By Dennis Norman, on February 10th, 2025 
St. Louis, take a look at our live, interactive chart for January YTD home sales—a snapshot that tells quite a story. Here’s a breakdown of what the numbers are saying and why they matter to you.
A Look at the Data
January 2025: YTD home sales came in at 1,674. That’s an 8% drop from January 2024’s 1,820 sales. Recent Year-Over-Year Shifts: 2020 to 2021: Sales surged from 2,060 to 2,539—a jump of roughly 23%. 2021 to 2022: A cooling set in with a decline of about 7.7% (from 2,539 down to 2,343). 2022 to 2023: We saw a dramatic Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on February 9th, 2025 
The real estate market in the Metro East area continues to show strong growth, with the median sold price for homes reaching $186,000 in January 2025. This represents a 13.59% increase from the same time last year, when the median sold price was $163,750. The chart below, available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®, illustrates this upward trend.
In addition to the increase in sold prices, the median list price for homes in the Metro East area also saw a significant jump, reaching $187,450 in January 2025. This is a 14.51% increase from January 2024, when the median list price was $163,700.
Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on February 8th, 2025 
The real estate market in St Charles County saw a slight increase in median sold price during January 2025, according to the latest data from MORE, REALTORS®. Homes sold for a median price of $350,000, which is a 3.40% increase from the same time last year when the median sold price was $338,500. However, this also represents a 2.78% decrease from December 2024, when the median sold price was $360,000.
The median list price also saw an increase, rising to $350,000 from $339,999 in January 2024. This shows a 2.94% year-over-year increase in list price. In terms of sales, there Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on February 7th, 2025 
The real estate market in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) continued to show strong growth in January 2025, according to the latest data from MORE, REALTORS®. Homes in the stl msa update sold for a median price of $256000, representing an 11.33% increase from January 2024 when the median sold price was $229950. This also marks a 0.39% increase from December 2024, when the median sold price was $255000.
The median list price for homes in the stl msa update was $250000, a 9.17% increase from January 2024’s median list price of $229000. Despite the increase in prices, Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on February 6th, 2025 
A new interactive map making the rounds shows cities and counties across the country and whether it’s more affordable to buy a home or rent in 2025. So, how does the St. Louis metro stack up? Let’s break it down.
The data highlights three key counties in our area—St. Charles, St. Louis County, and St. Louis City—and in all three, buying is still the better financial move. However, affordability varies significantly:
St. Charles County Median Home Price: $358,698 Home Affordability: 40.6% of income Rental Affordability: 45.9% of income Weekly Wages: $1,115 With solid wages and better affordability, St. Charles Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on February 6th, 2025 
Big changes are coming to Austin’s real estate market, and while they might seem far away, they could signal future shifts in St. Louis. The Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR), which owns and operates Unlock MLS (formerly ACTRIS), has announced that starting in June 2025, real estate agents will no longer be required to be REALTOR® members to access the MLS. This means agents in Austin can now choose whether or not to join the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) while still being able to list homes on the MLS. Could something like this happen in St. Louis? Not without Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on February 6th, 2025 
The real estate market in Franklin County, Missouri continued its upward trend in January 2025, with a median sold price of $280,000. This represents an impressive 18.64% increase from the same time last year, when the median sold price was $236,000. The chart below, available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®, illustrates this significant jump in home prices.
Not only did home prices increase year over year, but they also saw a 13.15% increase from the previous month. In December 2024, the median sold price was $247,450, making January 2025 the third consecutive month of double-digit price growth. This is great news Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on February 5th, 2025 
Homeowners in the St. Louis metro area might be hearing about skyrocketing insurance premiums, but there’s some good news—our region is in a much better position than many others. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) shows that while homeowners insurance costs are up 33% nationwide since 2020, much of that increase is hitting high-risk disaster zones and areas heavily reliant on reinsurance. Unlike coastal states dealing with hurricanes and wildfires, Missouri and Illinois have far less exposure to these risks, and insurers here aren’t nearly as dependent on expensive reinsurance policies. That means while we’re Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 27th, 2025 
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recently released its 2024 Member Profile, offering valuable insights into the business activity of REALTORS®. One of the most compelling findings is in Chapter 2, particularly Exhibit 2-6, which sheds light on the number of residential transaction sides completed by agents. Here’s what the data reveals and why it matters.
Residential Sides: A Snapshot of REALTOR® Activity
In 2023, the median number of residential transaction sides completed by REALTORS® was 10, a decline from prior years, reflecting the challenges of the current housing market. The breakdown of residential sides highlights the disparity in activity Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 24th, 2025 
As wildfires devastate parts of Los Angeles, it’s a sobering reminder to St. Louis homeowners to assess their own fire insurance coverage. While wildfires aren’t a concern here, house fires caused by electrical malfunctions, kitchen accidents, or lightning strikes are an ever-present risk. Ensuring you have the right coverage in place can make all the difference in protecting your home and your financial future.
