Dennis Norman - St Louis Real Estate News

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Fall to 6.67% in May 2026, Offering Relief to Homebuyers

By Dennis Norman, on May 22nd, 2026

In May 2026, the St. Louis real estate market is witnessing a notable decrease in mortgage rates, providing a breath of fresh air for prospective homebuyers. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has dipped to 6.67%, a decrease of 0.08% from previous levels, while the 15-year fixed rate has slightly fallen to 6.22%, down by 0.03%. This decline is part of a broader trend of falling rates, with other significant decreases observed in the 7/6 SOFR ARM, which now stands at 6.33%.

For homebuyers in the St. Louis area, these changes are significant. Lower mortgage rates can reduce monthly payments and Continue Reading →

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

By Dennis Norman, on May 22nd, 2026

The St. Louis City real estate market experienced slight fluctuations in April 2026, according to the latest data. Homes sold for a median price of $235,000, marking a minor decrease of 0.21% from April 2025’s median price of $235,500. This figure also represents a more notable decline of 3.09% compared to March 2026, when the median price was $242,500. Additionally, the median list price in April 2026 was $220,000, reflecting a 7.17% drop from $237,000 in April 2025.

In terms of sales volume, there were 269 home sales in April 2026, which is a decrease of 4.61% from the 282 Continue Reading →

May 2026 Franklin County Real Estate Market Update: Home Sales Surge Despite Price Drops

By Dennis Norman, on May 21st, 2026

The Franklin County real estate market experienced notable shifts in April 2026, as illustrated in the chart available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®. Homes sold for a median price of $255,000, marking a 4.67% decrease from April 2025’s median price of $267,500. This figure also represents an 8.11% decline from March 2026, when the median sold price was $277,500. Despite these decreases in sold prices, the median list price saw a significant increase, reaching $314,750 in April 2026, up 18.47% from $265,670 in the same period last year.

Furthermore, the number of home sales in Franklin County rose significantly, with 117 Continue Reading →

St. Louis County Real Estate Market Update: May 2026

By Dennis Norman, on May 20th, 2026

The St. Louis County real estate market has shown notable shifts as of May 2026. In April 2026, homes were sold for a median price of $285,000, marking a 5.56% increase from the median price of $270,000 recorded in April 2025. This upward trend continued from March 2026, where the median sold price was $275,000, reflecting a month-over-month increase of 3.64%.

However, the median list price in April 2026 was $269,000, indicating a 5.61% decrease from $285,000 in April 2025. This divergence between listing and selling prices suggests changing market dynamics that potential buyers and sellers should consider.

Home sales Continue Reading →

Missouri Just Passed A New Law Targeting “We Buy Houses” Deals And Contract Flipping

By Dennis Norman, on May 18th, 2026

Missouri Cracks Down on Real Estate Wholesaling: What SB 973 Means for Homeowners, Investors and Agents

Missouri lawmakers passed Senate Bill 973 late on the final day of the 2026 legislative session and, assuming Governor Kehoe signs it, parts of the bill will take effect August 28, 2026. While the legislation covers several real estate and tax foreclosure issues, one of the biggest changes for everyday consumers and investors is a new state law aimed directly at real estate wholesaling.

For years, wholesaling has existed in a gray area where some investors legitimately tied up properties they intended to close on or had the financial ability to complete the deal if needed, Continue Reading →

St. Louis Metro Home Sales See Modest Growth in 2026

By Dennis Norman, on May 17th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area is experiencing a slight uptick in home sales, with 9,726 homes sold from January through April 2026. This marks a 1.73% increase compared to the 9,561 homes sold during the same period last year. This steady growth is a positive sign for both home buyers and sellers, indicating a stable market environment that can cater to various housing needs across both Missouri and Illinois. The region’s real estate market continues to maintain its momentum, offering opportunities for families looking to settle in this vibrant area.

For those interested in the dynamics of the local housing Continue Reading →

Missouri SB 1001 Died…But Many of Its Investor Restrictions Quietly Passed Through SB 973

By Dennis Norman, on May 16th, 2026

Missouri SB 1001 Died…But Parts Of It Quietly Passed In SB 973

UPDATE – 10:30pm May 16, 2026

After reviewing the final bills passed late on May 15, 2026, it turns out parts of SB 1001 were quietly inserted into SB 973, which passed on the final day of session and now awaits the governor’s signature.

The wholesaling disclosure provisions survived, and honestly, I’m generally okay with that part. Sellers should understand when they are dealing with a wholesaler, when contracts may be assigned, and who is making money on the deal.

