By Dennis Norman, on October 14th, 2025 
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 →
By Dennis Norman, on October 12th, 2025 
In the bustling St. Louis metropolitan area, finding a home in a top-performing school district can be a competitive endeavor. Currently leading the charge is the Wood River-Hartford DIST 15 in Illinois, where homes are being snapped up in an average of just 18 days. With seven active listings, the average list price stands at an attractive $117,814, making it a hotspot for families looking to settle quickly in a vibrant community.
Not far behind, the Bayless district in Unincorporated, Missouri, boasts 15 listings with homes averaging 25 days on the market. Meanwhile, BUNKER HILL DIST 8 in Illinois Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 12th, 2025 
St. Louis homebuyers received a bit of good news this October 2025, as mortgage rates have seen a slight decline. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has fallen to 6.32%, marking a decrease of 0.06% from previous levels. Similarly, the 15-year fixed rate has dropped to 5.84%, down by 0.04%. This trend of falling rates extends across various mortgage products, including the 30-year FHA rate at 6.03% and the 30-year Jumbo rate at 6.25%. Adjustable rates, such as the 7/6 SOFR ARM, also saw a decrease, now sitting at 5.82%.
For potential homebuyers in the St. Louis area, these changes could Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 9th, 2025
As of October 9, 2025, the St. Louis real estate market is witnessing a favorable shift for potential homebuyers, with mortgage rates trending downward across the board. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has dipped slightly to 6.36%, reflecting a modest decrease of 0.02% from the previous week. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed rate has seen a more noticeable drop of 0.03%, bringing it down to 5.87%. This decline in rates is mirrored in other loan types, including the 30-year FHA and Jumbo loans, as well as the 7/6 SOFR adjustable-rate mortgages.
For buyers and sellers in the St. Louis area, these Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 9th, 2025 
The Metro East real estate market has shown significant growth as of October 2025, with home prices and sales volume both on the rise. In September 2025, homes sold for a median price of $215,000, marking a 7.47% increase from September 2024, when the median price was $200,050. This upward trend continued from August 2025, with a 4.88% increase from the previous month’s median price of $205,000.
The median list price in September 2025 was $219,000, up 8.42% from $202,000 in September 2024. Additionally, the region saw 677 home sales, an 11.35% rise from 608 sales in September 2024. These Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 8th, 2025 
The St. Charles County real estate market has shown a slight upward trend in home prices as of September 2025. Homes sold for a median price of $355,000, marking a 1.43% increase from the median price of $350,000 in September 2024. However, this also represents a 1.39% decrease compared to August 2025, when the median sold price was $360,000. The median list price for homes was $353,769, reflecting a 2.54% rise from $345,000 in September 2024.
In terms of sales volume, there were 453 home sales in September 2025, which is a 3.00% decline from the 467 homes sold in Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 8th, 2025 
Solar panels are becoming an increasingly common feature in homes, but according to the 2025 REALTORS® Residential Sustainability Report, they may not always be a clear selling point. Nearly half of REALTORS® said they believe having solar panels makes it more difficult to sell a home. For buyers and sellers in the St. Louis Metro area, where energy costs and resale value are major considerations, this is an important insight to be aware of.
Adding to the uncertainty is how solar impacts the transaction itself. The top two challenges REALTORS® reported in dealing with sustainable properties were understanding how solar Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 7th, 2025 
The St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) real estate market continues to show robust activity as of October 2025. Homes sold for a median price of $283,000 in September 2025, marking a 4.81% increase from the median price of $270,000 in September 2024. However, this represents a slight decrease of 0.70% compared to August 2025, when the median sold price was $285,000. The median list price in September 2025 was $285,000, a significant increase of 7.55% from $265,000 in the same month last year.
