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

The House Is a Relocation Sale. What Changes for the Buyer?

By Karen Moeller, on August 14th, 2026

I recently represented buyers in a multiple-offer situation. The house was being sold through a corporate relocation company, and before making their offer, my buyers had quite a bit of information about the property. They had read the Seller’s Disclosure completed by the people who had lived in the home and reviewed reports provided as part of the relocation transaction.

Given the competition for the house, they made a calculated decision to waive their own inspection to make their offer more attractive. Before they did, we talked more than once about the additional risk they would be taking on. Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Fall in August 2026: 30-Year Fixed Drops to 6.74%

By Dennis Norman, on August 13th, 2026

In an encouraging development for prospective homebuyers in the St. Louis area, mortgage rates have seen a downward trend this August 2026. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate now stands at 6.74%, reflecting a decrease of 0.05% from the previous level. This drop marks a significant movement away from the high levels above 6.5% that have characterized much of this year’s market. The 15-year fixed rate also edged down slightly to 6.27%, offering a more favorable option for buyers looking for shorter-term financing.

For those in the St. Louis real estate market, these rate reductions could translate into more manageable monthly Continue Reading →

Apparently, I Had a Squatter

By Karen Moeller, on August 12th, 2026

Earlier this spring, I was cleaning my house when I suddenly smelled skunk.

I have a much more sensitive nose than my husband, so when he couldn’t smell anything, I tried to talk myself out of it. Maybe someone had walked down the street smoking marijuana. Maybe a neighbor was outside smoking. But the smell persisted, and as I moved around the house, I became convinced it was strongest near my air vents.

That’s when my imagination went somewhere considerably less pleasant: What if an animal had gotten into the ductwork?

I went outside and inspected the Continue Reading →

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

By Dennis Norman, on August 12th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area continues to attract home buyers with its diverse and thriving communities, and recent data highlights the fastest selling school districts in this dynamic region. Leading the charge is the Gasconade Co. R-I School District, straddling Gasconade and Montgomery counties, where homes are selling at lightning speed. With only one active listing averaging just 20 days on the market and a list price of $439,500, this district is a hot spot for families seeking a swift home buying process.

Following closely is the Columbia DIST 4 School District, serving parts of Monroe and St. Clair counties Continue Reading →

An Insurance Quote Doesn’t Mean Your House Is Insurable

By Karen Moeller, on August 10th, 2026

In a competitive real estate market, buyers sometimes waive inspections to make their offer more attractive. They may decide they’re comfortable accepting the house as it sits, including the aging roof, outdated electrical panel or other conditions they might otherwise have investigated during an inspection period.

That’s a decision the buyer can make. It doesn’t mean the insurance company has made the same one.

Obtaining homeowners insurance often feels like a simple item on the home-buying checklist. Call an insurance agent, provide the property address and some information, receive a quote, send it to the lender and move Continue Reading →

August 2026 Metro East Real Estate Market Update: Steady Growth in Home Sales and Prices

By Dennis Norman, on August 9th, 2026

The Metro East real estate market continues to show positive trends as of August 2026. In July, homes sold for a median price of $235,000, marking a 2.17% increase from July 2025, when the median sold price was $230,000. Interestingly, this price remains unchanged from June 2026, indicating a stable market environment. The median list price for homes in July 2026 was $225,000, reflecting a 4.65% rise from $215,000 in July 2025.

The market also saw an uptick in activity, with 829 homes sold in July 2026, a significant 11.28% increase from the 745 homes sold in July 2025. This Continue Reading →

August 2026 St. Charles County Real Estate Market Update: Rising Prices and Increased Sales

By Dennis Norman, on August 8th, 2026

The St. Charles County real estate market continues to show robust activity as of August 2026. In July 2026, homes in the area sold for a median price of $386,250, marking a 4.96% increase from the median sold price of $368,000 in July 2025. However, this figure represents a slight decrease of 2.83% from June 2026, when the median sold price was $397,500.

The median list price for homes in July 2026 was $404,950, reflecting a significant 9.45% rise from $370,000 in July 2025. This increase in list prices indicates a strong seller’s market, with demand continuing to drive prices Continue Reading →

August 2026 St. Louis Real Estate Market Update: Steady Growth in Home Prices and Sales

By Dennis Norman, on August 7th, 2026

The St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) real estate market continues to exhibit steady growth as of August 2026. Homes sold in July 2026 for a median price of $310,000, marking a 3.96% increase from the median sold price of $298,200 in July 2025. This median sold price also remained consistent with June 2026, showing no change from the previous month.

