St Louis Real Estate News - Daily St. Louis real estate news, market analysis, home prices, and mortgage rate updates from local industry professionals.

Nearly One in Four St. Louis Home Buyers Paid Cash, but the Share Swings Widely by Price and County

By Dennis Norman, on November 6th, 2026

Nearly one in four St. Louis area home buyers,23.7%, paid cash for their property between November 2025 and October 2026, according to data from MORE, REALTORS®. Out of 34,948 closed sales in the St. Louis metropolitan area that reported how buyers paid, 8,269 were all-cash purchases.

For buyers, this figure means that cash offers are a significant force in the market. Competing against cash buyers can be challenging, especially for those relying on mortgage financing, because cash deals often close faster and with fewer contingencies. For sellers, a high cash share may mean more flexibility in choosing between offers, Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Reference Guide: Current Averages, Payment Impacts, and Loan Options

By Dennis Norman, on November 5th, 2026

The 30 year fixed mortgage rate stands at 7.22%, reflecting a decrease of -0.08% since the prior reading, based on national averages from Mortgage News Daily. While this rate remains at an elevated level above 7%, it is important for anyone involved in St. Louis real estate,whether buying, selling, or advising clients,to understand the practical impact of this rate environment.

How Current Mortgage Rates Affect Homebuyers in St. Louis

A 30 year fixed mortgage rate above 7% has a direct and significant impact on monthly housing costs, especially for homebuyers planning their budget or considering what Continue Reading →

Wentzville Home Prices Hold Steady at $389,450 as Sales Volume Grows: Market Update October 2026

By Dennis Norman, on November 4th, 2026

The Wentzville housing market continues to show stability, with the median sold price over the past twelve months coming in at $389,450 across 798 closed sales. This figure offers a clear view of the market’s overall direction, providing both buyers and sellers in Wentzville with a reliable benchmark. Notably, sales volume in Wentzville has increased by 7.8% compared to the previous twelve months, rising from 740 to 798 homes sold, indicating a steady flow of transactions in the area.

How Wentzville Compares to the Greater St. Louis Metro

For those considering a move to or from Wentzville, or agents Continue Reading →

Over One in Three St. Louis Home Sellers Paid Buyer Costs This Year, Here’s How Much and Where

By Dennis Norman, on November 4th, 2026

Should sellers offer buyer agent commission?

More than one in three St. Louis-area home sales in the past year included a seller concession, with 34.5% of all closings involving the seller paying part of the buyer’s costs. This data, provided by MORE, REALTORS®, covers the period from November 2025 through October 2026 and reflects a significant portion of the market where sellers are helping buyers with expenses such as closing costs or repairs.

For both buyers and sellers, this means that negotiating a concession is now a common part of the transaction in the St. Louis metro area. Buyers may find some relief in upfront Continue Reading →

St. Louis Home Tour Video Map Sees Over 9,000 Tours

By Dennis Norman, on November 4th, 2026

With 187,422 views, the video tour of 1410 Fournier Dr in Crestwood, MO tops the list of most-watched home tours on the St. Louis metro home tour video map. This map, which now boasts a total of 9,121 video tours across 314 markets, offers prospective buyers a comprehensive look at properties that photographs alone cannot provide. Video walkthroughs are particularly useful as they allow viewers to understand the flow of a home, assess the steepness of stairs, and gauge the true size of rooms.

In the past 30 days, 193 new tours have been added to the catalogue, with 28 Continue Reading →

Wentzville R-IV School District Home Prices Hold at $400,000 as Sales Volume Rises, October 2026 Market Update

By Dennis Norman, on November 3rd, 2026

The Wentzville R-IV school district continues to stand out in the St. Louis metropolitan area’s real estate landscape. Over the past twelve months, the median sold price for homes within the Wentzville R-IV school district was $400,000, based on 1,799 closed sales. This figure represents a stable market for the district, which also saw a 3.6% increase in sales volume compared to the 1,736 homes sold in the previous twelve-month period.

