Legal and Regulatory - St Louis Real Estate News

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 →

Missouri Cracks Down on Sale-Leasebacks…Mandatory Warnings, Delays, and $10K Penalties

By Dennis Norman, on April 14th, 2026

A lesser-known but very significant part of Missouri Senate Bill 1001 could have a major impact on sale-leaseback transactions, a strategy often used by distressed homeowners and investors. While most attention has focused on wholesaling, this portion of the bill introduces strict new disclosure requirements designed to protect sellers who sell their home and then rent it back. Like the wholesaling provisions, this is part of the perfected bill that has passed the Senate and is now in the House, but has not yet become law.

Under SB 1001, any buyer involved in a sale-leaseback transaction must provide the seller Continue Reading →

Missouri SB 1001 Targets Real Estate Wholesalers…Here’s What It Means for Investors

By Dennis Norman, on April 14th, 2026

A major piece of legislation moving through Jefferson City could significantly impact real estate wholesalers and contract assignment deals in Missouri, and it’s something investors and flippers in the St. Louis market need to be watching closely. Senate Bill 1001, in its perfected form, has already passed the Missouri Senate and is now under consideration in the House, but it has not yet become law. If passed and signed, it will introduce new disclosure requirements that directly affect wholesalers assigning contracts.

The key provision for investors is the new requirement that any “wholesaler” entering into a contract to purchase residential Continue Reading →

Kirkwood Demolition Lawsuit Tossed…Court Says Neighbors Had No Right to Stop 751 N Taylor Ave Project

By Dennis Norman, on April 7th, 2026

A recent court decision involving the historic home at 751 North Taylor Avenue in Kirkwood makes one thing very clear…just because people don’t like what a property owner is doing doesn’t mean they have the legal right to stop it.

The case, Fogarty et al vs. Sorkin et al, was filed by neighbors and others trying to block the demolition of the Marquitz-Garesche House, a home built in 1858 and located in Kirkwood’s North Taylor Historic District. The plaintiffs pushed for a restraining order and injunction to stop the demolition, citing historic preservation and concerns about how the City of Continue Reading →

What Actually Happens Between “Clear to Close” and Closing Day

By Karen Moeller, on April 2nd, 2026

Everyone thinks the hard part of buying or selling a home is getting under contract. It isn’t.

By the time a transaction reaches the closing stage, most buyers and sellers assume the difficult work is behind them. The contract is signed, inspections are resolved, and financing is in place. There is a natural sense that the finish line is near and that what remains is largely procedural.

In reality, the final phase of a real estate transaction is often the most delicate. A closing is not a single event. It is a sequence of dependent steps, each requiring Continue Reading →

Vacant Land Fraud Is Exploding. And It’s Showing Up Across St. Louis.

By Karen Moeller, on March 28th, 2026

There’s a version of real estate fraud that doesn’t look dramatic on the surface. No broken locks. No forged checks passed across a closing table. No obvious signs that anything is wrong.

It usually starts with a clean, simple request.

“I own a piece of land. I’d like to sell it.”

And more often than it should, everyone believes them.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reports of vacant land fraud have increased by more than 500% over the past four years. That is not a minor uptick. That is a pattern, and it is reaching markets Continue Reading →

The Most Dangerous Part of Your Real Estate Transaction Isn’t the House

By Karen Moeller, on March 28th, 2026

We spend a lot of time talking about inspections, pricing strategies, and market timing, but the biggest financial risk in a real estate transaction today often has nothing to do with the property itself. It happens quietly, and by the time most people realize what’s going on, it’s already too late.

It’s cybercrime.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s latest Internet Crime Report, Americans lost more than $16 billion to cybercrime in 2024, a 33 percent increase from the year before. Real estate is not a small piece of that problem. It is one of the most targeted.

Why Real Continue Reading →

Credit Score Costs Surge as Hawley Launches Investigation Into FICO Pricing

By Dennis Norman, on March 25th, 2026

Missouri homebuyers could soon see relief from rising mortgage costs as Senator Josh Hawley takes aim at what he calls excessive pricing by credit scoring giant FICO. In a recent move, Hawley launched an investigation into the company’s pricing practices, citing concerns that sharp increases in credit score fees are contributing to housing affordability challenges, particularly for first-time buyers.

According to Hawley’s office, FICO recently doubled its per-score fee from $4.95 to $10.00, a more than 100% increase in just one year. Since most mortgage lenders rely on FICO scores for underwriting, and borrowers often have multiple credit pulls during Continue Reading →

Homeowners Beware: New Fraud Scheme Uses Stolen Identities to Tap Home Equity

By Dennis Norman, on March 23rd, 2026

Real Estate Fraud scheme - targets senior homeowners

There’s a growing type of real estate fraud happening across the country that every homeowner, especially seniors, should be aware of. A recent federal indictment outlines an alleged scheme in which criminals targeted property owners, stole their identities, and tried to obtain loans against homes without the owners’ knowledge. While this case happened outside of St. Louis, the tactics described are not unique to one market and could be attempted here as well.