Sales activity has also picked up, with 3,041 homes sold in September 2025, an increase of Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 2nd, 2025
As of October 2, 2025, the St. Louis real estate market is experiencing a varied trend in mortgage rates, providing both opportunities and challenges for homebuyers and sellers. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate remains unchanged at 6.37%, maintaining a moderate level above the 6% threshold. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed rate has seen a slight decrease, now at 5.88%, down by 0.01%. This shift suggests a potential opportunity for those considering shorter-term financing options.
The market’s mixed movement is also reflected in other mortgage categories. The 30-year jumbo rate has decreased to 6.27%, offering relief for buyers looking at higher-priced properties. Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on October 2nd, 2025 
On October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government officially shut down after lawmakers failed to reach a deal to fund operations. The shutdown affects a wide range of federal agencies and services, many of which are relevant to the residential real estate market. One immediate impact is the lapse in authority for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which prevents new or renewed flood insurance policies from being issued. This directly affects home closings in flood zones, including parts of the St. Louis region where flood insurance is mandatory for federally backed loans.
While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac continue Continue Reading →
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 →
By Dennis Norman, on September 25th, 2025
As of September 25, 2025, the St. Louis real estate market is experiencing a mixed trend in mortgage rates. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate remains unchanged at 6.37%, maintaining its position above 6% and indicating ongoing stability despite the overall rising trend in the market. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed mortgage rate saw a slight decrease, dropping by 0.01% to 5.89%. This minor reduction in the 15-year rate could offer some relief to potential homebuyers looking for shorter-term financing options.
For St. Louis homebuyers and sellers, these rate movements bring both challenges and opportunities. The unchanged 30-year fixed rate suggests a Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 21st, 2025 
The St. Louis City real estate market in August 2025 saw notable changes compared to the previous year. Homes sold for a median price of $235,000, marking a 7.55% increase from August 2024’s median of $218,500. However, this figure reflects a 5.05% decrease from July 2025, when the median sold price was $247,500. The median list price in August 2025 also rose to $235,000, up 6.82% from $220,000 in August 2024.
Despite these price increases, the number of home sales in St. Louis City decreased. In August 2025, there were 285 sales, a 6.25% drop from the 304 sales recorded Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 20th, 2025 
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 →
By Lisa Garza, on September 19th, 2025 
Color isn’t just “pretty.” Thoughtfully used, it can lift mood, energize a room, calm a busy mind, and even make homes easier to navigate. Decades of research show that color influences how we feel, think, and behave. The secret is intentional, balanced use—often a confident accent paired with clear contrast.
Why color changes how we feel
Two simple qualities, brightness and saturation predict much of our emotional response to color. Brighter, more saturated hues tend to feel more positive and energizing, while dimmer, grayer versions dampen that response. This pattern has been replicated repeatedly across laboratory and real‑world settings (see Continue Reading →
By Karen Moeller, on September 19th, 2025 
If you’ve ever sat through a weekend “get rich with real estate” seminar, you’ve probably heard this pitch: St. Louis is the affordable Midwest market with strong cash flow, stable renters, and easy entry points.
And for many investors, that sounds like the perfect recipe for a better retirement, a nest egg for the family, or a shot at financial freedom.
But here’s the truth: without the right guidance, St. Louis can turn from opportunity into nightmare—fast.
This is the real story of one out-of-state investor who trusted the hype, bought “off market” without local representation, and walked straight into Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 19th, 2025 
The Franklin County real estate market experienced notable growth in August 2025, with homes selling for a median price of $293,000. This marks a 14.90% increase from August 2024, when the median sold price was $255,000, and an 11.62% rise from July 2025, which saw a median sold price of $262,500. The median list price also climbed to $289,900, up 14.81% from $252,500 in August 2024. Additionally, the number of home sales increased by 3.33%, with 124 homes sold compared to 120 in the same month last year. For a visual representation of these trends, please refer to the chart Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 19th, 2025 
In August 2025, the St. Louis County real estate market experienced notable changes, with homes selling for a median price of $290,000. This represents a 5.07% increase from the median sold price of $276,000 in August 2024. However, it marks a 2.36% decrease from July 2025, when the median sold price was $297,000. The median list price also saw growth, reaching $289,900, up 5.42% from $275,000 in August 2024.