The good news for investors is the institutional investor restrictions appear to have been stripped out before final passage. In Continue Reading →

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

By Dennis Norman, on May 16th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area is buzzing with real estate activity, and certain zip codes are experiencing exceptionally rapid sales. Leading the charge is a zip code in Macoupin County, Illinois, where homes are flying off the market in zero days on average. This area, with active listings priced around $129,900, is attracting attention from buyers seeking swift transactions and affordable options. Following closely is a zip code in Bond County, Illinois, where properties are selling in just one day. Meanwhile, Madison County, Illinois, rounds out the top three with homes averaging only two days on the market, highlighting the 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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Steady Growth in St. Louis Metro Home Sales: A Positive Start to 2026

By Dennis Norman, on April 17th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area has experienced a promising start to the 2026 real estate market, with 6,665 homes sold through the end of March. This marks a slight yet encouraging increase of 0.71% compared to the 6,618 homes sold during the same period last year. This steady growth is a positive indicator for both potential home buyers and sellers, suggesting a stable market environment. The St. Louis metro area, encompassing counties in both Missouri and Illinois, continues to attract families and individuals seeking a vibrant and affordable place to call home.

Despite the modest year-over-year growth, the market remains Continue Reading →

Baby Boomers Are Now Driving the Housing Market… and First-Time Buyers Are Getting Squeezed Out

By Dennis Norman, on April 16th, 2026

Generational Trends in Real Estate - National Association of Realtors Report - St Louis REALTORS

The latest data from the National Association of REALTORS® shows something that might surprise a lot of people… the real estate market isn’t being driven by first-time buyers anymore, and it hasn’t been for a while. In fact, the 2026 Generational Trends Report shows that Baby Boomers now make up the largest share of home buyers at 42%, while first-time buyers have dropped to just 21%… the lowest level ever recorded.

That’s a big shift, and it helps explain a lot of what we’re seeing in today’s market. Younger buyers, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are still active, but they’re Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Edge Upward: 30-Year Fixed Hits 6.32% in April 2026

By Dennis Norman, on April 16th, 2026

As of April 16, 2026, mortgage rates in the St. Louis area have continued their upward trajectory, with the 30-year fixed rate now standing at 6.32%, marking a slight increase of 0.01% from the previous day. The 15-year fixed rate also saw a similar rise, now at 5.97%. These subtle yet steady increases reflect broader trends in the national market, with all major rate categories experiencing hikes, including the 30-year FHA and Jumbo loans, as well as the 7/6 SOFR ARM, which now stands at 5.98%.

For potential homebuyers and sellers in St. Louis, these rising rates could have significant Continue Reading →

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

By Dennis Norman, on April 16th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area is witnessing a dynamic real estate market, with certain zip codes standing out for their rapid turnover. Leading the charge is Franklin, Crawford, where homes are flying off the market in an impressive average of just 25 days. With 40 active listings, this area boasts an average list price of $285,980, making it an attractive option for both buyers seeking swift transactions and sellers looking to capitalize on high demand.

Not far behind, Jefferson holds the second position with 13 listings averaging just 8 days on the market. Meanwhile, another area in Franklin ranks third Continue Reading →

St. Louis Lands in Top 15 Most Affordable Housing Markets… Opportunity Is Still Here

By Dennis Norman, on April 15th, 2026

St Louis Housing Affordability -Ranked 11th in Nation

St. Louis continues to stand out nationally for something that matters to just about every homebuyer… affordability. According to the latest rankings, St. Louis is now the 11th most affordable housing market in the U.S., reinforcing what many local buyers and investors already know… you simply get more for your money here than in most major metro areas.

As the graphic shows, cities like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Oklahoma City top the list, but St. Louis sits comfortably in the upper tier, ahead of markets like Grand Rapids, Little Rock, and Columbus. That’s impressive when you consider St. Louis offers not Continue Reading →

Jefferson County Real Estate Market Sees Strong Growth in March 2026

By Dennis Norman, on April 15th, 2026

The Jefferson County real estate market continues to show robust growth as of April 2026. In March, homes sold for a median price of $295,000, marking a significant increase of 10.49% compared to March 2025, when the median price was $267,000. This upward trend is also evident when comparing to February 2026, with a 1.03% rise from a median price of $292,000.

The median list price in March 2026 was $324,900, reflecting a 12.03% increase from $290,000 in March 2025. Additionally, home sales in the region rose to 222, a 4.23% increase from the 213 homes sold in March Continue Reading →

Real Estate Fraud Is Exploding… and It’s Hitting Closings Where It Hurts Most

By Dennis Norman, on April 15th, 2026

Real estate fraud is not just a theoretical risk… it is a growing and very real threat, and the latest FBI data shows it is costing Americans hundreds of millions of dollars each year. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2025 report, there were 12,368 real estate fraud complaints nationwide, resulting in more than $275 million in reported losses. That is a significant number, and while St. Louis is not singled out specifically, our local market is certainly not immune to these same risks.

One of the most concerning aspects of real estate fraud today involves wire Continue Reading →