By Dennis Norman, on September 8th, 2024 
The St. Louis real estate market saw a slight increase in median home prices during August 2024, with homes selling for a median price of $275,000. This is a 3.77% increase from August 2023, when the median sold price was $265,000. However, compared to July 2024, there was a decrease of 3.51% in median sold price, when it was $285,000.
According to the chart below, provided exclusively by MORE, REALTORS®, the median list price for homes in the St. Louis MSA also saw an increase of 7.84% from August 2023, with a current median list price of $275,000. However, there Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 6th, 2024 
In a groundbreaking analysis from the National Bureau of Economic Research, a recent report has challenged some prevailing assumptions about the impact of lowering real estate agent fees on home prices. According to the findings, a reduction in agent fees, contrary to what some might expect, could lead to higher house prices. This is because lower future transaction costs enhance the overall value of housing as a durable asset, increasing consumer welfare, primarily benefiting current homeowners over prospective buyers.
For homeowners in St. Louis, this suggests a more complex real estate landscape where the benefits of lowered agent fees might Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 6th, 2024 
As of August 2024, the real estate market in Franklin County has shown some interesting trends. According to data exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®, the median sold price for homes in the county remained steady at $250,000, the same as August 2023. However, this represents a 9.26% decrease from July 2024 when the median sold price was $275,500.
On the other hand, the median list price for homes in Franklin County saw a slight increase of 1.00% from $250,000 in August 2023 to $252,500 in August 2024. This could indicate that sellers are still confident in the market and are willing Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 4th, 2024 
In a newly released report by the Center for Demographics and Policy at Chapman University, St. Louis has been ranked the third most affordable housing market in the world for 2024. The Demographia International Housing Affordability report highlights that St. Louis continues to offer buyers some of the best value when it comes to housing, beating out major cities across the U.S. and globally.
For homebuyers in St. Louis, this is exciting news. While inflation and rising costs are still on the minds of many, the fact that the metro area remains such an affordable place to own a home Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 4th, 2024 
As housing costs rise in St. Louis, many are worried about the price of owning or renting a home. However, a recent Gallup poll reveals that 41% of Americans now rank inflation and the high cost of living as their top financial concern, far outpacing housing costs, which are the main issue for 14%. A Gallup spokesperson noted, “For the third year in a row, the percentage of Americans naming inflation or the high cost of living as the most important financial problem facing their family has reached a new high.”
Despite these concerns, the St. Louis metro area remains Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 3rd, 2024 
Buying a condominium in the St. Louis metro area offers a unique lifestyle, but it’s important to understand that the process, and ownership structure, is different from purchasing a single-family home. Condominiums come with their own set of challenges and risks, especially in today’s market. If you’re considering buying a condo, here’s what you need to know to protect yourself and make a sound investment.
Understanding the Challenges
Buying a home comes with its own set of challenges and risks, which is why most people choose to work with a buyer’s agent. It’s crucial to use an agent with the Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 30th, 2024 
Recent changes in the real estate industry have left many home buyers wondering if they need to sign an agreement before visiting an open house. The confusion stems from new practices that have emerged as a result of recent legal settlements affecting how agents work with buyers. The good news? If you’re just visiting an open house on your own, you don’t need to sign any kind of written agreement. The agent hosting the open house is there to represent the seller, not to bind you into a contract.
However, if you decide to work with an agent—meaning they start Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 23rd, 2024 
The latest Chandan Economics report reveals a worrying trend for landlords in Missouri, where only 83.1% of tenants made their rental payments on time in August 2024. This figure is slightly below the national average of 84.9%, indicating that Missouri is feeling the strain more acutely. The state’s on-time payment rate reflects a broader decline seen across the country, with national rates dropping 50 basis points from July and 332 basis points from their post-pandemic peak.
For a more granular look at these trends, explore the live, interactive chart that tracks on-time payment rates by property type. This tool is Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 20th, 2024 
The real estate industry is undergoing significant changes, especially concerning how commissions are handled between sellers and buyers’ agents. Recent legal settlements have led to new transparency rules, which clarify that sellers are not required to pay the commission for the buyer’s agent. This has raised concerns among potential homebuyers about the financial burden of paying their agent directly. However, these changes don’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying more out of pocket.
Understanding the Changes:
No Increase in Home Prices: The overall cost of homes hasn’t increased simply because of these rule changes. Home values remain the same. In fact, Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 19th, 2024 
In a recent telephone interview with an Inman News reporter, Michael Ketchmark, lead plaintiffs’ counsel in the groundbreaking Sitzer | Burnett case, emphasized the importance of strict compliance with the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) proposed settlement. Ketchmark and his team are keeping a close eye on how the real estate industry rolls out these changes, warning that any attempts to evade the new rules will be met with swift legal action. “If anyone thinks they’re going to be able to avoid the application of this settlement agreement and the law by creating some new forms or hiding this cooperation Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 15th, 2024 
Are you looking to buy or sell a home in the St. Louis metropolitan area? If so, you’ll want to pay attention to the latest data on the fastest selling zip codes in the region. According to recent statistics, the top three zip codes with the shortest time on the market are 62215 in Clinton-IL, IL, 62047 in Calhoun-IL, IL, and 63055 in Franklin, MO. These zip codes have an average of only 18 days on the market, making them highly desirable for both buyers and sellers.
