The coronavirus pandemic is blowing up the Winona home-buying market in a good way.
In 2020, homebuyers in Winona County set a new record when they purchased a total of 717 homes, according to data from the county recorder’s office. Another record: 28 went for more than $400,000. Of those 28, six of them were sold in the last month, thus breaking yet another record.
“The total number of sales would be even higher if more homes were available for sale,” county recorder Bob Bambenek said in a report to the County Board on Tuesday.
The pandemic, having compelled people to stay inside their homes, is also compelling them to think more about their home and their dreams for it. In 2020 that combined with the practical trend of unusually low interest rates making it easier to take out a mortgage, Bambenek said in an interview Wednesday. New homes were constructed at a rate that was unprecedented in recent records, he said. Despite this, the market remains tight. If a seller h