There was a bit of March madness in the Twin Cities housing market last month. Propelled by more options and near-historic mortgage rates, buyers signed 5,301 purchase agreements last month, a 30.0 percent increase over last and the most in a decade, according to a monthly report from the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors. We're working on a full report, but here's a quick look at key measures.
- Closings: 3,907, a 21.0 percent increase over last year.
- Median sales price: $210,000, a 10.5 percent increase over last year and the strongest gain in more than a year.
- Average market time: 102 days, a 7.4 percent increase over last year.
- New listings: 7,887, a 21.4 percent increase over last year.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Business
Business
Sex trade to slavery: a UN agency says criminals reap $236B a year in profits from forced labor
Illegal profits from forced labor worldwide have risen to the ''obscene'' amount of $236 billion per year, the U.N. labor agency reported Tuesday, with sexual exploitation to blame for three-fourths of the take from a business that deprives migrants of money they can send home, swipes jobs from legal workers, and allows the criminals behind it to dodge taxes.
Business
The Bank of Japan ends its negative interest rate policy, opting for its first hike in 17 years
Japan's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate Tuesday for the first time in 17 years, ending a longstanding policy of negative rates meant to boost the economy.
Business
Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after Bank of Japan ups key rate for 1st time in 17 years
Shares were mixed in Asia on Tuesday after the Bank of Japan hiked its benchmark interest rate for the first time in 17 years, ending a longstanding negative rate policy at odds with the stances of most central banks.
Business
Famine is said to be imminent in northern Gaza as Israel raids the main hospital again
Famine is imminent in northern Gaza, where 70% of people are experiencing catastrophic hunger, according to a report Monday that warned escalation of the war could push half of Gaza's total population to the brink of starvation.
Business
UnitedHealth says it has made progress on recovering from a massive cyberattack
UnitedHealth is testing the last major system it must restore from last month's Change Healthcare cyberattack, but it has no date yet for finishing the recovery.