According to the federal indictment (see full document below), the scheme allegedly involved multiple people working together to gather personal information from victims, create fake identification, and Continue Reading →

Federal Court Blocks FinCEN Rule on Cash Real Estate Deals…Big Win for Investors

By Dennis Norman, on March 20th, 2026

A major federal court decision just delivered a significant win for real estate investors and anyone involved in cash transactions. A U.S. District Court has vacated the FinCEN rule that would have required nationwide reporting of most non-financed residential real estate transactions involving entities and trusts, effectively shutting down the rule before it could fully reshape the investment landscape.

The rule, finalized in 2024 and effective December 1, 2025, would have required reporting on an estimated 800,000 to 850,000 transactions annually, with projected compliance costs ranging from approximately $428 million to $690 million in the first year alone. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} The Continue Reading →

Missouri Homeowners Hit With Nearly 34% Insurance Spike…Lawsuit Abuse May Be Part of the Problem

By Dennis Norman, on March 18th, 2026

lawsuit abuse and homeowners insurance cost

Homeowners across Missouri, including many in the St. Louis area, are feeling the squeeze from sharply rising insurance premiums, and a newly released report suggests legal system abuse may be playing a bigger role than many realize. According to the report, Missouri homeowners insurance premiums have jumped 33.9% from 2021 to 2024, adding yet another affordability challenge for buyers, sellers, and real estate investors.

While severe weather and rebuilding costs are often blamed for rising premiums, the report points to increasing litigation tied to property claims, particularly involving roofing, wind, and hail damage. These lawsuits can drive up claim costs Continue Reading →

Housing Bill Gains Momentum…But Will It Actually Lower Prices?

By Dennis Norman, on March 18th, 2026

Congress Advanced a Big Housing Bill…But It Has Not Become Law Yet

If you are a homeowner, homebuyer, builder, or real estate investor, this is a bill worth watching…but let’s get the facts straight first. H.R. 6644 has not passed Congress yet. The House passed its version of the bill in February, then the Senate passed an amended version in March and sent it back to the House. So, while this housing package has real momentum, it is not law at this point.

The reason this matters is because the Senate did not just rubber-stamp the House bill. It replaced Continue Reading →

New HUD Proposal Could Change Housing Assistance Rules. Here’s What St. Louis Needs to Know.

By Karen Moeller, on March 9th, 2026

On March 2, 2026, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled “Establishing Flexibility for Implementation of Work Requirements and Term Limits.”

This is a proposed rule, not a final regulation. It does not immediately change eligibility for housing assistance. Instead, it would allow local housing authorities and certain HUD-assisted property owners to implement work requirements and time limits for some households receiving federal housing assistance if they choose to do so. Here is what that means and why it matters locally.

What HUD Is Proposing

If finalized, the rule would give Public Continue Reading →

STORM DAMAGE IN 2025? You May Be Owed Up to $5,000 Back on Your Missouri Taxes 💰

By Sandie Hea, on March 5th, 2026

If you own a home in Missouri and your home was hit by the March 2025 hailstorm — the one that left roofs and siding looking like they’d been blasted by a machine gun — or the devastating May 7, 2025 tornado, there is a significant tax opportunity you should not overlook.

Missouri offers a HOMESTEAD DISASTER TAX CREDIT AFFIDAVIT for homeowners who incurred an insurance deductible on their primary residence due to a qualifying 2025 disaster. The form is Missouri Department of Revenue Form 5926 – Homestead Disaster Tax Credit Affidavit

Here is what matters.

If you Continue Reading →

Missouri-Based Veterans United Sued in Federal Class Action…Same Attorneys Behind Sitzer and Moehrl Cases

By Dennis Norman, on February 19th, 2026

A newly filed federal class action lawsuit in Missouri is taking aim at Columbia, Missouri based Veterans United Home Loans, alleging illegal steering practices, undisclosed kickbacks, and violations of federal consumer protection laws. Because the company is headquartered in Missouri and operates nationwide, this case could have meaningful implications for home buyers, agents, and lenders right here in the St. Louis area.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, claims Veterans United and related entities engaged in practices that allegedly steered VA borrowers to affiliated real estate agents and back to Veterans United Continue Reading →

If Radon Is So Dangerous, Why Do We Only Talk About It When You Sell Your House?

By Sandie Hea, on February 14th, 2026

A balanced, investigative look at the science, skepticism, and real-world decisions facing homeowners

Section 1: The Radon Paradox — Why Does This Only Come Up When You Sell a House?

