Minneapolis Duplex Market On A Stick

As the markers of summer’s end approach in the form of back to school announcements and food on a stick, the Twin Cities duplex market shows no sign of letting up.

Twenty-two duplex, triplex and fourplex sellers accepted offers the week ending August 9, 2014.  Of these, 86.4 percent have equity in their properties. There weren’t any spectacularly expensive sales, and just two pended at list prices below $100,000. So, on average, the group left the market at a final list price of $214,075.

During the same week last year, 21 duplex owners accepted offers on their investment properties. While 90.5 percent of them did not need to involve the bank in negotiations, they sold at an average price of $205,174. While this is below this year’s pended price, it’s important to note sold prices in the current market may be 3-4 percent below the listed price.

There were 31 new listings the first full week of August.  As has been the trend over the last year, most (83.9 percent) are being sold by traditional sellers. There were 29 new listings for buyers to choose from last year during the week, and just 72.4 percent of them did not involve distressed property sellers.

The single family home market saw the number of New Listings rise 8.7 percent for the week. Meanwhile, Pending Sales decreased 5.6 percent. Those two metrics moving in opposite directions resulted in a 9.4 percent rise in inventory.

During July, the Median Sales Price for a single family home in the metro was up 3.4 percent to $215,000. It’s important to watch the Months Supply of Inventory, as it is an early indicator of a changing market. That measure was up 15.8 percent to 4.4 months. This may signal the return to a more balanced market, which is usually achieved when there is a 5 – 6 month supply.

A return to a balanced market, where buyers and sellers are on equal footing, should slow outlandish price increases and return to the market to a more measured, healthy pace.