In 62215, homes are selling at lightning speed with an average of just Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 13th, 2024 
During the 12-month period ending June 30, 2024, a total of 4,017 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This marks a 2.34% decrease from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,923 permits. According to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA), four of the seven counties covered in the report experienced a decline in permits. Lincoln County saw the largest percentage increase at a whopping 88.69%. Conversely, the City of St. Louis experienced the largest decrease, with an 27.93% decline.
Search St Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 13th, 2024 
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has released a comprehensive report highlighting the risks and challenges associated with “contracts for deed,” a form of seller financing often used as an alternative to traditional mortgages. While these contracts can provide a pathway to homeownership for some, the report underscores the significant dangers they pose, particularly to vulnerable populations, including low-income, Black, Hispanic, and immigrant communities.
Contracts for deed are often characterized by substandard housing, inflated prices, and a lack of consumer protections. Buyers assume all responsibilities of homeownership, yet they do not gain legal title until all payments are completed, Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 12th, 2024
John Pound, a former alderman of Des Peres, Missouri, has been sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to repay $292,305 after pleading guilty to embezzling funds from clients of his real estate management company, Commercial Realty Management Inc. Pound’s fraudulent activities spanned a decade, during which he manipulated financial records to siphon off larger commissions and management fees than authorized from a commercial property on North Euclid Avenue in St. Louis’ Central West End. His actions, which included falsifying QuickBooks entries and misrepresenting budgets, resulted in significant financial losses for his clients. Pound’s sentencing serves as a stark Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 12th, 2024 
Are you looking to buy or sell a home in the St. Louis metropolitan area? If so, you’ll want to pay attention to the fastest selling school districts in the region. According to recent data, Signal Hill DIST 181 in Illinois takes the top spot with an average of just 19 days on the market for its 5 active listings. With an average list price of $2,611,780, this district is clearly in high demand.
Coming in at a close second is East Alton-Wood River DIST 14, also in Illinois, with an average of 21 days on the market for its Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 9th, 2024 
The latest data from MORE, REALTORS® shows that the metro east real estate market is continuing to see strong growth. In July 2024, the median sold price for homes in the metro east update was $205,000, a 10.81% increase from July 2023 when the median sold price was $185,000. While this represents a slight decrease of 2.38% from June 2024, when the median sold price was $210,000, it is still a significant increase year-over-year.
The median list price for homes in the metro east update also saw a strong increase, rising to $200,000 in July 2024, an 11.17% jump from Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 8th, 2024 
forAs a homeowner in the St. Louis metro area considering selling your property, one of the most pressing questions in the current real estate landscape is whether you should offer compensation to a buyer’s agent upfront. This question has gained significant importance due to the recent shifts in industry norms, especially following the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement of the Sitzer lawsuit and subsequent MLS rule changes. The outcome of these changes has dramatically altered how real estate transactions are approached, and it’s crucial to understand their implications on your selling strategy.
The Sitzer lawsuit settlement has made it Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 8th, 2024 
The real estate market in St Charles County continues to show steady growth as we enter the month of August. According to the latest data from MORE, REALTORS®, the median sold price for homes in the county was $375,000 in July 2024, a 4.17% increase from the same time last year. This also marks a slight decrease of 4.03% from June 2024.
The median list price for homes in St Charles County was $369,900, a 5.69% increase from July 2023. This indicates a strong demand for homes in the area, as sellers are able to list their homes at higher Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 7th, 2024
The St. Louis real estate market continues to show strong growth, with the median sold price for homes in the stl msa update reaching $288,500 in July 2024. This represents a 6.89% increase from the same time last year when the median sold price was $269,900. However, there was a slight decrease of 3.80% from June 2024, when the median sold price was $299,900.
The median list price for homes in the stl msa update also saw an increase, reaching $280,000 in July 2024, up 5.70% from July 2023. This indicates that sellers are able to command higher prices for Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 6th, 2024 
When it comes to investing, we all want to make the smartest choice possible. We’ve all heard that age-old advice: “Invest in what you know.” For many of us here in St. Louis, what we know best is our homes. But how does investing in a home stack up against other common investments? Let’s take a look at the data below and find out.
Over the past two decades, the price of gold has skyrocketed by a whopping 786.57%, leading the pack with an annualized increase of 9.71%. While that’s impressive, not all that glitters is gold. Houses have also Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 6th, 2024
The real estate market in Franklin County, as of July 2024, continues to show strong growth and a steady increase in median home prices. According to data exclusively available from MORE, REALTORS®, the median sold price for homes in the county during July 2024 was $275,500, marking an 18.52% increase from July 2023 when the median sold price was $232,450.
