St Louis Real Estate News - Page 22 of 110 - Daily St. Louis real estate news, market analysis, home prices, and mortgage rate updates from local industry professionals.

The Challenges and Market Impact on Brentwood Forest Condos

By Dennis Norman, on June 7th, 2024

Brentwood Forest Condominiums, one of St. Louis’ largest condo communities, is currently grappling with significant structural repair issues that have cast a shadow over the market’s viability. Following the revelation of maintenance problems, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) temporarily withdrew its loan approval for the development. This decision has significantly impacted both the homeowners and prospective buyers. In a recent article in the St. Louis Business Journal, it was stated that in response to this, the Brentwood Forest Condominium Association (BFCA) was “working diligently to address reported mortgage lending issues.”

The structural issues and subsequent lending restrictions have had a Continue Reading →

Maximizing Home Sale Value for Seniors: A Comprehensive Guide

By Ted Gottlieb, on June 6th, 2024

Selling a home, especially for seniors, can be an emotional and complex process. Whether the decision stems from downsizing, moving to an assisted living community, or addressing economic security concerns, ensuring the home sells for its maximum value is crucial. Here’s how to achieve that, regardless of the home’s condition, without resorting to real estate investors who more often than not offer the best price.

Understanding the Motivation

Firstly, it’s essential to recognize why the sale is happening. Common reasons include:

Downsizing for seniors to a more manageable living space. Transitioning to a senior apartment or assisted living community. Financial Continue Reading →

St. Louis New Home Buyers: Why Partnering with a Real Estate Agent Matters

By Dennis Norman, on June 4th, 2024

When considering the purchase of a new construction home in the St. Louis Metro area, it’s crucial to have a professional real estate agent on your side from the very beginning. Here’s why you shouldn’t work directly with the builder and the benefits of engaging an agent with extensive knowledge and experience in new home construction.

Why Not Work Directly with the Builder?

Builders often have sales agents on-site who are well-versed in their product, but these representatives work for the builder. Their primary goal is to protect the best interests of the builder, not to advocate for the best Continue Reading →

Mortgage Loan Fees Increased Thirty-Six Percent in two years: CFPB Launches Inquiry

By Dennis Norman, on May 30th, 2024

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding fees imposed in residential mortgage transactions. This initiative aims to gather insights and comments from the public about the escalating costs associated with obtaining a mortgage. As homeowners and prospective buyers, this is an opportunity for you to voice your experiences and concerns regarding these fees.

From 2021 to 2023, the median total loan costs for home purchase loans surged by over 36%, with the median dollar amount paid by borrowers in 2022 nearing $6,000. These rising costs, coupled with increased home prices and interest rates, Continue Reading →

Affordable Homeownership: How House Hacking Helps First-Time Buyers in St. Louis

By Dennis Norman, on May 28th, 2024

House hacking is becoming an increasingly popular strategy among younger and first-time homebuyers in many parts of the country, including the St. Louis Metro Area. What is house hacking? Essentially, it involves purchasing a multi-unit property or a single-family home with rentable spaces, offering the new homeowner the opportunity to offset their mortgage payments with rental income. This approach not only reduces living expenses but also helps build equity faster and generate additional income streams.

House hacking offers numerous benefits, particularly in a market like St. Louis where property values are competitive and rental demand is strong. For first-time homebuyers, Continue Reading →

Memorial Day Events: Honoring History and Community in St. Louis

By Dennis Norman, on May 27th, 2024

As we commemorate Memorial Day, it’s a time for reflection on our history and community. In St. Louis, Memorial Day holds particular significance, intertwining with our city’s rich historical tapestry.

The Historical Roots of Memorial Day in St. Louis

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was established after the Civil War to honor fallen soldiers. St. Louis, with its strategic location and historical military significance, has always played a pivotal role in these commemorations. Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, one of the oldest military cemeteries in the United States, serves as the final resting place for over 188,000 soldiers, spanning Continue Reading →

May 2024 Housing Market: Homeowners Locked in by Low Mortgage Rates

By Dennis Norman, on May 22nd, 2024

The Freddie Mac U.S. Economic Housing and Mortgage Market Outlook for May 2024 reveals significant insights into how mortgage interest rates are impacting the housing market, particularly across different generations. With the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage recently surpassing 7%, many prospective homebuyers find themselves priced out of the market. At the same time, current homeowners are hesitant to sell, clinging to historically low rates secured in 2020 and 2021. According to Freddie Mac’s chart below, over 60% of mortgages have rates below 4%, creating a substantial financial disincentive for homeowners to move, effectively locking them into their current homes. Homeowners who Continue Reading →

St. Louis Metro Area YTD Home Sales Show Steady Increase in 2024

By Dennis Norman, on May 19th, 2024

The St. Louis metropolitan area, which covers counties in both Missouri and Illinois, has seen a strong start to the year in terms of home sales. According to data from MORE, REALTORS®, there have been 9,035 homes sold in the St. Louis metro area through the end of April 2024. This represents a 5.54% increase from the same period last year, where 8,561 homes were sold.