If radon is truly the second leading cause of lung cancer, why don’t we hear about it the way we hear about smoking, air pollution, or even mold? Why does the topic seem to surface mostly during home inspections and real estate transactions — then disappear from everyday conversation?

Many homeowners notice this contradiction. During a purchase, radon suddenly feels urgent, technical, and sometimes expensive. Outside a sale, it Continue Reading →

Federal RECA Claims Reopened for Some St. Louis Residents Impacted by Manhattan Project Radiation

By Dennis Norman, on February 8th, 2026

RECA Claims - Manhattan Project - Coldwater Creek

There is a limited window for St. Louis area residents to seek federal compensation for serious illnesses tied to historic radiation exposure, and time is not on their side. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, commonly known as RECA, was reauthorized in July 2025 and the deadline to file a claim is December 31, 2027. For many families in North County and surrounding areas impacted by Manhattan Project waste, this program may finally provide long overdue financial relief.

RECA is a federal law administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Radiation Exposure Compensation Program. It was created as a non adversarial Continue Reading →

Fake Deeds and 17 Homes: The St. Louis Title Fraud Case Every Homeowner Should Understand

By Karen Moeller, on February 4th, 2026

A recent federal case shows how ownership can be challenged on paper and why a few simple safeguards matter more than most people realize.

Here’s something I didn’t expect to see in a federal indictment this year: 17 St. Louis homes allegedly transferred using fake deeds. Not sold. Not foreclosed. Just reassigned on paper through forged documents. If you’re wondering how that could even happen, you’re not alone. I had the same question. So I dug into how our recording system actually works, where the gaps are, and what homeowners should know.

According to prosecutors, stolen Continue Reading →

Dual Agency in Missouri: The Limitation Buyers and Sellers Often Miss

By Karen Moeller, on January 23rd, 2026

Dual agency is legal in Missouri, but it is frequently misunderstood. At first glance, it can sound efficient. One agent. One transaction. Fewer moving parts. What is often overlooked is the trade-off. When dual agency is established, the agent must step back from full advocacy for both the buyer and the seller.That limitation is significant, and it fundamentally changes the agent’s role in the transaction.

Understanding that shift is essential before agreeing to dual agency.

What dual agency means in Missouri

In Missouri, dual agency occurs when the same brokerage represents both the buyer Continue Reading →

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act: Practical Guidance for St. Louis Residents Who May Qualify

By Karen Moeller, on January 9th, 2026

RECA Radiation Settlement for St Louisa's

You may have seen recent news about the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, often referred to as RECA. For many St. Louis–area families, this is not an abstract policy discussion. It is personal.

The challenge is that most people do not know what the law actually covers, who it applies to, or whether it is worth looking into at all. This article is not about fear, speculation, or legal advice. It is about practical, factual guidance.

What RECA is and what it is not

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act is a federal compensation program, Continue Reading →

Could Missouri Ban Hedge Funds from Buying Homes? A Pre-Filed Bill Says Yes… But Don’t Bet on It Yet

By Dennis Norman, on December 19th, 2025

Could Missouri Block Hedge Funds and Institutional Buyers from buying property in Missouri under House Bill 2077?

A newly pre-filed bill in the Missouri House, HB 2077, aims to stop institutional investors, think hedge funds, private equity firms, and large REITs, from purchasing most residential properties in Missouri starting August 28, 2026. Known as the “End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act,” this bill would force institutional investors to divest any 1 to 4-family homes they already own within three years and ban them from acquiring new ones altogether.

There is no doubt this proposal will generate buzz, especially among real estate investors and professionals who have seen institutional capital change the landscape of the single-family Continue Reading →

Missouri Law Lets Condo Associations Intercept Tenant Rent

By Dennis Norman, on November 24th, 2025

If you’re a landlord renting out a condo in Missouri, you need to understand a key risk that can cost you, even if your mortgage is current. Missouri Statute 448.3-116 gives the condo association an automatic lien for unpaid assessments or fines. This lien attaches from the moment the debt becomes due and can be foreclosed like a mortgage. And yes, this applies even when the tenant is the one supposed to be paying the fees.

The statute goes further. If the unit owner is more than 60 days delinquent on assessments, the association has the right to demand that Continue Reading →

🏡 Unlocking the Bonus Unit: How St. Louis’s Zoning Makeover Could Mean Big Gains for Homeowners & Investors

By Karen Moeller, on October 25th, 2025

Unlocking ADUs. The city of St Louis changes zoning ordinances to allow them.

For the first time in decades, the city of St. Louis is rewriting its zoning playbook — and this change could quietly reshape how we live, build, and invest in the Gateway City.