The median list price for homes in the St. Louis MSA was $300,000 in July 2026, reflecting a 3.45% increase from $290,000 in July 2025. Additionally, the number of home sales increased by 4.52%, with 3,604 homes sold in Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Hold Steady at 6.75% in August 2026 Amid Rising Trend

By Dennis Norman, on August 6th, 2026

August 2026 sees St. Louis mortgage rates holding steady at high levels, with the 30-year fixed rate maintaining its position at 6.75%. Despite no change from previous levels, this rate continues to reflect the overall rising trend seen across the national market. The 15-year fixed rate also remains unchanged at 6.29%, providing a slightly lower option for those looking to finance their homes over a shorter period.

For St. Louis homebuyers and sellers, these steady but elevated rates can influence purchasing power and selling strategies. Buyers may find themselves needing to adjust budgets to accommodate higher interest costs, while sellers Continue Reading →

Could Some Condo Buildings Become Increasingly Difficult to Finance?

By Karen Moeller, on August 3rd, 2026

Most buyers think getting approved for a mortgage means they’re ready to buy a home. With condominiums, that’s only half the equation.

Unlike a single-family home, purchasing a condo has always required lenders to look beyond the individual buyer. They also evaluate the condominium association itself. Recent changes by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac place even greater emphasis on the financial health of the community, making the association’s finances and management more important than ever during the lending process.

The changes reflect lenders’ growing concern about deferred maintenance, reserve funding, insurance coverage, and the long-term financial stability of Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Edge Up to 6.78% in July 2026 – What Rising Rates Mean for Homebuyers

By Dennis Norman, on July 30th, 2026

As of July 30, 2026, St. Louis mortgage rates continue their upward climb, with the 30-year fixed rate now standing at 6.78%, marking a slight increase of 0.02% from previous levels. This rise keeps the rate well above the 6.5% threshold that has been a critical point for many prospective buyers. The 15-year fixed rate also edged up to 6.32%, reflecting a similar trend of gradual increases across the board. Other mortgage products, including the 30-year FHA and Jumbo loans, along with the 7/6 SOFR ARM, have also seen upticks, suggesting a broader trend of tightening conditions in the mortgage Continue Reading →

New Report Targets Real Estate “Junk Fees” In Real Estate, but the Real Issue May Be Transparency

By Dennis Norman, on July 29th, 2026

St Louis Real Estate Transaction Fees and Admin Fees

A July 2026 report from the Consumer Policy Center, “Junk”Fees Charged to Both Home Sellers and Buyers: An Overview”, written by Stephen Brobeck and Wendy Gilch, raises concerns about administrative, transaction, technology, and other fees charged to home buyers and sellers. The report says these fees are commonly between $400 and $600, although some reported examples exceed $1,000 and a few were above $2,000. Those numbers deserve attention, but they also need to be viewed in the proper context because the report does not establish the national frequency or average amount of these fees through a comprehensive database or statistically Continue Reading →

Congress Adds to Growing Scrutiny of Private Listing Networks

By Dennis Norman, on July 23rd, 2026

Private listing networks continue to attract increasing attention from lawmakers, regulators and the courts. What was once primarily an industry debate has become the subject of lawsuits, requests for federal investigations and now congressional interest. While none of these developments establish that anyone has violated antitrust laws, they do suggest that policymakers are taking a much closer look at where the industry is headed.

The latest development came this week when the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform and Antitrust requested briefings from Compass CEO Robert Reffkin and MRED CEO Rebecca Jensen regarding their Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Edge Higher at 6.77% in July 2026 – Rising Trends Persist

By Dennis Norman, on July 23rd, 2026

As of July 23, 2026, mortgage rates in the St. Louis area continue their upward climb, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reaching 6.77%, marking a 0.02% increase from the previous rate. Similarly, the 15-year fixed rate saw a slight rise to 6.23%, up 0.03%. These changes highlight a persistent trend of rising rates, affecting all major mortgage categories, including the 30-year FHA at 6.35% and the 30-year jumbo at 6.90%. The adjustable-rate mortgage (7/6 SOFR ARM) also increased to 6.55%, reflecting broader market adjustments.

For homebuyers and sellers in St. Louis, these rising rates signify increased borrowing costs, which could Continue Reading →

St. Louis City Real Estate Market Update: July 2026

By Dennis Norman, on July 21st, 2026

In June 2026, the St. Louis City real estate market saw homes selling for a median price of $261,000. This represents a modest increase of 0.77% from June 2025, when the median sold price was $259,000. Furthermore, the median sold price in June 2026 marks a 2.35% rise from May 2026, when it was $255,000. However, the median list price in June 2026 was $209,950, reflecting a 12.48% decrease from $239,900 in June 2025.

