By Dennis Norman, on November 13th, 2025 
In November 2025, St. Louis homebuyers are seeing a favorable shift in mortgage rates as the trend continues downward. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased to 6.29%, a slight drop of 0.05% from last week. This reduction offers a slight reprieve in what has been a challenging market for prospective homeowners. Similarly, the 15-year fixed rate has decreased to 5.80%, down by 0.04%, providing additional options for those looking to finance or refinance their homes.
These falling rates are a positive development for the St. Louis market, potentially easing monthly payments for buyers and improving affordability. Sellers may also Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on November 13th, 2025 
Before I was ever a REALTOR, a friend of my husband’s bought a small bungalow to rent out. He was proud of the renovation, every shingle and fixture chosen by hand, and eager to start earning after the bills stacked up.
His first tenant seemed ideal. A well-spoken man explained that his niece was coming to St. Louis for college and needed housing. Nice car, polished demeanor, the kind of tenant every landlord hopes for.
The rent came on time. Everything looked fine.
Three months later, my friend got a call from the police. The “niece” didn’t exist. The home Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on November 12th, 2025 
In the dynamic real estate market of the St. Louis metropolitan area, understanding which school districts are experiencing rapid home sales can provide a competitive edge for both buyers and sellers. Currently leading the pack is Wolf Branch DIST 113 in St. Clair County, Illinois, where homes are being snapped up in an average of just 28 days. With 7 active listings and an average list price of $366,943, this district is attracting families looking for both quality education and a swift home-buying process.
Following closely is the Wood River-Hartford DIST 15 in Madison County, Illinois, with homes on the Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on November 12th, 2025 
Every seller has said it—or heard it: “It’s just paint—buyers can always repaint.”
That little phrase has tanked more first impressions (and offers) than shag carpet and avocado appliances combined. Because here’s the real story: paint isn’t just decoration—it’s persuasion.
The Hype
“Buyers can look past color.” Sure—in theory. But humans don’t buy houses in theory; they buy them emotionally. And color hits emotion before logic even shows up.
When a home feels heavy, dark, or dated, buyers don’t say, “We could fix that.” They say, “Let’s keep looking.” And they do—usually toward a home that looks bright, fresh, and Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on November 11th, 2025 
When an out-of-state investor hired a St. Louis property management company to handle her “passive income” portfolio, she pictured auto-deposits and serenity. Instead, she got unpaid utilities, tenants who’d gone AWOL, deferred maintenance, and an electrical shut-off on inspection day. (There’s nothing like meeting your buyer by flashlight to remind you how active “passive income” can get.)
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Roughly one in five St. Louis rental properties is owned by someone who lives outside Missouri — and too many assume “property management” means “set it and forget it.” Spoiler: it doesn’t.
When Property Managers Drop the Ball Continue Reading →
By Cathy Lirette, on November 11th, 2025 
After serving our country, no veteran should struggle to own a home, especially when one of the best loan programs in America was created just for us. Yet every year, I meet veterans in the St. Louis area who either don’t know they qualify for a VA loan or were told it’s too complicated to use.
As both a veteran and a real estate broker, that frustrates me. The VA Home Loan isn’t a handout; it’s a benefit earned through service. It’s also one of the most powerful tools available for building financial security and homeownership.
Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on November 10th, 2025 
The Open House Myth: Why Most Homes Don’t Sell on Sunday Afternoons
Ask ten sellers how they plan to sell their home, and at least half will say, “We’ll do an open house — that’s how you get buyers in the door.”
It sounds logical. People walk in, fall in love, and write an offer before dessert. But here’s the truth: open houses rarely sell the house they’re hosted in.
The Hype
Open houses feel productive. There’s movement, conversation, cookies on the counter, and maybe a nosy neighbor or two peeking in. Sellers love Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on November 9th, 2025 
It sounds simple: skip the agent, skip the commission, keep more money. In practice, the For Sale by Owner (FSBO) route often costs sellers time, money, and peace of mind — and usually nets less than they expect.
The Hype
On paper, the math looks tempting. Why pay a percentage when you can put up a sign, post online, and wait for offers? The problem: that commission also covers massive marketing reach, pricing expertise, negotiation, and risk management — the exact places where DIY sellers tend to lose ground.
The Reality
Independent surveys consistently show that FSBO homes sell for Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on November 9th, 2025 
The Metro East real estate market continues its upward trajectory as of November 2025, with significant gains in both home prices and sales volume. In October 2025, homes in the Metro East area sold for a median price of $220,000, marking a 7.32% increase from the previous year when the median was $205,000. This also represents a 2.33% rise from September 2025’s median sold price of $215,000. The median list price reached $232,500, a notable 13.41% increase from October 2024’s $205,000.
The market’s vitality is further highlighted by the 678 home sales recorded in October 2025, a 7.45% increase compared Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on November 8th, 2025 
The Spring Real Estate Market Myth
Every year, right around Valentine’s Day, someone says it: “We’ll wait until spring to list — that’s when everyone buys.”