What to Know About Your Homeowners Insurance Policy
Fire damage is typically covered by most homeowners insurance policies, but understanding the details of your coverage is critical:
Policy Limits: Are the coverage limits sufficient to rebuild Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 23rd, 2025 
The real estate industry’s relationship with the National Association of Realtors faces mounting challenges as multiple lawsuits emerge nationwide. Texas broker Lou Eytalis recently joined others in challenging NAR’s mandatory membership requirements for MLS access (see lawsuit complaint below), with similar cases in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. These suits coincide with controversy over NAR’s Standard of Practice 10-5, which has sparked First Amendment challenges from both brokers and agents who argue the rule improperly restricts speech by banning hate speech and discriminatory language on personal social media accounts.
These legal challenges come amid a turbulent Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 22nd, 2025 
When it comes to understanding home prices, many consumers focus on the dollar amounts they see in headlines. However, these numbers don’t always tell the whole story. A fascinating perspective emerges when we compare home prices not just in U.S. dollars but in terms of gold, a historical store of value. The chart below reveals that when measured in gold, home prices have remained relatively stable since the late 1980s, with the exception of the housing bubble and its subsequent crash.
While the dollar-based chart shows an upward trajectory in home prices, surging over 250% since the year 2000, the Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 22nd, 2025 
Recent data from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) charts below reveal interesting insights about St. Louis home prices in relation to the M2 money supply. Over the last several years, St. Louis home prices, represented by the red line, have steadily risen, reaching their current index value of 302.78 in Q3 2024. At the same time, the M2 money supply, shown by the blue line, has seen a more dramatic fluctuation, particularly during and after the pandemic, with a current value of over $21 trillion.
Historically, as the M2 money supply increases, home prices tend to rise as well, Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 21st, 2025 
The latest months supply data for the St. Louis metro area reveals a tale of two markets: cities with high inventory signaling better opportunities for buyers and areas with low supply creating an advantage for sellers. For homebuyers and investors flexible on location, cities like Breckenridge Hills and Gerald, each with 8 months of inventory, could offer more negotiating power. In contrast, fast-moving areas like Webster Groves and Ballwin, with less than one month of supply, reflect strong demand and competition.
For sellers, being in a low-supply market is good news. A tighter inventory means fewer homes for buyers to Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 20th, 2025 
Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary who championed equality, justice, and the inherent dignity of all people. His fight against systemic injustices extended to housing discrimination, a battle that continues to shape communities across the nation, including right here in St. Louis.
Fair housing has been a cornerstone of efforts to ensure everyone has access to safe, affordable homes without fear of discrimination. Landmark legislation like the Fair Housing Act of 1968 is part of Dr. King’s enduring legacy, prohibiting discriminatory practices based on race, color, national origin, religion, and other protected classes. Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 19th, 2025 
The St Louis County real estate market continues to show strong growth as we enter the new year. According to the latest data from MORE, REALTORS®, homes in the St Louis County update sold for a median price of $260,000 in December 2024. This represents a 15.56% increase from December 2023, when the median sold price was $225,000.
Despite this significant year-over-year increase, last month’s median sold price of $260,000 actually saw a slight decrease of 3.70% compared to November 2024, when the median sold price was $270,000. The median list price for homes in St Louis County also saw Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 17th, 2025 
A recent lawsuit that reached the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and concluded with a ruling on January 14, 2025, sheds light on a significant issue for homeowners and REALTORS® alike regarding copyright infringement and the use of floor plans in marketing homes. The case, Designworks Homes, Inc. v. House of Brokers Realty, Inc., involved Columbia, Missouri-based House of Brokers Realty and other defendants, and revolved around whether real estate agents and brokers could use floor plans in marketing properties without infringing on copyrights. Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of the defendants, citing the fair use Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 16th, 2025 
Based on the chart provided, the Purchase Index, which tracks mortgage applications for home purchases, has shown slight fluctuations over the past year. Notably, the trend reflects a stabilization in demand despite the persistent upward trajectory of mortgage rates, which now hover near 7%. This indicates resilience among homebuyers, who continue to pursue purchases despite rising costs.
Higher interest rates typically discourage borrowing, but this data suggests that the housing market is finding ways to adapt. If you’re navigating today’s market, working with an experienced brokerage like MORE, REALTORS® can help you identify opportunities that fit your goals.
The Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 16th, 2025
Are you in the market to buy or sell a home in the St. Louis metropolitan area? Look no further! According to recent data, the fastest selling zip codes in this region are 63630 in Washington, MO, 63044 in St. Louis, MO, and 62095 in Madison-IL, IL. These zip codes have an average of 8-11 listings on the market for just 25-30 days, making them prime locations for buyers and sellers alike.
If you’re a potential home buyer, these zip codes offer a competitive market with a variety of options to choose from. And for sellers, the fast turnover rate Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 15th, 2025 
The latest data from the jefferson county update real estate market shows a continued upward trend in home prices. According to the chart below, which is available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®, the median sold price for homes in Jefferson County during December 2024 was $265000, a 3.92% increase from the previous year. This also marks a 2.32% increase from November 2024, when the median sold price was $259000.
