Milwaukee

With 2015 near, some are pontificating about a potential change in interest rates. With virtually no inflation, rates will likely remain low for most of 2015 but could flirt with 5.0 percent toward the end of next year. Construction permits and housing starts have upward momentum, which is news in some areas but familiar in others. Prices should continue their ascent but at a tempered pace compared to recent years, which helps preserve affordability for first-time buyers.

New Listings in the Milwaukee region increased 2.0 percent to 1,256. Pending Sales were down 22.4 percent to 758. Inventory levels fell 0.4 percent to 7,203 units.

Prices continued to gain traction. The Median Sales Price increased 11.6 percent to $182,500. Days on Market was down 1.0 percent to 83 days. Buyers felt empowered as Months Supply of Inventory was up 3.5 percent to 5.5 months.

It has largely been another recovery year in 2014, yet mortgage credit and student debt remain obstacles even as the U.S. leads the global economy toward recovery. As this recovery matures, many metrics are approaching a healthy balancing point. Rates have remained much lower than most forecasters expected, and inventory levels finally started rising in most areas as sellers generally listed more properties as a result of stronger prices. Job growth should continue and wage growth is expected to pick up.

All data for the market reports comes from the Multiple Listing Service, Inc. and is powered by 10K Research and Marketing. You can follow this link: http://www.metromls.com/support/Market_Updates/index.html or visit www.metromls.com.

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