While this year’s YTD home sales may be lower compared to four years ago, with a decrease of 11.78%, it is important to note that the overall trend is still positive. This is great Continue Reading →

Discover the Hottest Zip Codes in St. Louis Metro Area for Home Buyers and Sellers

By Dennis Norman, on May 18th, 2024

Are you looking to buy or sell a home in the St. Louis metropolitan area? Look no further! According to recent data, the fastest selling zip code in the area is 62084 in Madison-IL, IL. With an average of only 3 days on the market, homes in this zip code are in high demand. And with an average list price of $187,375, sellers can expect to get top dollar for their properties.

But that’s not all. The second and third fastest selling districts in the St. Louis metro area are also located in Madison-IL, IL and St Clair-IL, IL, respectively. Continue Reading →

Discover the Top 3 Fastest Selling School Districts in St. Louis!

By Dennis Norman, on May 16th, 2024

Attention all home buyers and sellers in the St. Louis metropolitan area! Are you looking for a quick and seamless real estate experience? Look no further than the top three fastest selling school districts in the region. According to recent data, Freeburg DIST 70 in Illinois takes the top spot with an impressive average of only 12 days on the market for its two active listings, with an average list price of $344,000. Coming in at a close second is Windsor C-1 in Unincorporated, MO, with six listings and an average of just 15 days on the market. And rounding Continue Reading →

Metro East Update: Home Prices Continue to Rise in April 2024

By Dennis Norman, on May 15th, 2024

The real estate market in the metro east area is showing no signs of slowing down. According to the latest data from MORE, REALTORS®, homes in the metro east update sold for a median price of $183,711 during April 2024. This represents a 5.58% increase from April 2023, when the median sold price was $174,000.

However, there was a slight decrease of 0.40% compared to March 2024, when the median sold price was $184,450. The median list price also saw a significant increase, rising by 8.79% from $170,000 in April 2023 to $184,950 in April 2024.

The number of home Continue Reading →

St Charles County Real Estate Market Update as of May 2024

By Dennis Norman, on May 15th, 2024

The real estate market in St Charles County, MO continues to show strength and stability as we head into the summer months. According to the latest data available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®, the median sold price for homes in the St Charles County update was $360,000 in April 2024. This represents a 2.06% increase from April 2023, when the median sold price was $352,750.

While there was a slight decrease of 2.82% from the previous month, when the median sold price was $370,450, the overall trend for home prices in St Charles County remains positive. Additionally, the median list price Continue Reading →

Franklin County Real Estate Market Update as of May 2024

By Dennis Norman, on May 14th, 2024

The latest data from the Franklin County update shows a continued upward trend in the real estate market. In April 2024, the median sold price for homes in the county was $245,450, representing a 5.34% increase from the same month last year. This also marks a slight decrease of 0.63% from March 2024.

The median list price for homes in Franklin County was $246,450, a 6.02% increase from April 2023. In terms of sales, there were 108 homes sold in April 2024, a significant 54.29% increase from April 2023.

For a visual representation of this data, refer to the chart Continue Reading →

St. Louis Metro Area Real Estate Market Update – April 2024

By Dennis Norman, on May 14th, 2024

As of April 2024, the St. Louis metro area real estate market continues to show steady growth. According to data from MORE, REALTORS®, the median sold price for homes in the St. Louis area was $260,000, representing a 2.36% increase from April 2023 when the median sold price was $254,000. This also marks a 4.00% increase from the previous month, March 2024, when the median sold price was $250,000.

The median list price for homes in St. Louis was $250,000, a slight 0.04% increase from April 2023. This indicates that sellers are still able to command a strong price for Continue Reading →

St. Louis Real Estate Set for a Comeback: Insights from NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun

By Dennis Norman, on May 8th, 2024

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of REALTORS

In his forecast yesterday at the 2024 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings, National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun delivered a promising outlook for the real estate market with expectations for rising existing-home sales. According to Yun, the U.S. is likely to see existing-home sales increase to 4.46 million in 2024, a 9% rise from 2023, and surge to 5.05 million in 2025. Yun highlighted, “More jobs mean more home sales and higher housing demand. You need a strong local economy for a strong housing market.”