Wentzville R-IV Market Remains Strong Compared to Metro Area

For buyers and sellers in the Wentzville R-IV school district, the local market continues to show notable differences from Continue Reading →

What a Square Foot of Home Really Costs in St. Louis, From $144 to $385 Depending on Location and Age

By Dennis Norman, on October 26th, 2026

The single most striking number in the latest St. Louis real estate data is $385. That is the median price per square foot for homes sold in Ladue between October 2025 and September 2026, according to data from MORE, REALTORS®. In practical terms, if you are buying or selling a 2,000 square foot home in Ladue, you are looking at a price point near $770,000, just for the structure itself, not including land or features. For sellers, this means the value of every square foot is at a premium. For buyers, it means every additional room comes with a Continue Reading →

Parkway C-2 School District Median Sold Price at $429,000 as Sales Volume Rises, Market Update September 2026

By Dennis Norman, on October 24th, 2026

The housing market in the Parkway C-2 school district has shown notable stability and growth over the past twelve months. From October 2025 through September 2026, the median sold price for homes in the Parkway C-2 school district was $429,000, based on 1,949 closed sales. This represents a significant increase in sales activity, with volume up 8.0 percent compared to the 1,805 sales recorded in the previous twelve-month period. For buyers and sellers alike, these figures provide a solid benchmark for understanding the current market environment within this part of the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Parkway C-2 in Context: Continue Reading →

Trump Signs Executive Order to Lower Homeownership Costs, Including Mortgage Insurance and Refinancing Fees

By Dennis Norman, on October 24th, 2026

Trump Order to lower home ownership costs

President Trump signed a new executive order on October 22, 2026, aimed at reducing the cost of homeownership, and there are a couple of provisions that could make a real difference for homeowners, including here in St. Louis. The order focuses on eliminating unnecessary mortgage insurance, reducing refinancing costs, and making it easier and less expensive to build homes.

One of the more interesting provisions would require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, subject to approval by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), to establish a pilot program to automatically identify homeowners who have built up enough equity to cancel their Continue Reading →

Treasury Proposes Rules to Keep Large Institutional Investors From Buying Single-Family Homes

By Dennis Norman, on October 23rd, 2026

Treasury Ban on Institiutional Investors

Well, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is moving from legislation to implementation. On October 23, 2026, the U.S. Treasury Department published a proposed rule spelling out how the law’s restrictions on large institutional investors purchasing single-family homes would work. The restrictions are scheduled to take effect January 7, 2027, and could change how some of the nation’s largest residential real estate investors do business.

Back in March, I wrote about the ROAD to Housing Act and whether it would actually make housing more affordable. At the time, it had not become law. That changed July 11, when the Continue Reading →

Just 4.9% of St. Louis Home Sales Are New Construction: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

By Dennis Norman, on October 23rd, 2026

Just 4.9% of all homes sold in the St. Louis metropolitan area between October 2025 and September 2026 were newly built properties, according to data provided by MORE, REALTORS®. That means out of 35,349 closed sales during this period, only 1,749 were new construction homes.

This small share of the market has real implications for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, the limited number of new homes means fewer options if you are set on something brand new. Sellers of existing homes, on the other hand, are competing in a market where new builds are a minority, but they Continue Reading →

Six More MLSs Sue Compass as Battle Over Private Listings Continues to Grow

By Dennis Norman, on October 22nd, 2026

Well, it looks like the opposition to Compass and its efforts to change MLS cooperation rules is growing pretty quickly. Yesterday, October 21, 2026, six more multiple listing services joined forces and filed a federal lawsuit against Compass in the Southern District of New York. The MLSs include Arizona Regional MLS, Bridge MLS, Canopy MLS, REcolorado, Hive MLS and Doorify MLS. Like California Regional MLS (CRMLS), which filed suit against Compass earlier this month, these MLSs are asking the court to declare that their cooperation rules are lawful and prevent Compass from pursuing its threatened antitrust claims against those rules.

