Option 1: (Traditional)

Happy August! As summer begins to wind down and many families prepare for the back-to-school season, it’s the perfect time to take a fresh look at what’s happening in the housing market. 

National Update August 2026:

According to Freddie Mac, the national housing market continues to show signs of gradual improvement. The benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate remains lower than it was this time last year, while housing inventory continues to grow, shaping market conditions this month. 

Buyers: Lower benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rates compared to this time last year are helping improve housing affordability. Combined with increasing housing inventory, the outlook for homebuyers continues to improve, but modestly. 

Sellers: As housing inventory continues to grow, sellers may face more competition than they have recently. Pricing your home competitively and making a strong first impression can help attract motivated buyers. 

Local/Twin Cities Update August 2026:

As we close out the summer, showing activity in the Twin Cities is down 1.0% compared to this time last year, but buyers continue to stay active across a variety of price points. 

Buyers: Homes priced between $300,000 and $400,000 continue to attract the most buyer interest, making up nearly 28% of all showings. If you’re shopping in this price range, be prepared to act quickly when the right home becomes available.

Interest in luxury homes priced at $1 million or more is also growing, with showings increasing 13.7% compared to this time last year. If you’re shopping in a higher price range, keep in mind that competition remains strong there as well. 

Sellers: While overall showing activity is down 1.0% compared to this time last year, the slowdown hasn’t affected every segment of the market equally. The $300,000 to $400,000 price range continues to account for nearly 28% of all showings and has seen a 4.4% increase in buyer activity compared to last year.  Homes priced at $1 million or more have seen an even larger increase of 13.7%. If you’re selling in either of these price ranges, current market conditions continue to work in your favor. 

As we close out the summer, the housing market continues to shift, both in the Twin Cities and nationally. While national trends provide a helpful snapshot, local market conditions often tell a different story. Keeping an eye on both can help you make more informed real estate decisions. 

Option 2: (Humor)

Happy August! Back-to-school season is officially here. Don’t be surprised if your next trip to Target or Walmart looks more like a flash mob than a shopping trip, as parents dance through the aisles, checking off school supply lists and counting down the days until the kids head back to school. Dancing through the aisles or not, it’s the perfect time to take a fresh look at what’s happening in the housing market. 

National Update August 2026:

According to Freddie Mac, the national housing market continues to show signs of gradual improvement. The benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate remains lower than it was this time last year, while housing inventory continues to grow, shaping market conditions this month. If only my fitness and healthy eating journey came with stats like these. 

Buyers: Lower benchmark 30-year mortgage rates compared to this time last year are helping improve housing affordability. Combined with increasing housing inventory, the outlook for homebuyers continues to improve, but modestly. I wish temperatures would improve…even modestly. I’m tired of stepping out of the shower only to feel like I need another one. 

Sellers: As housing inventory continues to grow, sellers may face more competition than they have recently. Pricing your home competitively and making a strong first impression can help attract motivated buyers. Kind of like the strong first impression I tried to make at our first mommy-and-me class to attract more mom friends. Spoiler alert: I got awkward…again. 

Local/Twin Cities Update August 2026:

As we close out the summer, showing activity in the Twin Cities is down 1.0% compared to this time last year, but buyers continue to stay active across a variety of price points. 

Buyers: Homes priced between $300,000 and $400,000 continue to attract the most buyer interest, making up nearly 28% of all showings. If you’re shopping in this price range, be prepared to act quickly when the right home becomes available.

Now, if your budget has one more zero than mine does… 

Interest in luxury homes priced at $1 million or more is also growing, with showings increasing 13.7% compared to this time last year. If you’re shopping in a higher price range, keep in mind that competition remains strong there as well. If you’re buying a million-dollar home, congratulations. Let me know what that’s like. I’ve already accepted that’ll never be me. 

Sellers: While overall showing activity is down 1.0% compared to this time last year, the slowdown hasn’t affected every segment of the market equally. Homes priced between $300,000 and $400,000 account for nearly 28% of all showings and have seen a 4.4% increase in buyer activity compared to last year. Homes priced at $1 million or more have seen an even larger increase of 13.7%. If you’re selling in either of these price ranges, current market conditions continue to work in your favor. And if you’re selling a million-dollar home, I’ll be over in the $300,000 to $400,000 section cheering you on…while pretending not to be jealous.

As we close out the summer, the housing market continues to shift, both in the Twin Cities and nationally. While national trends provide a helpful snapshot, local market conditions often tell a different story. Keeping an eye on both can help you make more informed real estate decisions. Now go enjoy what’s left of summer…before pumpkin spice season takes over everything.

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