Additionally, Continue Reading →

St. Louis Metro Area 12-Month Home Sales Trend Hits Highest Level in Eight Months

By Dennis Norman, on May 7th, 2024

The 12-month home sales trend chart below from MORE, REALTORS® shows a slight upward tick in St. Louis home sales. In April, 32,210 homes were sold during the 12-month period ending in April, marking the highest home sales trend in St. Louis since August 2023. Granted, this is spring—a typically strong selling season for real estate. However, the 12-month sales ending in April 2024 are below the figures from a year ago, which stood at 34,490. Nonetheless, this uptick is a positive sign. It’s also noteworthy that this April marks the first time in three years that the trend has Continue Reading →

St. Louis Metro Real Estate 2024: Key Trends and Market Analysis

By Dennis Norman, on May 7th, 2024

The St. Louis Metropolitan real estate market has experienced notable shifts in its latest 12-month cycle ending April 2024, as compared to the previous year. Firstly, the total number of homes sold in the St. Louis Metro area has seen a decline. Over the past 12 months, ending April 2024, St Louis home sales totaled 32,220 homes, a decrease of 6.58% from the previous year’s 34,490 homes. This reduction in sales volume may reflect a variety of market factors including economic shifts or changes in buyer sentiment.

Conversely, the median sold price for homes has edged upwards, indicating a resilient Continue Reading →

Mortgage Rates Ease to lowest level in over three weeks

By Dennis Norman, on May 3rd, 2024

Interest rates for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage declined to 7.28% today, down from their five-month high of 7.52%, reached just over a week ago. Today’s rate marks the lowest since April 9, when the interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 7.06%.

Although the accompanying chart traces the trajectory of interest rates over the past 40 years, extending back to 1980, it does not predict their future movements. The direction of mortgage rates is influenced by a myriad of factors including, but not limited to, Federal Reserve policies, inflation expectations, and global economic conditions. Currently, experts Continue Reading →

Three Counties In The St Louis Area Experience Double Digit Growth in Building Permits

By Dennis Norman, on May 2nd, 2024

During the 12-month period ending March 31, 2024, a total of 4,070 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area, marking a 3.83% increase from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,920 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. The City of St. Louis saw the largest decrease, with a 13.31% drop. Conversely, the three counties that experienced an increase in building permits all reported double-digit growth

Continue Reading →

On-Time Rent Payments By Tenants Declines In April

By Dennis Norman, on May 1st, 2024

According to the latest Independent Landlord Rental Performance Report by Chandan Economics, April 2024 witnessed a decline in on-time rental payments in independently operated rental units nationwide, dropping to 85.2%. As illustrated by the chart below, this marks a decrease from 87.0% the prior month and 87.8% a year ago. Western states, notably Utah, Alaska, and Colorado, continue to lead the nation with the highest on-time payment rates. However, it’s worth noting that here in Missouri, only 82% of tenants paid their rent on time in April, resulting in Missouri ranking 43rd in the country for on-time rent payments.

Continue Reading →

Lease Options: An Innovative Path to Home Ownership

By Dennis Norman, on April 27th, 2024

In today’s real estate market, characterized by low inventory and somewhat high interest rates, the idea of buying a home can be daunting for some, especially those who are undecided about their long-term plans. Lease options present a compelling solution, offering flexibility and a strategic stepping stone toward owning a home. This approach is ideal for individuals who are still considering their options in terms of location, saving for a substantial down payment, or waiting for potentially lower interest rates.

A lease option allows tenants to live in a property with the option to purchase it at the end of Continue Reading →

HomeServices of America Settles Commission Lawsuits, Bringing Total to Over $943 Million

By Dennis Norman, on April 26th, 2024

Home sellers have reached a momentous $250 million settlement with HomeServices of America and its subsidiaries, including Long & Foster Companies, BHH Affiliates, LLC, and HSF Affiliates, LLC. This settlement, disclosed in a recent press release by the law firm representing the plaintiffs, resolves class action claims as part of a broader dispute over commission costs in the real estate industry.

In a landmark case held on October 31, 2023, a Missouri jury found HomeServices of America, along with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Keller Williams, culpable of conspiring to inflate commission fees, resulting in nearly $1.8 billion Continue Reading →

Mortgage Interest Rates Slightly Ease Today, Falling from a Five-Month High

By Dennis Norman, on April 26th, 2024

Interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate conventional mortgage hit 7.52% yesterday, the highest rate in five months, since November 13, 2023 when they were 7.58%. Today, however, they eased and the 30 year fixed rate mortgage interest rate dropped slightly to 7.45% and the interest rate for a 30-year FHA loan slipped below 7% to 6.95%.