The number of home sales in St. Louis City also saw a slight decline, with 292 homes sold in June 2026, down 1.02% from 295 sales Continue Reading →

Franklin County Real Estate Market Sees Significant Growth in June 2026

By Dennis Norman, on July 20th, 2026

The Franklin County real estate market continues its upward trajectory, as evidenced by the latest data for June 2026. Homes in the area sold for a median price of $285,000, marking a 9.62% increase from the $260,000 median price recorded in June 2025. Additionally, this figure represents a slight rise of 0.53% from May 2026, where the median sold price was $283,500. The median list price also saw a notable increase, reaching $320,000 in June 2026, up 17.11% from $273,250 in June of the previous year.

The market’s activity is further highlighted by the 131 home sales in June 2026, Continue Reading →

St. Louis County Real Estate Market Update: July 2026 Sees Rising Home Sales and Prices

By Dennis Norman, on July 19th, 2026

The St. Louis County real estate market experienced notable growth in June 2026, with homes selling for a median price of $325,000. This represents a 6.56% increase from June 2025’s median price of $305,000 and a 4.54% rise from May 2026’s median of $310,900. Meanwhile, the median list price saw a decrease, coming in at $259,000, down 9.12% from $285,000 in June 2025.

Home sales in St. Louis County also surged, with 1,451 transactions completed in June 2026, marking a significant 19.82% increase from the 1,211 sales recorded in June 2025. The chart below, available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®, provides Continue Reading →

St. Louis Metro Home Sales Surge in 2026: A Promising Market for Buyers and Sellers

By Dennis Norman, on July 17th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area has experienced a robust increase in home sales through the first half of 2026. By the end of June, 16,703 homes were sold across the metro region, marking a 4.57% rise compared to the 15,973 homes sold during the same period in 2025. This growth highlights the dynamic nature of the real estate market in both Missouri and Illinois sections of the metro area, offering promising opportunities for both potential home buyers and sellers. The increase in sales activity suggests a healthy demand for homes, with families and individuals alike looking to invest in the Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Dip Below 6.7% in July 2026 – 30-Year Fixed Falls to 6.64%

By Dennis Norman, on July 16th, 2026

In a welcome shift for homebuyers in the St. Louis area, mortgage rates have experienced a slight decline as of mid-July 2026. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased by 0.06%, settling at 6.64%, while the 15-year fixed rate has seen a minor drop of 0.02%, now at 6.18%. Despite these declines, both rates remain at relatively high levels, particularly the 30-year fixed rate, which continues to hover above the 6.5% mark.

For prospective homebuyers and sellers in St. Louis, this downward trend offers a glimmer of hope amid a challenging market. Lower rates can improve affordability, potentially easing the Continue Reading →

Discover the Fastest Selling Zip Codes in the St. Louis Metro Area

By Dennis Norman, on July 16th, 2026

The real estate market in the St. Louis metropolitan area is heating up, with certain zip codes standing out for their rapid pace of sales. Leading the charge is Madison-IL, where homes are flying off the market in just 2 days. This swift movement is accompanied by an attractive average list price of $110,000, making it an appealing option for both buyers and investors. Following closely are the zip codes in Franklin and Washington, each boasting an impressive average of just 2 days on the market as well. These areas are proving to be hot spots for families looking to Continue Reading →

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

By Dennis Norman, on July 15th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area is witnessing a dynamic real estate market, particularly in certain school districts where homes are selling at a remarkable pace. Leading the charge is CHRISTOPHER DIST #99 in Franklin, where properties are flying off the market in just 1 day on average. With only 1 active listing priced at $20,500, this district tops the list for the shortest time on the market, making it an attractive option for those looking to buy or sell quickly.

Following closely is St Libory DIST 30 in St Clair-IL, where homes spend an average of 14 days on the Continue Reading →

St. Louis Housing Shortage Shrinks as Affordability Improves

By Dennis Norman, on July 15th, 2026

America is still short nearly 4.7 million homes, but St. Louis is moving in the right direction. The St. Louis metro housing deficit fell by 392 homes in 2024 to 16,976, according to a new Zillow analysis. That may not sound like a dramatic change, but it stands out when the national shortage increased by more than 43,000 homes during the same period.

The more interesting number for St. Louis buyers is affordability. In May 2026, 59.1% of St. Louis homes listed for sale were considered affordable to a household earning the area’s median income, up from 54.5% a year Continue Reading →

Metro East Real Estate Market Sees Steady Growth in June 2026

By Dennis Norman, on July 15th, 2026

The Metro East real estate market continues to show steady growth as of July 2026, with homes selling for a median price of $235,000 in June. This represents an increase of 4.44% compared to June 2025, when the median sold price was $225,000. However, the median sold price experienced a slight decrease of 1.26% from May 2026, which had a median price of $238,000.