Continue Reading →

St Peters Home Prices Hold Steady at $330,000 as Sales Volume Rises: Market Update September 2026

By Dennis Norman, on October 22nd, 2026

The St Peters housing market continues to show stability, with the median sold price over the past twelve months coming in at $330,000 across 806 closed sales. This figure represents the most reliable indicator of market conditions in St Peters, as it smooths out monthly fluctuations and reflects a full year’s worth of activity. Notably, sales volume in St Peters increased by 6.5 percent compared to the previous year, rising from 757 to 806 sales. This uptick in activity signals sustained interest in the area and a healthy pace of transactions for both buyers and sellers.

St Peters in Continue Reading →

St. Louis Home Tour Video Map Surpasses 9,000 Tours

By Dennis Norman, on October 21st, 2026

The St. Louis metro area now boasts an impressive 9,045 home tour videos in its catalogue, offering a comprehensive view of the region’s real estate landscape. Video walkthroughs have become an essential tool for prospective homebuyers, as they provide a more immersive experience than photographs alone. These videos offer insights into the layout of a home, the steepness of stairs, and the true scale of spaces, which can be difficult to gauge from still images.

In the past 30 days, 218 new tours have been added to the St. Louis home tour video map, with 56 of those added in Continue Reading →

Another Major MLS Stands Up to Compass and Defends an Open Real Estate Marketplace

By Dennis Norman, on October 21st, 2026

Well, it looks like Compass is finding out that not everyone in the MLS industry is willing to give in to its demands. On October 20, 2026, OneKey MLS, which serves New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, announced it was rejecting Compass’s demands to change its rules regarding publicly marketed listings. OneKey joins California Regional MLS (CRMLS) and Texas-based Unlock MLS in standing up to Compass and defending the cooperative MLS system that has served buyers, sellers and real estate professionals for decades.

I’ve been following this battle closely and have written about Compass’s initial threats against Continue Reading →

St Louis City Home Prices Drop 6.94 Percent as Inventory Climbs, October 2026 Market Update

By Dennis Norman, on October 21st, 2026

The standout figure in this month’s St Louis City real estate update is a 6.94% decline in the median sold price for homes compared to last year. In September 2026, homes in St Louis City sold for a median price of $228,000, dropping from $245,000 in September 2025. This is not just a year-over-year dip, prices also fell 2.98% from August 2026, when the median was $235,000. These price shifts are drawing attention from both buyers and sellers, as the market adjusts to new realities.

Inventory and Months of Supply: A Market in Transition

For those considering buying or Continue Reading →

Franklin County Homes Sell for $277,200 Median Price as Inventory Climbs and Market Shifts, October 2026

By Dennis Norman, on October 20th, 2026

The median sold price for homes in Franklin County reached $277,200 in September 2026, according to the chart below, available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®. This figure marks a 3.82% increase compared to September 2025, when the median sold price was $267,000. However, it’s a slight dip of 0.47% from August 2026, when the median stood at $278,500. For buyers and sellers alike, these numbers underscore a market that’s evolving, with both pricing and inventory dynamics shifting as we head into the fall.

Inventory and Supply Signal a More Balanced Market

For those considering a move in Franklin County, the Continue Reading →

St Louis County Home Prices Up 6.78 Percent Year Over Year as Median Hits $315,000 in October 2026 Market Update

By Dennis Norman, on October 19th, 2026

St Louis County home sellers saw a median sale price of $315,000 in September 2026, up 6.78 percent from $295,000 in September 2025, according to the latest data. While this year-over-year growth is significant, the median price also reflects a 3.08 percent drop from August 2026, when the median reached $325,000. The chart below, available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®, provides a visual breakdown of these changes and more.