It sounds logical. The grass is greener, flowers bloom, and families want to move after the school year. But in reality, this well-worn belief doesn’t hold up in the St. Louis market. Spring might be busy, but it’s not the only season that sells homes — and in many cases, it’s not even the best one.
The Hype
For decades, national media and marketing campaigns have painted Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on November 8th, 2025 
The St. Charles County real estate market demonstrated steady growth in October 2025, with homes selling for a median price of $365,000. This marks a 1.39% increase from October 2024, when the median sold price was $360,000. Additionally, the current median sold price reflects a 2.82% rise compared to September 2025’s $355,000. The median list price also saw a significant increase, reaching $437,163, up 21.77% from $359,000 in October 2024.
The market activity in St. Charles County remained strong, with 517 homes sold in October 2025, a 1.77% increase from the 508 homes sold during the same period last year. Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on November 7th, 2025 
The Myth of the Perfect New-Build Home
Few things feel more exciting than walking through a brand-new home. Fresh paint. Perfect grout lines. Not a fingerprint on the fridge. For many buyers, it’s the dream — a house no one has ever lived in, with that new-home smell and the promise of zero surprises.
But here’s the myth worth busting: new construction doesn’t mean problem-free. It just means different problems.
The Hype
When buyers hear “new,” they often picture worry-free living — no leaky roofs, no ancient HVAC systems, no mid-century electrical panels Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on November 7th, 2025 
The St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) real estate market continues to show robust growth as of November 2025. Homes in the region sold for a median price of $290,000 in October 2025, marking a 3.57% increase from the $280,000 median price recorded in October 2024. This upward trend is further highlighted by a 1.75% rise from September 2025, where the median sold price was $285,000.
The median list price for homes also saw a significant increase, reaching $300,000 in October 2025. This represents a 7.14% growth compared to October 2024, when the median list price was $280,000. Additionally, Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on November 6th, 2025
In November 2025, mortgage rates for the St. Louis real estate market have continued their upward trajectory, presenting new challenges for prospective homebuyers and sellers. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has increased to 6.37%, up by 0.04% from previous levels. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed rate saw a more significant rise of 0.06%, now sitting at 5.86%. These increases reflect a broader trend of climbing rates, with the 30-year FHA and Jumbo loans also experiencing hikes, reaching 6.09% and 6.40%, respectively. Notably, the adjustable-rate mortgage (7/6 SOFR ARM) has risen to 6.03%, further narrowing the options for those seeking lower initial payments.
Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on November 6th, 2025 
If you’ve toured a home lately, you’ve probably heard it: “Don’t worry about the rate — you can always refinance later.”
It’s catchy, comforting, and — unfortunately — a little too convenient.
The “buy now, refinance later” pitch became the industry’s favorite lullaby as rates rose. It was meant to calm nervous buyers, but it’s drifted into wishful thinking disguised as strategy.
The Hype
The logic goes like this: get in the market now, build equity, and when rates drop (soon!), you’ll simply refinance and cut your payment. Easy math, right?
But that promise assumes a crystal ball. Rates Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on November 5th, 2025 
Everywhere you look, there’s a new “AI-powered” home-value tool promising to tell you what your property is worth before you’ve even finished your morning coffee. Just type in your address and, like magic, you’ve got a number. It feels efficient, even futuristic.
But here’s the truth: those instant valuations might be sleek, but they’re often missing the very thing that makes real estate human — context.
The algorithms behind these estimates pull from public data, recent sales, and square footage, but they can’t sense the difference between updated and well-loved versus 1970s time capsule. They don’t know that the home Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on November 1st, 2025 
When the air turns crisp and pumpkin-spice lattes make their annual comeback, another seasonal ritual quietly unfolds across St. Louis neighborhoods: the boundary dispute. Yes, October is the month when falling leaves, overhanging branches, and the great “whose tree is that?” debate takes center stage.
Why Fall Brings Out the Turf Wars
Blame it on the leaves—or the timing. As summer ends, more homeowners turn their attention outdoors, tackling gutters, fences, and yard cleanup. That’s when property lines get a little fuzzy. One neighbor trims the branches hanging over their fence; another rakes leaves from a tree technically rooted Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on October 31st, 2025 
If you’ve driven through downtown Kirkwood lately, you’ve probably noticed the fencing, cranes, and construction buzz surrounding the historic Kirkwood Train Station. What looks like disruption is actually a once-in-a-generation investment … and one that’s likely to pay dividends for both the city and its homeowners.
🚆 From 1893 to 2026: A Legacy in Motion
Built in 1893, the Kirkwood Station has long been more than a train stop. It’s been a community landmark — a place where families greeted returning college kids, commuters caught the Amtrak to Chicago, and visitors got their first glimpse of Kirkwood’s small-town-with-soul charm. It’s Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 30th, 2025
As of October 30, 2025, St. Louis homebuyers are seeing a consistent upward trend in mortgage rates, with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising by 0.14% to reach 6.27%. This significant increase signals a shift in the St. Louis real estate market, where rates have consistently moved higher. The 15-year fixed rate also saw a rise, now at 5.82%, marking a 0.10% increase. These changes reflect broader economic trends impacting borrowing costs.