The median list price for homes in the jefferson county update remained steady at $259900, showing no change from December 2023. However, there were 170 home sales in December 2024, a slight Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 14th, 2025 
The Supreme Court yesterday declined to review the National Association of REALTORS’ (NAR) appeal to block the Department of Justice (DOJ) from resuming its antitrust investigation. This decision allows the DOJ to reopen its probe into NAR’s practices, including the Clear Cooperation Policy and the Participation Rule, both of which have been criticized for limiting competition in the real estate industry.
The Clear Cooperation Policy requires listing brokers to submit a property to their Realtor-affiliated MLS within one business day of marketing it publicly. This policy was intended to ensure transparency but has faced allegations of reducing competition and restricting Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 12th, 2025 
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 school districts in the area. According to recent statistics, the top three districts with the shortest average time on the market are Wood River-Hartford DIST 15 in Wood River, IL, Kingston K-14 in Unincorporated, MO, and Pontiac-W Holliday DIST 105 in , IL.
With only 6 active listings and an average of 19 days on the market, Wood River-Hartford DIST 15 takes the top spot. This district boasts a diverse Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 10th, 2025 
St. Louis lawmakers have introduced three significant bills aimed at increasing accountability for owners of vacant and deteriorated properties, building on the recent approval of Proposition V, which lifted a decades-old cap on fines for ordinance violations. With nearly 14,000 city properties having outstanding code violations and over 24,000 vacant properties in the city, these bills seek to address issues that have long plagued St. Louis neighborhoods.
The proposed legislation includes Board Bill 169, introduced by Alderman Michael Browning, which raises fines for vacant and deteriorated properties from $25 for the first violation to $100, with repeat offenses escalating to Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 10th, 2025 
During the 12-month period ending November 30, 2024, a total of 3,756 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This marks a 2.47% decrease from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,851 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 an increase in permits. Lincoln County continues to show great growth in new construction with an increase nearly 82%.
Search St Louis Homes For Sale Search St Louis New Homes For Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 10th, 2025 
In the world of residential real estate, there’s an interesting contradiction that’s worth exploring. Investors spend significant time, money, and effort targeting homeowners before their properties ever reach the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Why? Because off-market properties often yield the best deals, allowing investors to avoid competition and negotiate favorable terms. Yet, at the same time, we see a growing trend among listing agents—professionals with a fiduciary duty to act in their clients’ best interests—choosing strategies that keep properties off the MLS as well. This curious alignment of methods raises important questions about the motives and implications of such practices.
Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 9th, 2025
The metro east real estate market continues to show strong growth as we enter the new year. According to the latest data from MORE, REALTORS®, homes in the metro east area sold for a median price of $185,000 in December 2024. This represents a 2.78% increase from the median sold price of $180,000 in December 2023. The chart below, available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®, illustrates this steady growth in median sold prices over the past year.
However, there was a slight decrease in median sold price compared to the previous month, with December 2024 seeing a 10.41% decrease from November Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 8th, 2025
As of December 2024, the real estate market in St Charles County has seen a slight increase in median sold price compared to the previous year. According to the latest data available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®, homes in the area sold for a median price of $360,000, a 0.63% increase from December 2023 when the median sold price was $357,750.
However, there was a slight decrease in median sold price from the previous month, November 2024, when the median sold price was $362,500. This represents a decrease of 0.69% from the current month’s median sold price.
The median list price Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 7th, 2025 
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has expanded its antitrust lawsuit against RealPage by naming six of the nation’s largest landlords as defendants, according to the amended complaint filed recently. These landlords are accused of participating in a coordinated pricing scheme that relied on sensitive competitive data and algorithmic pricing tools to maintain elevated rents, impacting millions of renters across the U.S.
The landlords named in the amended complaint—Greystar Real Estate Partners, Blackstone’s LivCor, Camden Property Trust, Cushman & Wakefield, Willow Bridge Property Company, and Cortland Management—operate more than 1.3 million rental units nationwide. The DOJ alleges that these landlords not Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 7th, 2025
The real estate market in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) saw continued growth in December 2024, with a median sold price of $260,000. This represents a 9.24% increase from December 2023, when the median sold price was $238,000. However, there was a slight decrease of 1.89% from November 2024, when the median sold price was $265,000. These figures are based on data exclusively available from MORE, REALTORS®.
The median list price in December 2024 also saw an increase of 8.33%, rising from $240,000 in December 2023 to $260,000. This indicates strong demand for homes in the St. Louis Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on January 6th, 2025
The real estate market in Franklin County, Missouri continues to show strong growth as we enter the new year. According to the latest data from MORE, REALTORS®, homes in the Franklin County area sold for a median price of $255,000 in December 2024. This represents a 10.87% increase from December 2023, when the median sold price was $230,000. Furthermore, last month’s median sold price of $255,000 also saw a 7.94% increase from November 2024, when the median sold price was $236,250.
The median list price in Franklin County also saw a significant increase, reaching $275,000 in December 2024. This is Continue Reading →
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