The median list price for homes in the Metro East reached $229,900 in June 2026, marking a 6.93% increase from $215,000 in June 2025. Additionally, the number of home sales rose to 791, an 8.65% increase Continue Reading →

Jefferson County Real Estate Market Update: July 2026

By Dennis Norman, on July 15th, 2026

The Jefferson County real estate market continues to show strong performance as of July 2026. Homes in the area sold for a median price of $305,000 during June 2026, marking a 7.02% increase from the median price of $285,000 in June 2025. However, this figure represents a slight decrease of 1.61% compared to May 2026, when the median sold price was $310,000.

The median list price in June 2026 was reported at $329,900, reflecting an 11.83% rise from $295,000 in June 2025. The number of home sales also saw a significant increase, with 294 properties sold in June 2026, Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Ease to 6.7%: July 2026 Sees Falling Trend in Fixed Rates

By Dennis Norman, on July 15th, 2026

In July 2026, St. Louis homebuyers are witnessing a slight reprieve as mortgage rates take a downward turn. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased by 0.05%, settling at 6.70%, while the 15-year fixed rate has nudged down to 6.20% with a 0.01% decline. This shift indicates a slight easing in borrowing costs for potential homeowners, although rates remain significantly above the 6.5% mark, presenting both opportunities and challenges in the current market environment.

For buyers in St. Louis, the reduction in rates could mean slightly lower monthly payments compared to previous months, offering a breath of relief amid a Continue Reading →

St. Louis Rents Are Falling, But a Shortage of New Apartments Could Change That

By Dennis Norman, on July 15th, 2026

There is some good news for St. Louis renters. The median asking rent in the St. Louis metro fell to $1,292 in June, a decline of 1.4% from a year ago. That puts St. Louis rents about $400 below the national median of $1,692 and makes our market look relatively affordable compared with many of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas.

The part of the report that caught my attention, however, was not the decline in rent. It was the lack of new apartment construction. According to Realtor.com’s June 2026 Rental Report, the St. Louis metro permitted just 0.5 new multifamily Continue Reading →

St. Louis MSA Real Estate Market Sees Steady Growth in June 2026

By Dennis Norman, on July 13th, 2026

The St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) real estate market continues to show positive trends as of July 2026. Homes in the area sold for a median price of $310,000 in June 2026, marking a 5.08% increase from the median sold price of $295,000 in June 2025. This also represents a slight increase of 0.02% from May 2026, when the median sold price was $309,950.

The median list price for homes in the St. Louis MSA was $304,999, reflecting a 6.12% rise from $287,400 in June 2025. Additionally, the market experienced a notable increase in activity, with 3,689 homes sold Continue Reading →

St. Charles County Real Estate Market Sees Continued Growth in July 2026

By Dennis Norman, on July 12th, 2026

The St. Charles County real estate market continues to demonstrate robust growth as of July 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $399,900 in June, marking an 8.08% increase from June 2025’s median of $370,000. This figure also reflects a 3.87% rise from May 2026, when the median sold price was $385,000. The median list price in June reached $411,900, an impressive 11.63% increase from $368,999 in June 2025.

In terms of sales volume, 587 homes were sold in June 2026, a significant 10.75% increase compared to the 530 homes sold in June 2025. The chart below, available exclusively Continue Reading →

Why I See Missouri Amendments 4 and 5 Differently Than Missouri REALTORS®

By Dennis Norman, on June 30th, 2026

Karen Moeller wrote a good article explaining why Missouri REALTORS® is opposing Amendments 4 and 5, and I think she fairly laid out the association’s reasoning. I see the issues differently, though, particularly when looking beyond the narrow real estate industry concerns and looking at the broader public policy questions involved.

On Amendment 4, I understand why Missouri REALTORS® is concerned. Missouri’s initiative petition process was used in 2010 to prohibit real estate transfer taxes, and that was a good outcome for homeowners, property owners, and the real estate industry. I was glad to see that protection put Continue Reading →

The Invisible Glass Shell That Shapes Every Property

By Karen Moeller, on June 29th, 2026

Most people assume designing a home begins with a blank sheet of paper. In reality, long before an architect sketches the first floor plan or a builder estimates construction costs, every property is already constrained by rules that define the largest home the city will allow. Those rules apply whether you’re building a new home, planning an addition, or evaluating the redevelopment potential of an older property. The challenge is that most homeowners never see those limits, even though they influence nearly every significant building decision.

The easiest way to picture those limits is to imagine the city has Continue Reading →