Missouri Becomes the First State to Eliminate Capital Gains Taxes for Individuals

By , on September 10th, 2025
Missouri Eliminates Capital Gains Tax - First state to do so

In July 2025, Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bill 594, a groundbreaking reform that retroactively eliminates all Missouri state capital gains taxes for individuals, effective January 1, 2025. With this law, Missouri becomes the first U.S. state imposing an individual income tax to completely exempt personal capital gains from state taxation. Now, all capital gains—whether short-term or long-term, from sales of stocks, bonds, real estate, cryptocurrency, or businesses—are fully deductible from Missouri taxable income, thanks to a 100% subtraction for individuals.

This tax shift delivers powerful incentives across the board:

Real estate investors—especially those holding rental properties—face less friction when Continue Reading →

Why a Vacant House Won’t Sell Itself — And What to Do About It

By , on May 19th, 2025
Benefits of staging your home when listing it for sale

After 38 years in real estate, I’ve seen the same pattern again and again: vacant homes don’t just look empty—they feel empty. And they don’t sell as well.

When buyers scroll through listings online, they’re not just looking for square footage or appliance brands—they’re looking for a feeling. They want to imagine their life in the space. And that’s nearly impossible when a home is empty, stark, and echoing.

Without furniture, every flaw screams louder. Wall dings, floor scratches, awkward corners—they stand out because there’s nothing else to catch the eye. There’s no warmth, no sense of scale, and no Continue Reading →

Missouri’s New Homestead Property Tax Credit: Relief for Senior Homeowners

By , on September 5th, 2024
Senior Property Tax Freeze - St Louis, MO

A significant change in property tax law took effect in Missouri on August 28, 2024, offering financial relief to many of our senior residents. The newly implemented Homestead Property Tax Credit is designed to help senior citizens manage their property tax liabilities more effectively. Here are the key points of the new law:

Eligibility: Missouri residents who are 62 years or older, own their home, and are liable for real property taxes. Credit Amount: The credit equals the difference between the current tax liability and the tax liability during the taxpayer’s initial credit year. Local Adoption: Counties can adopt the Continue Reading →

Most Consumers Who Sold to Opendoor Lost Money According to FTC Complaint

By , on August 3rd, 2022

Maybe you’ve received an unsolicited offer recently to buy your home via email or postcard from Opendoor, a home buying firm. OpenDoor will make an offer on your house, bypassing the traditional method of selling your home via a REALTOR® using the MLS (which reaches 13,000+ REALTORS®) and entices you with catchy phrases on their website like “Get an instant offer and get paid” and “Skip showings and repairs”. It can sound good and SIMPLE but, according to the FTC complaint against OPENDOOR LABS, Inc. (Opendoor) and the agreement and consent order, “…consumers who sold to Opendoor have lost money Continue Reading →