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

Why Buyers Become Obsessed With Homes They Haven’t Even Seen Yet

By Karen Moeller, on May 15th, 2026

How “Coming Soon” listings changed buyer psychology in modern real estate

A home hits the market as “Coming Soon,” and within hours buyers are already emotionally invested.

They zoom in on kitchen photos to see whether the appliances are stainless or paneled. They decide where the Christmas tree would go before they have seen the basement. They drive past the house at night to see what the street feels like after dark. Some know the listing photos better than their own family albums by the time the first showing starts.

And increasingly, buyers are competing emotionally long before Continue Reading →

Jefferson County Real Estate Market Update: May 2026

By Dennis Norman, on May 15th, 2026

The Jefferson County real estate market showed a modest increase in home values in April 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $289,950, marking a 0.68% rise from April 2025’s median of $288,000. However, this is a slight decrease of 1.71% from March 2026, when the median sold price was $295,000. Meanwhile, the median list price in April 2026 was $324,900, a significant 12.03% increase from $290,000 in April 2025. The number of homes sold also rose, with 248 sales in April 2026, a 6.44% increase from 233 sales in April 2025. For a detailed visual representation of these Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Surge in May 2026: 30-Year Fixed Hits 6.57%, 15-Year Climbs to 6.07%

By Dennis Norman, on May 14th, 2026

As of May 14, 2026, St. Louis homebuyers are witnessing a notable uptick in mortgage rates, with the 30-year fixed rate now standing at 6.57%, marking a 0.01% increase since the last report. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed rate saw a more substantial rise of 0.03%, reaching 6.07%. These increases contribute to an overall rising trend in the mortgage landscape, impacting various loan categories including the 30-year FHA and Jumbo rates, as well as the 7/6 SOFR ARM, which now stands at 6.32%.

This escalation in mortgage rates presents significant implications for both buyers and sellers in the St. Louis area. Continue Reading →

The Loan Is Assumable. The Equity Usually Isn’t.

By Karen Moeller, on May 14th, 2026

A buyer finds a home with a 3% assumable mortgage and immediately starts doing the math. At today’s interest rates, the monthly payment difference can look enormous. Suddenly, a house that may have felt financially out of reach starts seeming possible again.

Then comes the part many buyers do not expect: the low interest rate may be assumable, but the seller’s equity usually is not. For many buyers, that is the moment the excitement changes.

In a market where affordability has become one of the biggest obstacles facing buyers, low-rate assumable loans have started attracting attention that they Continue Reading →

Zillow’s New “Hidden Listings” Study Has Some Truth, But The Headlines Deserve A Closer Look

By Dennis Norman, on May 14th, 2026

Selling with one agent on both sides cost home sellers $1.49 billion over three years

Zillow dropped a new press release this week claiming home sellers lost billions from dual agency and off market listings and, as expected, the headlines were designed to make it sound like the sky is falling. The actual data, however, tells a much more nuanced story than the press release would lead consumers to believe.

First, let me be clear, I have never been a fan of true dual agency where one agent attempts to represent both buyer and seller equally. In my opinion, that arrangement creates inherent conflicts and probably should not even be legal. Continue Reading →

Data Centers Are Coming To St. Louis…But Are They Really The Economic Jackpot Communities Think They Are?

By Dennis Norman, on May 13th, 2026

Over the past couple of years, data centers have quietly gone from being something most people never thought much about to suddenly becoming one of the hottest topics in economic development, utilities, AI, commercial real estate and even residential real estate. Around the country, cities and counties are aggressively competing for these projects, often offering massive tax incentives while promoting them as the future of economic growth and technology infrastructure, while at the same time, more communities are starting to push back and ask whether the benefits are really as large as advertised and whether taxpayers and residents are ultimately Continue Reading →

The House Was ‘Under Contract.’ So Why Is It for Sale Again?

By Karen Moeller, on May 13th, 2026

One of the more confusing moments for many homebuyers happens when they find a house they love online, only to discover it is already “under contract.”

Most buyers assume that means the home is effectively sold.

Not necessarily.

In real estate, “under contract” often means a transaction has started, not that it is guaranteed to close. Between accepted offer and closing sits a stretch of inspections, financing approvals, appraisals, title work, contingencies, and deadlines where deals can still fall apart.

And sometimes, they do.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®’ REALTORS® Confidence Index, approximately Continue Reading →

Zillow’s Bombshell Lawsuit Against Compass and MRED Puts Private Listings Under Fire

By Dennis Norman, on May 12th, 2026

Zillow has filed a major federal antitrust lawsuit against MRED and Compass that could have far-reaching implications for private listings, MLS control and consumer access to homes for sale. The suit, filed in federal court in Chicago, accuses MRED and Compass of conspiring to block Zillow from enforcing its Listing Access Standards, policies Zillow adopted to limit the display of listings that were privately marketed before being entered into the MLS.