The chart below shows interest rates for over 40 years, back to 1980 and shows about as much change as we’ve seen in fashion and technology during the period — from an astronomical high of 18.29% in October 1981 to an unbelievable low Continue Reading →

St. Louis YTD Home Sales Rise Over 2023 But Lag Behind Earlier Years

By Dennis Norman, on April 25th, 2024

The St. Louis 5-County Core market, encompassing St. Louis City County, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County, and Jefferson County, reported a total of 4,518 home sales Year-to-Date through March 2024. This reflects a 4% increase in St. Louis home sales for the same period last year, which had 4,340 home sales. However, as the chart below—available exclusively from MORE, REALTORS®—shows, this represents varied performance compared to earlier years. In March 2022, there were 5,218 sales, a notable peak compared to 5,803 in 2021 and 5,216 in 2020.

This data highlights the fluctuations in the real estate market Continue Reading →

March 2024 Mortgage Update: Serious Delinquencies Drop to Lowest Since Mid-2006

By Dennis Norman, on April 24th, 2024

According to the latest report from Intercontinental Exchange, the U.S. mortgage market showed promising signs of stability in March 2024. The national delinquency rate decreased to 3.20%, marking a modest drop from February but remaining slightly higher than the record low observed in March 2023. Notably, serious delinquencies, which track loans 90+ days past due but not in active foreclosure, decreased significantly. These serious delinquencies fell by 24,000 cases—a 5.2% reduction from February, reaching their lowest level since mid-2006. This improvement is particularly significant as it occurred during a month that historically sees fluctuations due to its conclusion on a Continue Reading →

Beware of Unjust Fees: Insights from the Latest CFPB Mortgage Report

By Dennis Norman, on April 24th, 2024

Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB)

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Spring 2024 report on mortgage servicing reveals critical issues that prospective and current homeowners should be aware of. The report highlights a troubling trend of unauthorized charges and deceptive practices in mortgage servicing, which could impact a homeowner’s financial stability and property rights. For instance, some services were found to be charging illegal property inspection fees, particularly on Fannie Mae loans, despite guidelines clearly prohibiting such fees when certain conditions are met. These unjust fees, ranging from $10 to $50, were imposed even when borrowers were actively engaging with their servicers, highlighting a significant Continue Reading →

Court Grants Preliminary Approval in Major Real Estate Settlement Involving National Association of Realtors

By Dennis Norman, on April 23rd, 2024

Legal Counsel Behind Billion-Dollar Verdict Vows to Enforce NAR Settlement Strictly

In a significant development in the class-action lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several major real estate entities, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri has granted preliminary approval for a proposed settlement. This lawsuit, led by plaintiffs Rhonda Burnett, Jerod Breit, Jeremy Keel, Hollee Ellis, and Frances Harvey, represents a class of U.S. homeowners who paid commissions to brokers upon the sale of their homes through multiple listing services during specific periods spanning from 2014 to the present. The court’s decision, as detailed in the document “Sitzer v NAR – Motion for Preliminary Continue Reading →

Missouri Homeowners Insurance Holds Steady Amid National Crisis Concerns

By Dennis Norman, on April 18th, 2024

The St. Louis Business Journal today published an article with the headline “A hidden cost of homeownership is mounting — and approaching crisis levels”. The article began with “homeowners across the country are facing an insurance crisis — and it’s driving up housing costs”, and then quoted a study indicating that 72% of U.S. homeowners said the cost of their homeowners insurance had increased over the past year. Well, sometimes it’s better to not have ocean views, mountains, and the like, and to be situated in the middle of the country like we are here in St. Louis—and this would Continue Reading →

St. Louis Area Home Sales Stabilize to 2015 Levels

By Dennis Norman, on April 17th, 2024

The St. Louis metro area’s real estate market has demonstrated significant fluctuations in home sales over the past fifteen years, revealing interesting trends for both homebuyers and sellers. Analysis of the 12-month home sales data chart, exclusively available from MORE, REALTORS®, illustrates a series of peaks and troughs that correspond closely with various economic factors impacting the region. St Louis home sales fell to the lowest point during the 15-year period in June 2011 when the 12-month period had 23,194 sales. Since hitting that low home sales have steadily increased until the 12-month trend hit 43,689 sales for the period Continue Reading →