes for sale, up 7.5% from last year, while Twin Cities inventory increased 5.1% to 10,897 homes. Months’ supply rose to 3.3 months statewide and 2.8 months in the metro. Though modest, those changes are making a meaningful impact on market dynamics.
Buyers now have more properties to choose from, more time to evaluate options, and more leverage to negotiate than they did over the last several years. While inventory remains below historical norms and below a balanced market, supply growth is helping to relieve pressure throughout the market.
The rebalancing can also be seen in market times and seller concessions. Homes spent 49 days on the market statewide and 42 days in the metro, both increases from last year. Buyers are more cautious and don’t have the same urgency they had several years ago. Sellers also received slightly less of their asking price, averaging 98.8% statewide and 99.6% in the metro. These are still strong figures by historical standards, but they confirm a less frenzied and more balanced marketplace.
“Buyers have more opportunities and more time to make decisions than they did a few years ago,” said Danielle Bickham Pelton, President of the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. “The demand is there, but pricing strategy, presentation and condition matter more than ever.”