The lawsuit centers around private listing networks, or PLNs, which have become increasingly common since NAR weakened its Clear Cooperation Policy earlier this year. Compass has been one of Continue Reading →

Can You Fight a FEMA Flood Zone? Yes. But It’s Not Simple.

By Karen Moeller, on May 12th, 2026

Few words create panic for homebuyers faster than “flood zone.” Sometimes the concern comes from insurance costs. Sometimes it comes from lending requirements. And sometimes it comes from the assumption that a flood zone designation automatically means a property floods regularly.

That last part is where many buyers get confused.

FEMA flood maps are not predictions about whether a specific home will flood tomorrow. They are risk models based on elevation data, topography, drainage patterns, historical information, and projected flood behavior. Like any large-scale risk model, flood maps are periodically updated and refined as new data becomes available.

Continue Reading →

Discover the Fastest Selling School Districts in the St. Louis Metro Area

By Dennis Norman, on May 12th, 2026

In the dynamic real estate market of the St. Louis metropolitan area, certain school districts are experiencing rapid sales, making them highly sought after by families and investors alike. Leading the charge is the NORTH WAMAC DIST 186 in Washington, where homes are flying off the market in just 6 days on average. With an active listing priced at an accessible $5,000, this district offers a unique opportunity for those looking to invest or settle in a quickly appreciating area.

Following closely is the NORTHWESTERN DIST 2 in Macoupin, Illinois, where homes are selling in an average of 9 days. Continue Reading →

Why Some Cities Require Occupancy Inspections … And Others Don’t

By Karen Moeller, on May 11th, 2026

One of the more confusing moments for many St. Louis homebuyers happens shortly before closing, when they learn the municipality wants to inspect the property before anyone can move in.

Then comes the obvious question:

Why does one city require an occupancy inspection while the next one doesn’t?

The answer has less to do with real estate contracts and more to do with how local governments approach housing safety, property maintenance, and code enforcement.

Occupancy inspections developed largely in older municipalities as a way to identify issues involving electrical systems, plumbing, structural concerns, overcrowding, or deferred Continue Reading →

Metro East Real Estate Market Sees Significant Growth in May 2026

By Dennis Norman, on May 10th, 2026

The Metro East real estate market has experienced notable growth as of May 2026, with homes selling for a median price of $212,500 in April. This marks an impressive 11.55% increase from April 2025, when the median sold price was $190,501. Additionally, the median sold price in April 2026 reflects a 6.25% rise from March 2026, when it stood at $200,000. The median list price also saw an increase, reaching $230,000, up 9.52% from $210,000 in April 2025.

The number of home sales in the Metro East area has risen as well, with 689 homes sold in April 2026, a Continue Reading →

May 2026 Real Estate Market Update: St. Charles County Sees Shifts in Home Prices and Sales

By Dennis Norman, on May 8th, 2026

The real estate market in St. Charles County experienced notable changes in April 2026, with homes selling for a median price of $364,500. This marks a 2.39% increase from April 2025, where the median sold price was $356,000. However, when compared to March 2026, April’s median sold price represents a 2.80% decrease from $375,000. The median list price in April 2026 was $419,900, showing a significant rise of 15.04% from $365,000 in April 2025.

In terms of sales volume, there were 484 home sales in April 2026, a slight decline of 3.01% from the 499 homes sold in April Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Drop to 6.44% in May 2026 – 7/6 SOFR ARM Sees Significant Decline

By Dennis Norman, on May 7th, 2026

St. Louis homebuyers are witnessing a favorable shift as mortgage rates trend downward this May 2026. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage has decreased by 0.10%, settling at 6.44%, which remains moderately above the 6% threshold. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed rate has seen a slight decrease to 6.00%, down by 0.04%. The most notable change is observed in the 7/6 SOFR Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), which experienced a significant drop, now standing at 6.11%.

For buyers in the St. Louis area, these falling rates translate into potentially lower monthly payments and increased purchasing power. Sellers might see an uptick in interest Continue Reading →

May 2026 St. Louis MSA Real Estate Market Update: Rising Home Prices and Sales

By Dennis Norman, on May 7th, 2026

The St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) real estate market continues to show strength as of May 2026, with notable increases in both home prices and sales volume. In April 2026, homes in the St. Louis MSA sold for a median price of $285,000, marking a 3.64% rise from the median price of $275,000 recorded in April 2025. This growth also represents a modest 0.71% increase from March 2026, when the median sold price was $283,000.