This isn’t just bureaucratic shuffle. It might be a property-value accelerator in plain sight.

What’s Changing

In July 2025, the Board of Aldermen passed Board Bill 60 (BB 60), an ordinance effective September 29, 2025, which amends the Zoning Code to define, permit, and regulate accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Specifically, it allows both attached and detached ADUs by-right in all residential zones in the City — no Continue Reading →

Supreme Court Lets Floorplan Lawsuit Die. A Win for Home Sellers and Agents

By Dennis Norman, on October 23rd, 2025

Fair Use of Floor Plans - Dreamworks verse Columbia House of Brokers

Good news for Missouri home sellers and real estate agents. On Monday (October 20th), the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a long-running lawsuit that could have changed how listings are marketed. The lawsuit, filed by a Columbia, Missouri-based home designer, claimed that a real estate brokerage broke copyright law by posting a floorplan online to help sell a home. After years of back and forth, the courts decided that using a floorplan in this way is legal under the “fair use” rule. That decision now stands for good.

So what does this mean for you? If you’re selling your Continue Reading →

Missouri Insurance Department Halts Cancellations for Storm-Damaged Homes

By Dennis Norman, on October 14th, 2025

Insurance Protection Storm Damaged Homes in St Louis and Missouri

Missouri Insurance Department halts cancellations for storm-damaged homes

If your Missouri home was damaged in the spring 2025 storms and you’re still working through repairs, your insurer cannot cancel or non-renew your policy because of the storm damage or related claims. In a new directive, DCI ordered companies to keep coverage in force for storm-affected residential properties statewide for weather losses occurring after March 1, 2025. The department also told insurers to reverse any cancellations or non-renewals already sent out for this reason. Normal exceptions still apply, such as cancellations for non-payment and properties that weren’t damaged. The bulletin notes Continue Reading →

FTC Lawsuit Alleges Zillow-Redfin Deal Stifles Competition and Hurts Renters

By Dennis Norman, on September 30th, 2025

FTC Lawsuit Alleges Zillow-Redfin Deal Stifles Competition and Hurts Renters

In what could be a major shake-up for the rental housing market, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Zillow and Redfin, claiming the two companies struck an illegal agreement that essentially kills off competition in the online rental advertising space. According to the FTC, Zillow paid Redfin $100 million earlier this year to abandon its multifamily rental advertising business, hand over key customer data, and even help Zillow poach Redfin employees. The result? Redfin stopped selling rental ads and now only displays Zillow’s listings on its Continue Reading →

Class Action Alleges Zillow Misleads Home Buyers and Hides Fees

By Dennis Norman, on September 20th, 2025

Class Action Lawsuit Against Zillow over Premier Agent Referral Fees

A federal class-action lawsuit filed September 19, 2025, claims Zillow uses its dominant position in online real estate to mislead home buyers and conceal referral-based payments. The complaint states that Zillow “tricks [buyers] into signing up with a Zillow agent,” describing a system that hides Zillow’s involvement behind user-friendly website buttons and misleads consumers into thinking they are contacting the listing agent.

The lawsuit states: “Zillow’s website has a big button in bright blue lettering posted next to the house listing that says ‘Contact Agent’… Buyers, however, naturally believe they are contacting the listing agent. Instead, they are routed to Continue Reading →

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

By Sandie Hea, 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 →

New Laws Signed in Missouri Give Landlords More Power—And Require Written Buyer Agreements

By Dennis Norman, on July 15th, 2025

HB 595 rE Landlord - Tenant Rights and Buyers Agent Representation Signed Into Law by Governor Kehoe

Yesterday, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed into law House Bills 595 and 596, bringing significant changes that will impact landlords, tenants, property managers, investors, and real estate professionals across the state. This newly enacted legislation strengthens private property rights and tightens requirements for agency relationships in real estate transactions, two key areas anyone involved in Missouri real estate should pay close attention to.

For landlords and investors, HB 595 limits how local governments can regulate rental housing. Specifically, the law prohibits cities and counties from setting rent control measures, imposing restrictions on how landlords screen tenants, or mandating specific lease Continue Reading →

How the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Could Slash Taxes for St. Louis Homeowners and Fuel Local Housing Projects

By Dennis Norman, on July 2nd, 2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill good for St Louis

Here’s an update on the One Big Beautiful Bill, fresh from its razor-thin Senate win and heading to the House.

Bottom line for the St. Louis market: The Senate kept nearly all the real-estate perks from the original plan and added a few new benefits that could mean lower taxes for homeowners across the metro, extra take-home pay for small landlords, and more funding for affordable housing projects.

What stayed the same:

Tax brackets and the standard deduction remain locked in and permanent. No surprise rate hikes in 2026. The tax break for small Continue Reading →