What the Numbers Mean for Buyers and Sellers

For sellers, the 6.78 percent annual gain in median sale price is a clear sign that St Louis County continues to deliver strong Continue Reading →

St. Louis Homes Sell in 21 Days Median, but Time on Market Swings Sharply by Price

By Dennis Norman, on October 18th, 2026

The median time a home spent on the market in the St. Louis area was just 21 days, according to data from MORE, REALTORS® covering October 2025 through September 2026. For anyone buying or selling a home, that number is the real benchmark of what to expect. It means that half of all homes sold in three weeks or less.

For sellers, this number is a clear signal: if your home is priced right and marketed well, you should expect to see serious offers within a few weeks. For buyers, it means that homes move quickly, especially in the Continue Reading →

St. Louis Metro Home Sales Up 3.66 Percent Year-to-Date: What It Means for Buyers and Sellers

By Dennis Norman, on October 17th, 2026

Through the end of September 2026, the St. Louis metro area has seen 26,661 homes sold, reflecting a 3.66 percent increase compared to the 25,720 homes sold over the same period last year. This uptick in transaction volume is a key signal for both buyers and sellers, indicating a subtle but meaningful shift in the local real estate landscape. For those actively navigating the market, understanding how these changes in sales activity affect inventory, competition, and opportunity is essential.

How This Year Compares to Recent Years

One of the most common questions from both consumers and agents is whether Continue Reading →

Compass Sues CRMLS: Is This About Homeowner Choice or Giving Big Brokerages More Control Over Listings?

By Dennis Norman, on October 17th, 2026

Well, as expected, Compass has followed through on its threat to sue California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS). On October 16, 2026, Compass filed a 49-page federal antitrust lawsuit in California, accusing CRMLS of unlawfully restricting competition by requiring publicly marketed properties to be submitted to the MLS. Compass is seeking substantial damages, potentially tripled under federal antitrust law, and a court order preventing CRMLS from enforcing the rules it is challenging. This comes just 11 days after CRMLS beat Compass to the courthouse by filing its own federal lawsuit in New York.

As I reported in my October 6 Continue Reading →

Fastest Selling Zip Codes in St. Louis: Where Homes Are Moving Quickest Right Now

By Dennis Norman, on October 16th, 2026

The St. Louis real estate market continues to show brisk activity, with certain zip codes standing out for their exceptionally fast-moving listings. Topping the list this month is zip code 63143 in St. Louis City, where homes are selling at a remarkable pace. With 15 listings averaging just 23 days on the market and an average asking price of $296,240, 63143 demonstrates the kind of demand that both buyers and sellers need to pay attention to in today’s market.

Top Five Fastest Selling Zip Codes

The data, compiled by MORE, REALTORS®, ranks only those areas with at least 15 Continue Reading →

Jefferson County Home Prices Rise 3.97 Percent to $301,500, Inventory Up in October 2026 Market Update

By Dennis Norman, on October 15th, 2026

Jefferson County homes sold for a median price of $301,500 in September 2026, up 3.97 percent from $290,000 in September 2025, according to the chart below, available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®. This steady year-over-year price growth shows market resilience even as monthly figures show a decrease from August 2026, when the median was $315,000. For buyers and sellers alike, these numbers underscore the importance of understanding current market dynamics before making a move.

Supply and Demand: A Seller’s Market, But with a Shift

With 841 homes currently on the market and 2,991 homes sold over the past twelve months, Continue Reading →

37.2% of St. Louis Homes Sold Over Asking: What It Means for Buyers and Sellers

By Dennis Norman, on October 14th, 2026

In the past year, 37.2% of homes sold in the St. Louis metropolitan area closed for more than their asking price, according to data from MORE, REALTORS®. With over one in three sales topping the list price, both buyers and sellers face a market that still rewards strong pricing strategies and competitive offers, even as the frenzy of recent years has cooled.