The implications for buyers and sellers in the St. Louis area are considerable. With higher mortgage rates, potential homebuyers may face increased monthly payments, prompting some to reconsider Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on October 30th, 2025 
For weeks after the winds died down on May 16, 2025, the St. Louis tornado left more than just rooftops shattered and trees uprooted – it cracked open the hidden workings of our housing market.
Meet Denise Harris (name changed for privacy). She spent the afternoon of the storm standing in her Walnut Park living room as a brick chimney collapsed sideways, before walking out to the curb and watching three men in out-of-state plates stop by: “You ready to sell?” they asked.
For families like Denise’s, the trauma is immediate. But for the Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 30th, 2025 
A pending bill in the Illinois Senate, HB3564, aims to limit rental fees and increase transparency, but it raises real concerns for landlords and property managers. While I’m fully in favor of transparency and clear disclosure of fees, this bill adds unnecessary restrictions that could reduce housing availability and create inequities in how different types of tenants are treated.
The bill would prohibit landlords from charging move-in fees on top of security deposits and would require that any non-optional fees be listed on the first page of the lease. It also limits background check fees to the **actual cost or Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on October 25th, 2025 
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 →
By Dennis Norman, on October 23rd, 2025
As October 2025 progresses, the St. Louis mortgage market is experiencing mixed movements in interest rates, offering both opportunities and challenges for potential homebuyers and current homeowners. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remains stable at 6.17%, maintaining its position at a moderate level above 6%. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage saw a slight decrease, dipping by 0.02% to stand at 5.73%. These subtle shifts highlight a market in flux, where buyers can still find favorable conditions depending on their financial strategy.
For St. Louis buyers, the unchanged 30-year fixed rate presents an opportunity to lock in a long-term mortgage at a Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 23rd, 2025 
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 →
By Dennis Norman, on October 21st, 2025 
The St. Louis metropolitan area is witnessing a dynamic real estate market, with certain zip codes standing out for their rapid home sales. Leading the pack is zip code 63119 in St. Louis, MO, where homes are flying off the market in an average of just 4 days. With 55 active listings, this area boasts an average list price of $488,575, making it a hot spot for both buyers and sellers looking to make swift transactions. The appeal of 63119 lies in its vibrant community and convenient location, attracting families and professionals alike.
In Illinois, the pace is brisk in Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 21st, 2025 
The St. Louis City real estate market continues to show dynamic changes as of October 2025. Homes sold for a median price of $245,000 in September 2025, marking an impressive 11.36% increase from the median price of $220,000 in September 2024. This upward trend also reflects a 4.26% rise from August 2025, when the median sold price was $235,000.
Interestingly, while the median sold price has increased, the median list price in September 2025 was $220,000, down 4.35% from $230,000 in September 2024. Additionally, the number of home sales in St. Louis City decreased by 9.93%, with 245 homes sold Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 20th, 2025 
The Franklin County real estate market continues to show dynamic changes as of October 2025. Homes sold for a median price of $267,000 in September 2025, marking an 8.54% increase from the median price of $246,000 in September 2024. However, this represents an 8.87% decrease from the previous month’s median of $293,000 in August 2025. The median list price for September 2025 was $295,000, which is an 11.45% rise compared to $264,703 in September 2024.
Home sales in the county saw a significant boost, with 117 homes sold in September 2025, a substantial 34.48% increase from the 87 homes Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 20th, 2025 
The St. Louis County real estate market continues to show robust growth as of October 2025. In September 2025, homes sold for a median price of $295,000, marking a significant increase of 9.26% from September 2024, when the median price was $270,000. This upward trend also reflects a 1.72% rise from August 2025, where the median sold price was $290,000.
Interestingly, while the median sold price has climbed, the median list price has seen a decline. In September 2025, the median list price was recorded at $235,000, a decrease of 14.55% compared to $275,000 in September 2024. Despite this Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 16th, 2025
In a positive shift for the St. Louis real estate market, mortgage rates have continued their downward trend, offering some relief to prospective homebuyers. As of mid-October 2025, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased to 6.27%, dropping by 0.04%. The 15-year fixed rate has also seen a slight reduction, now standing at 5.82%. This consistent decline across various loan types, including FHA, Jumbo, and VA loans, indicates a broader easing in borrowing costs.
For St. Louis buyers and sellers, these rate reductions could signal a more favorable environment for purchasing and refinancing. Lower rates can enhance affordability, potentially boosting Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 15th, 2025 
The Jefferson County real estate market has shown notable activity as of October 2025. In September 2025, homes in the area sold for a median price of $290,000. This marks a 5.96% increase from September 2024, when the median sold price was $273,700. However, this also reflects a slight decrease of 3.33% from August 2025, when the median price was $300,000. Additionally, the median list price in September 2025 was $280,000, a 3.74% rise from $269,900 in the previous year.
The county saw a total of 241 home sales in September 2025, which is a 9.55% increase from the 220 Continue Reading →
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