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

What Makes an Old Kirkwood House Worth Saving?

By Karen Moeller, on September 13th, 2026

Walk around Kirkwood long enough and you will see the yard signs: “Protect Historic Kirkwood.”

I understand the sentiment. Part of what makes Kirkwood look and feel like Kirkwood is its collection of older homes. But preserving those homes gets more complicated when the way people live changes, the cost of renovation climbs, and the land underneath a smaller older house becomes increasingly valuable.

Earlier this year, that tension played out very publicly over the 1858 house on N. Taylor Avenue. After a legal fight over its demolition, the house came down in May. City records show a Continue Reading →

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

By Dennis Norman, on September 12th, 2026

In the vibrant St. Louis metropolitan area, the real estate market is buzzing with activity, particularly in the school districts where homes are selling at lightning speed. Leading the pack is the CHRISTOPHER DIST #99 in Franklin, where the single active listing has been snapped up in an average of just 1 day, with an attractive average list price of $85,000. This district’s swift sales pace highlights its appeal to families seeking affordable and desirable living options.

Following closely is BRUSSELS DIST 42 in Calhoun-IL, where the average time on the market is only 7 days across three listings. Meanwhile, Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Climb to 6.97% in September 2026 – Impact on Homebuyers as 15-Year Fixed Reaches 6.54%

By Dennis Norman, on September 10th, 2026

As of September 10, 2026, St. Louis mortgage rates are on the rise, reflecting broader upward trends in the national market. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has increased by 0.08% to 6.97%, marking a significant rise above the 6.5% threshold. Concurrently, the 15-year fixed rate has seen a smaller, yet impactful, increase of 0.05%, bringing it to 6.54%. These changes underscore the current environment where rising rates are becoming the norm, affecting both potential homebuyers and current homeowners considering refinancing.

For St. Louis area buyers, these rising rates could lead to higher monthly payments, potentially reducing affordability and influencing purchasing Continue Reading →

St. Louis Home Tour Video Map Surpasses 8,600 Listings, Offering In-Depth Views of Local Properties

By Dennis Norman, on September 9th, 2026

The St. Louis metro area’s home tour video catalogue has reached an impressive 8,643 tours as of September 9, 2026, providing potential homebuyers with a comprehensive look at properties across 311 markets. Video walkthroughs have become an invaluable tool for buyers, offering a more detailed perspective than traditional photographs. They allow viewers to see how rooms connect, assess the steepness of stairs, and gauge the true size of spaces, all of which are crucial elements when considering a home purchase.

In the past 30 days alone, 198 new tours have been added to the map, with 46 of those being Continue Reading →

September 2026 Metro East Real Estate Market Update: Rising Trends and Key Insights

By Dennis Norman, on September 9th, 2026

The Metro East real estate market continues to show dynamic changes as of September 2026. In August, homes sold for a median price of $216,000, marking a 5.37% increase from the previous year when the median was $205,000. However, this also represents an 8.09% decrease from July 2026’s median sold price of $235,000. The median list price in August 2026 was $230,000, up 6.98% from $215,000 in August 2025, indicating a robust demand in the market.

The number of home sales also saw a slight increase, with 699 homes sold in August 2026, a 2.04% rise from the 685 Continue Reading →

September 2026 St. Charles County Real Estate Market Update: Prices and Sales on the Rise

By Dennis Norman, on September 8th, 2026

The St. Charles County real estate market experienced notable changes in August 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $370,000, marking a 2.78% increase from the same period last year when the median price was $360,000. However, this figure represents a 4.78% decrease from July 2026’s median sold price of $388,560. Meanwhile, the median list price in August 2026 was $409,900, reflecting a significant 10.26% rise from $371,750 in August 2025.

The market also saw an uptick in activity, with 526 homes sold in August 2026, a 7.57% increase compared to the 489 homes sold in August 2025. For Continue Reading →

September 2026 St. Louis MSA Real Estate Market Update: Prices Rise, Sales Decline

By Dennis Norman, on September 7th, 2026

The St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) real estate market showed notable trends in August 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $305,000, marking an increase of 6.09% from August 2025 when the median price was $287,500. However, this figure represents a slight decrease of 1.61% compared to July 2026, where the median sold price was $310,000. The median list price in August 2026 was $299,900, reflecting a 3.41% rise from $290,000 in August 2025.