The median list price in April 2026 reached $305,000, up 7.02% from $285,000 in April 2025, indicating a strong demand in the local real Continue Reading →

Why Some Homes Sit… Even When They’re Priced Right And What Most Sellers Miss About Demand

By Karen Moeller, on May 5th, 2026

Drive through parts of St. Louis this week and you will see it in real time. Patios fill up, sidewalks get busier, and restaurants and shops pull people in without much effort. Cinco de Mayo, at least as it is widely celebrated here, puts something on display that matters in real estate far beyond a single day.

Some places attract people naturally. Others have to work for attention.

In real estate, when a home does not sell quickly, the default explanation is usually price. If it is not price, then it must be condition or marketing. Those are Continue Reading →

You Can Have Chickens… Right? Why Backyard Chickens Aren’t as Simple as They Sound

By Karen Moeller, on May 4th, 2026

Backyard chickens are often treated as a simple lifestyle choice. In reality, they’re one of the fastest ways for a homeowner to discover how many layers of control exist over how property can be used. The assumption is straightforward: if you own the property, you should be able to decide how to use it. That assumption tends to hold, until it doesn’t. Chickens are where it often breaks down.

What seems like a small, personal decision quickly runs into a layered set of local rules, zoning restrictions, and legal limitations that vary not just by state, but by municipality and even Continue Reading →

Can Your Neighbors Stop You From Using Your Own Property? What Kirkwood’s Recent Dispute Reveals

By Karen Moeller, on May 3rd, 2026

Most homeowners assume that once they buy a property, they have control over what happens on it. In reality, that control exists within a system of rules that often don’t come into focus until something forces the issue.

That moment can be bigger, like the recent effort in Kirkwood to stop the demolition of a historic home. Or it can be something far more routine. A property condition that has existed for years, something as simple as how materials are stored or where they are placed, suddenly draws attention. A notice arrives outlining specific requirements and a timeline to Continue Reading →

Manufacturing Is Coming Back… But Not Where Most People Think

By Karen Moeller, on May 2nd, 2026

There has been a growing wave of reporting and investment announcements pointing to a return of manufacturing activity to the U.S., with over $1.5 trillion in projects announced since 2025.

On the surface, that sounds like the kind of shift that should dramatically reshape local real estate markets. More jobs, more demand, rising home prices. It is an easy story to tell, but reality is more complicated.

Manufacturing is coming back, but it does not look like it did a generation ago, and it does not impact housing the way many people expect.

Modern manufacturing facilities are smaller, Continue Reading →

What You’re Missing When You Look at a Home Online

By Karen Moeller, on May 1st, 2026

A listing tells you everything… until it doesn’t.

It does not take long for most buyers to form an opinion about a home they find online. A quick look at the price, a scroll through the photos, and within a minute or less, a decision starts to take shape.

If you want to see how quickly that happens, pull up any home and look at it the way you normally would:

👉 St Louis Real Estate Search

At first glance, the information feels complete. The price is there, the photos are polished, and the basic details appear straightforward. It gives Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Surge to 6.50% in April 2026 – Buyers Face Rising Costs

By Dennis Norman, on April 30th, 2026

In April 2026, St. Louis homebuyers are witnessing a significant uptick in mortgage rates, with the 30-year fixed rate climbing to 6.50%, marking a 0.12% increase. The 15-year fixed rate also rose, now standing at 6.03% after a 0.09% hike. These increases signal a rising trend across the board, affecting all major mortgage categories including 30-year jumbo, FHA, and VA loans. The adjustable rate (7/6 SOFR ARM) similarly saw a rise to 6.12%, indicating a broad upward movement in borrowing costs.

For potential buyers and sellers in the St. Louis area, these rate hikes could impact purchasing power and market Continue Reading →

I Found a House I Loved… Then I Checked the Flood Map

By Karen Moeller, on April 29th, 2026

It rained hard last night.

The kind of rain that makes you pause for a second and wonder where all that water actually goes. Most of the time, it’s just background noise. But if you’re in the middle of buying a home in St. Louis, that question starts to matter a lot more.

Because somewhere between the showing and the offer, there’s a moment buyers don’t always expect.

It usually goes like this.

You find a house you love. The layout works. The price feels right. Maybe it even backs up to water or sits just close enough to feel Continue Reading →

St. Louis Tax Sale Guide: What Most Buyers and Homeowners Get Wrong

By Karen Moeller, on April 29th, 2026

Every year around tax time, I start hearing the same question.

Can you really buy a house at a tax sale for next to nothing?