Furthermore, last month’s median sold price of $275,500 also represents a 14.79% increase compared to June 2024, when the median sold price was $240,000. The median list price for homes in Franklin County also saw a significant increase, rising to Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 5th, 2024
?agent_id=02107As of the end of July 2024, the St. Louis metro area has recorded 17,801 homes sold. This marks a slight increase from the same period last year, which saw 17,683 homes sold. Despite this year-over-year growth, the current sales figure represents a 7.6% decline from the median year-to-date home sales of 19,267 homes recorded between 1999 and 2020. Furthermore, when compared to the average year-to-date home sales of 18,855 homes from 1999 through 2024, this year’s performance is still trailing by approximately 5.6%. These statistics underscore a complex landscape for the St. Louis real estate market, balancing modest recent Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 5th, 2024 
According to a recent study by LendingTree, Missouri ranks 9th in the nation for the lowest monthly mortgage payment. The report reveals that while the average monthly payment on a new mortgage in the U.S. is $2,317, Missouri’s average monthly payment is $1,792. This makes Missouri’s payments approximately 23% less than the national average, positioning it favorably among states with more affordable housing costs. This is particularly notable considering the current economic climate, where mortgage rates remain relatively high, and home prices continue to be steep.
The LendingTree analysis, which examined mortgages offered across the nation from January 1 through Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on July 30th, 2024 
UPDATE: Friday, August 2, 2024…Today, after the jobs report and other economic data was released, mortgage interest rates fell to 6.40% on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, the lowest level in nearly 16 months…the last time rates were this low was in early April 2023.
The interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage fell to 6.80% today, according to the MND rate index as shown in the chart below. This marks the lowest rate in over six months, since January 9th of this year when rates were at 6.80% as well. This drop in rates comes as the Federal Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on July 30th, 2024 
The latest homeownership rates released by the U.S. Census Bureau illustrate a stable housing market across various regions, with the Midwest continuing to lead in homeownership. The Midwest, where St. Louis is a prominent hub, saw a slight decrease from 70.2% in the second quarter of 2023 to 69.9% in the second quarter of 2024. This marginal decline still places the Midwest at the highest homeownership rate among all regions, underscoring the area’s enduring appeal and stability. As St. Louis continues to develop and attract new residents, the robust homeownership rate in the Midwest highlights the region’s Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on July 30th, 2024
The latest rental vacancy rates released by the U.S. Census Bureau highlight a significant shift in the housing market dynamics across various regions. Here in the Midwest, we experienced a noteworthy decline in vacancy rates, dropping from 6.9% in the second quarter of 2023 to 5.5% in the second quarter of 2024. This decrease suggests a tightening rental market in the Midwest, contrasting with the national trend where the overall vacancy rate slightly increased. As the Midwest continues to attract more residents and stabilize its housing market, St. Louis stands to benefit from this positive momentum.
The rental vacancy rates Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on July 29th, 2024 
In a recent deep dive into the world of “office exclusive” listings, we uncovered some surprising trends within the St. Louis metropolitan area. Our previous analysis revealed that 22.6% of listings in St. Charles County and 28.8% in St. Louis County were classified as “office exclusive”, sparking a conversation about who truly benefits from these types of listings.
Unveiling St. Louis MSA Stats
MARIS, the regional MLS, holds the key to the actual number of office exclusive listings, a piece of data that remains hidden from public view and member brokers alike. However, through meticulous data compilation over the Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on July 25th, 2024
In today’s competitive real estate market, “office exclusive” listings have become a notable, and at times, rather heated, topic of discussion among agents. Recently, we took a closer look at the prevalence of these listings in St Charles County and St Louis County, Missouri. Our findings, illustrated in the chart below, reveal that 22.6% of listings in St Charles County and 28.8% in St Louis County are “office exclusive” listings.
Understanding Office Exclusive Listings
According to MLS rules, office exclusive listings cannot be advertised or listed on the MLS. This means they are not visible on the thousands of real Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on July 24th, 2024 
This week, on July 23rd, the St. Louis REALTORS® Association implemented new and revised contract forms and agreements for use by Realtors throughout St. Louis and the surrounding areas. These updates are a direct response to significant changes in industry practices resulting from the settlement of massive class action lawsuits by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). For a detailed breakdown of these changes, you can refer to the settlement agreement below.
The revisions aim to align current practices with the legal outcomes of these settlements, ensuring compliance and fostering transparency in real estate transactions. One of the pivotal changes Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on July 21st, 2024 
Nestled in the western suburbs of St. Louis, Wildwood, MO, is a thriving community known for its picturesque landscapes, top-rated schools, and a blend of suburban and rural charm. Established in 1995, Wildwood offers residents a high quality of life with its extensive parks, trails, and outdoor activities, making it a sought-after location for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Popular Communities in Wildwood High School Areas Lafayette High School Area Real Estate Search Eureka High School Area Real Estate Search Marquette High School Area Real Estate Search Rockwood Summit High School Area Real Estate Search Middle School Areas Wildwood Middle Continue Reading →
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