In terms of sales volume, there were 3,204 home sales in the St. Louis MSA in August 2026, a decrease of 2.79% from the Continue Reading →

What Exactly Are You Buying When You Buy the Lemp Mansion?

By Karen Moeller, on September 4th, 2026

Other than my own home, there aren’t many houses where I’ve spent more time than the Lemp Mansion. Long before I became a Realtor, I was an actress, and one of my regular weekend gigs was performing dinner theater there.

Years ago, some visitors posed for a photograph in front of the staircase. When they looked at the picture later, they noticed what appeared to be an elderly woman in period clothing near the top. The photo eventually appeared on social media with quite a discovery: They had photographed a ghost.

Which would have been pretty exciting, except Continue Reading →

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

By Dennis Norman, on September 4th, 2026

The most watched home tour video in the St. Louis metro area is of 1410 Fournier Dr in Crestwood, MO, with an impressive 187,422 views. This highlights the growing interest in video walkthroughs as a tool for both buyers and curious observers alike. Video tours offer a unique advantage over traditional photographs by providing a more comprehensive view of a property. They allow potential buyers to see how rooms connect, assess the steepness of staircases, and get a true sense of the space’s size. This can be particularly beneficial in understanding the layout and flow of a home, aspects that Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Climb in September 2026: 30-Year Fixed Edges Up to 6.91%

By Dennis Norman, on September 3rd, 2026

In September 2026, St. Louis homebuyers and sellers are witnessing a consistent upward trend in mortgage rates, with the 30-year fixed rate now standing at 6.91%, marking a modest increase of 0.02% from the previous rates. This rise continues the trend of rates staying well above the 6.5% threshold, impacting the affordability and decision-making processes for prospective homebuyers. The 15-year fixed rate has also seen a more significant jump, increasing by 0.11% to reach 6.50%. These changes illustrate a broader trend of rising interest rates in the current economic climate.

The increase in rates is having a notable impact on Continue Reading →

August 2026 St. Louis City Real Estate Market Update: Trends and Insights

By Dennis Norman, on August 31st, 2026

The St. Louis City real estate market experienced notable shifts in July 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $235,000, marking a 5.51% decrease from July 2025’s median of $248,700. This also represents a 9.62% drop from June 2026, when the median sold price was $260,000. Concurrently, the median list price in July 2026 was $215,000, down 9.66% from $238,000 in July 2025.

Despite the decrease in prices, the market saw an uptick in activity, with 306 home sales in July 2026, a 16.79% increase from the 262 sales recorded in July 2025. These figures indicate a dynamic market Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Climb to 6.75% in August 2026 – Rising Trend Challenges Buyers

By Dennis Norman, on August 31st, 2026

In August 2026, St. Louis homebuyers face a challenging market as mortgage rates continue their upward trajectory. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has nudged up to 6.75%, marking a slight increase of 0.01% from previous levels. Similarly, the 15-year fixed rate has risen to 6.32%, also climbing by 0.01%. This consistent upward trend is reflected across other loan categories, including the 30-year FHA and Jumbo rates, which further highlights the mounting pressure on potential homeowners.

For St. Louis buyers, these rising rates mean higher borrowing costs, which could impact affordability and purchasing power. Sellers might see a slowdown in buyer Continue Reading →

St. Louis Radiation Compensation Has Become a Real Issue for Local Families

By Dennis Norman, on August 25th, 2026

For years, radioactive waste tied to the Manhattan Project has been a source of concern for many families in the St. Louis area. Now it is also a compensation issue, and for some people, a very real one. Under the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA, some residents in parts of the St. Louis region may already qualify for federal compensation if they lived, worked, or went to school in certain ZIP codes for at least two years after January 1, 1949, and later developed a covered illness.

This matters because a lot of people still do not realize Continue Reading →

Is Not Owning a Home Really a Failure?

By Karen Moeller, on August 25th, 2026

A buyer I have been working with recently decided to put their home search on hold for a year. They were qualified to buy, but because they needed to ask sellers for closing-cost concessions, their offers weren’t as competitive as they wanted them to be. Their plan was straightforward: keep renting, save more cash and return to the market in a stronger position.

Then they called me. A friend was doing what they described as “renting to own” through a lease option program, and they wondered whether that might be another path.