It is one of those ideas that sounds simple on the surface. A homeowner falls behind on property taxes, the property goes to auction, and someone else buys it.

In reality, the process is far more layered, and the biggest misunderstandings tend to show up right at the point where timing matters most.

What People Think Happens

Most people assume a tax sale works like a traditional sale. The home is listed, it is Continue Reading →

No Income Tax? What Missouri’s New Tax Proposal Could Mean for Home Buyers and Sellers

By Karen Moeller, on April 28th, 2026

A look at how HJR 173/174 could shift where real estate transaction costs show up

No income tax. That tends to get people’s attention. But money has a way of finding its way back into the equation, just through a different door.

In real estate, the more useful question is not whether taxes go away. It is where they show up next.

Missouri is currently exploring that exact shift. Through House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, the state is considering a path to gradually eliminate income tax. For those who want to review the actual language, you can find Continue Reading →

A Real Estate Contract Can Bind You. That Doesn’t Mean It Protects You.

By Karen Moeller, on April 26th, 2026

It is not particularly difficult to create a binding real estate agreement.

Two parties can agree on terms, put them in writing, and sign. At that point, there is a contract.

What is much harder, and far more important, is understanding whether that contract actually protects you.

Buying or selling a home can look surprisingly straightforward from the outside. There are forms. There are signatures. There is a process that appears structured enough that, with the right documents, it might feel manageable to handle on your own.

That assumption is not limited to inexperienced buyers or Continue Reading →

Lead Paint Was Banned Decades Ago. So Why Is It Still Part of Buying and Selling a Home?

By Karen Moeller, on April 25th, 2026

“Why are we still dealing with this form? Lead paint was banned more than 50 years ago.”

It’s a fair question. It’s also based on a misunderstanding.

Most people hear “lead paint” and picture a kid eating paint chips off a windowsill in 1963.

The assumption is understandable. Lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978, and most homes have been painted over multiple times since then. The dramatic stories that shaped public awareness largely faded decades ago. It would be easy to assume the issue faded with them. It’s one of the only disclosures that isn’t Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Dip Slightly in April 2026: 30-Year Fixed Sits at 6.32%

By Dennis Norman, on April 23rd, 2026

St. Louis homebuyers have a small reason to celebrate as mortgage rates continue their downward trend this April 2026. According to the latest data, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate now stands at 6.32%, a subtle decrease of 0.01% from the previous rate. Additionally, the 15-year fixed rate has dropped by 0.02%, now at 5.90%. However, not all rates followed this downward trajectory; the 30-year Jumbo rate saw a slight increase, reaching 6.52%, while the adjustable rate (7/6 SOFR ARM) has risen to 5.97%.

For St. Louis buyers and sellers, these changes present a mixed bag of opportunities and challenges. The Continue Reading →

St. Louis City Real Estate Market Sees Strong Growth in April 2026

By Dennis Norman, on April 21st, 2026

The St. Louis City real estate market experienced significant growth in March 2026, with homes selling for a median price of $240,000. This represents a 9.09% increase from March 2025, when the median sold price was $220,000. Additionally, the median sold price in March 2026 marked an 8.11% rise from February 2026, which saw a median price of $222,000. Despite the rise in sold prices, the median list price in March 2026 was $220,000, down 7.17% from $237,000 in March 2025.

The number of home sales also increased, with 239 homes sold in March 2026, a 2.14% increase from the Continue Reading →

April 2026 Franklin County Real Estate Market Update: Rising Home Prices and Sales

By Dennis Norman, on April 20th, 2026

The Franklin County real estate market continues to show robust growth as of April 2026, with significant increases in both home prices and sales. According to the latest data, homes in Franklin County sold for a median price of $277,500 in March 2026. This marks a 4.13% increase from March 2025, when the median sold price was $266,500. Additionally, the March 2026 median price represents a 5.71% rise compared to February 2026, when it was $262,500.

The market also saw a notable increase in the median list price, which reached $309,272 in March 2026. This is a substantial 15.83% jump Continue Reading →

April 2026 St. Louis County Real Estate Market Update: Rising Home Prices and Sales Trends

By Dennis Norman, on April 19th, 2026

The St. Louis County real estate market continues to show dynamic shifts as of April 2026, with notable changes in home prices and sales activity. In March 2026, homes sold for a median price of $278,500. This represents a 5.09% increase from the median sold price of $265,000 in March 2025. Additionally, March 2026 saw an 11.18% rise in median sold prices compared to February 2026, when the median was $250,501.

Despite the increase in sold prices, the median list price dropped to $250,000, marking a 10.87% decrease from $280,500 in March 2025. The number of home sales also saw Continue Reading →