What Selling Over Asking Means for Buyers

For buyers, the fact that more than a third of homes are selling above asking means competition is still real, even if it is not as intense as it was Continue Reading →

St. Louis Home Tour Video Map Sees Surge in New Additions and Views

By Dennis Norman, on October 14th, 2026

The St. Louis home tour video map now features a remarkable 8,984 video tours across 313 markets, offering potential buyers and curious viewers an extensive look into the region’s real estate. With 201 new tours added in the last 30 days, including 56 in the past week alone, the map continues to expand its reach and utility.

Video walkthroughs have become an invaluable tool for homebuyers. Unlike traditional photographs, these videos provide a comprehensive view of a property. They allow viewers to understand how rooms connect, assess the steepness of stairs, and gauge the true size of spaces. This visual Continue Reading →

Affton 101 Tops List of Fastest Selling School Districts in St. Louis Metro

By Dennis Norman, on October 12th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan real estate market continues to move at a brisk pace, with some school districts seeing homes sell much faster than others. According to the latest data compiled by StLouisRealEstateNews.com, Affton 101 in St. Louis leads the pack with homes spending an average of just 29 days on the market. This ranking is based strictly on areas with at least 15 homes currently listed for sale, ensuring that the results reflect meaningful market activity rather than being skewed by a single quick sale in a very small area.

St. Louis Metro’s Fastest Selling School Districts

Here Continue Reading →

Nearly Half of St. Louis Sellers Cut Asking Prices, with Average Reductions Over $24,000

By Dennis Norman, on October 11th, 2026

Nearly half of all homes listed for sale in the St. Louis metropolitan area have had to cut their asking price at least once, according to a snapshot of current listings provided by MORE, REALTORS®. Out of 7,684 active listings, 3,290, or 42.8%, have seen a price reduction. The average cut is $24,842, which is 8.1% off the original asking price.

What Price Cuts Mean for Buyers and Sellers

For buyers, these numbers signal a market where negotiation is alive and well. With 42.8% of sellers lowering their expectations, buyers may find opportunities to purchase homes below the initial Continue Reading →

O’Fallon Home Prices Hold at $380,000 Median as Sales Volume Rises: Market Update September 2026

By Dennis Norman, on October 10th, 2026

The O’Fallon housing market continues to show stability, with the median sold price over the past twelve months holding at $380,000. This figure reflects a total of 1,409 home sales in O’Fallon, an increase of 7.8 percent compared to the 1,307 sales recorded in the previous twelve-month period. For buyers and sellers in O’Fallon, these numbers provide a solid foundation for understanding current market dynamics, especially when compared to the wider St. Louis metropolitan area.

O’Fallon in Context: How the Local Market Compares

O’Fallon’s median sold price of $380,000 stands 21.3 percent above the St. Louis metro area’s median Continue Reading →

Metro East Home Prices Jump 6.98 Percent to $230,000, Inventory Remains Tight in October 2026

By Dennis Norman, on October 9th, 2026

The median sale price for homes in the Metro East area reached $230,000 during September 2026, according to the chart below, available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®. This marks a significant 6.98 percent increase from September 2025, when the median was $215,000. Even compared to just last month, prices are up 6.73 percent from the August 2026 median of $215,500. For buyers and sellers alike, these numbers signal a market that continues to move upward, despite some shifts in activity.

Inventory and Market Balance: Still a Seller’s Market

For those considering entering the market, whether to buy or to sell, Continue Reading →

Missouri Statute Limits Real Estate Agent Liability for Third-Party Inspection Reports

By Dennis Norman, on October 8th, 2026

Missouri real estate licensees are generally immune from liability for statements made by third-party inspectors and experts, according to the statutory language of RSMo § 339.190. This provision is particularly relevant for buyers, sellers, and agents in the St. Louis area, as it clarifies when a real estate agent can and cannot be held responsible for information provided by outside professionals during a real estate transaction.

Key Protections for Real Estate Licensees

The most consequential aspect of RSMo § 339.190 is its broad protection for real estate agents against lawsuits based on statements made by professionals such as home Continue Reading →