The concept was familiar. Years ago, Continue Reading →

‘August 2026 St. Louis Mortgage Rates: 30-Year Fixed Falls to 6.72% Amid Decline’

By Dennis Norman, on August 20th, 2026

In August 2026, St. Louis homebuyers are witnessing a slight relief as mortgage rates continue their downward trend. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased by 0.03%, bringing it to 6.72%, while the 15-year fixed rate saw a slightly larger drop of 0.04%, settling at 6.27%. These changes indicate a subtle but positive shift for potential buyers in the area, as rates remain above the 6.5% mark, yet show signs of easing.

The decline in rates offers a glimmer of hope for St. Louis buyers, who have been grappling with high borrowing costs in recent months. This latest dip may Continue Reading →

August 2026 Franklin County Real Estate Market Update: Rising Prices and Steady Sales

By Dennis Norman, on August 20th, 2026

The Franklin County real estate market continues to show signs of growth as of August 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $276,500 in July 2026, marking a 5.33% increase from the median price of $262,500 in July 2025. However, this represents a slight decrease of 2.98% compared to June 2026, when the median sold price was $285,000. The median list price saw a significant rise to $317,650, up 15.51% from $275,000 in July 2025, indicating strong seller confidence in the market.

Additionally, home sales in Franklin County remained steady, with 121 transactions in July 2026, a modest increase Continue Reading →

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

By Dennis Norman, on August 19th, 2026

The St. Louis County real estate market continues to show dynamic changes as of August 2026. In July 2026, homes sold for a median price of $320,000, marking a significant increase of 8.47% from the median sold price of $295,000 in July 2025. However, this figure also represents a slight decrease of 1.54% compared to June 2026, when the median sold price was $325,000.

Interestingly, the median list price for homes in July 2026 was $250,000, reflecting a decrease of 13.76% from $289,900 in July 2025. This shift in listing prices may indicate changing seller strategies or market conditions. Continue Reading →

St. Louis Metro Home Sales Surge in 2026: A Positive Trend for Buyers and Sellers

By Dennis Norman, on August 17th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area is experiencing a notable uptick in home sales this year. As of July 31st, 2026, a total of 20,366 homes have been sold across the metro area, marking a 4.86% increase compared to the 19,422 homes sold during the same period in 2025. This growth indicates a robust housing market, offering opportunities for both buyers looking to settle in the region and sellers aiming to capitalize on the rising demand. The increase in sales underscores the region’s appeal, with its diverse neighborhoods and vibrant communities attracting families and individuals alike.

For those interested in the Continue Reading →

Could This SpaceX-Inspired Homebuilder Change the Way We Build Starter Homes?

By Dennis Norman, on August 17th, 2026

For years we’ve heard plenty of talk about America’s housing affordability problem, but most of the proposed solutions seem to come down to some version of the same thing: lower interest rates, loosen zoning, subsidize buyers or somehow convince traditional homebuilders to build less expensive homes. A relatively new company in Austin, Texas, is taking a very different approach. The American Housing Corporation is trying to reinvent how the house itself is built.

What caught my attention is that this isn’t simply another modular-home manufacturer. American Housing is attempting to combine real estate development, manufacturing, software and engineering into one Continue Reading →

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

By Dennis Norman, on August 16th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area is witnessing a dynamic real estate market, with certain zip codes in both Missouri and Illinois showing remarkable speed in home sales. Leading the pack is a zip code in Madison County, Illinois, where homes are selling at lightning speed, averaging just 2 days on the market. This zip code currently has one active listing with an average list price of $325,000. Hot on its heels is another Madison County zip code, with properties taking an average of 3 days to sell. Meanwhile, Monroe County, Illinois, also boasts a fast-moving market, with homes in one Continue Reading →

August 2026 Jefferson County Real Estate Market Update: Rising Home Prices and Market Trends

By Dennis Norman, on August 15th, 2026

The Jefferson County real estate market continues to show resilience with a steady increase in home prices. In July 2026, the median sold price for homes reached $312,250, marking a 2.38% rise from $305,000 in July 2025. This upward trend also reflects a 2.88% increase compared to June 2026, when the median sold price was $303,500. The market’s upward momentum is further highlighted by the median list price, which climbed to $324,950, representing a significant 10.15% increase from $295,000 in July 2025.

Despite the rising prices, the number of home sales in Jefferson County saw a slight decrease. In July Continue Reading →

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 →