The number of home sales in the region was slightly down, with 1,297 transactions in August 2025, a 0.46% decline from the 1,303 sales recorded in August 2024. For a Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 18th, 2025
In September 2025, St. Louis homebuyers continue to face a challenging market as mortgage rates remain elevated. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stands at 6.22%, reflecting a 0.09% increase since last reported. The 15-year fixed mortgage also edged up to 5.75%. While some may have expected relief after the Federal Reserve’s latest move, that hasn’t materialized—at least not yet.
Yesterday, the Federal Reserve announced its first rate cut of the year, lowering the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a target range of 4.00% to 4.25%. This marked a shift in policy as the Fed responded to slowing Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 16th, 2025 
The St. Louis metropolitan area is experiencing a dynamic real estate market, with certain zip codes in both Missouri and Illinois standing out for their rapid sales. Leading the pack is zip code 62014 in Macoupin County, Illinois, where homes are selling at an unprecedented pace. With an average of 0 days on the market, the 7 active listings in this area have an average list price of $231,157. This swift turnover highlights a robust demand for properties, making it an attractive prospect for both buyers and sellers looking to capitalize on the current market conditions.
Close behind, zip code Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 15th, 2025 
The Jefferson County real estate market continues to show dynamic shifts as we move into September 2025. In August 2025, homes sold for a median price of $300,000, marking a 7.53% increase from August 2024, when the median sold price was $279,000. However, this figure represents a slight decrease of 1.64% from July 2025’s median sold price of $305,000.
The median list price in August 2025 was $295,000, an 8.88% rise from $270,950 in August 2024. Despite the increase in listing prices, the number of home sales experienced a downturn. There were 253 home sales in Jefferson County in Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 12th, 2025
If you’re considering buying or selling a home in the St. Louis metropolitan area, keeping an eye on the fastest selling school districts can give you a competitive edge. Leading the pack is ASHLEY DIST 15 in Illinois, where homes have been flying off the market at an unprecedented pace. With an average of zero days on the market and an average list price of $194,450, this district is attracting considerable attention from families looking for quick transactions and competitive pricing.
Following closely is the Bayless district in Unincorporated, Missouri, which also boasts an average of zero days on the Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 11th, 2025
As of September 11, 2025, mortgage rates in the St. Louis area continue their upward trajectory, maintaining levels that have become the norm in recent months. The 30-Year Fixed Rate remains unchanged at a moderate 6.29%, while the 15-Year Fixed Rate has seen a slight increase, now standing at 5.70%. This minor uptick marks a continued trend toward higher borrowing costs, reflecting broader economic conditions impacting mortgage rates nationwide.
For prospective homebuyers and sellers in the St. Louis market, these rate changes signify a period of careful consideration. Buyers may find the cost of financing a home slightly more challenging, Continue Reading →
By Sandie Hea, on September 10th, 2025 
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 →
By Dennis Norman, on September 9th, 2025 
The August 2025 housing data from Realtor.com® shows the national housing market gradually shifting toward balance, but here in St. Louis, we continue to stand out as one of the tightest markets in the country. While inventory is rising across much of the U.S., St. Louis saw just a 13.6% increase in active listings year-over-year—well below the national 20.9% gain. Even more telling, our market had only 2.9 months of supply in June, a strong indicator that sellers still have the upper hand locally, despite the broader cooling trend.
Across the 50 largest metros, St. Louis ranks among those with Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 9th, 2025
The Metro East real estate market continues to show robust activity, as evidenced by the latest data from August 2025. Homes in the area sold for a median price of $210,000, marking a 5.00% increase from the median sold price of $200,000 in August 2024. However, this figure represents an 8.70% decline from July 2025, when the median sold price was $230,000. The median list price also saw an uptick, reaching $209,900, which is a 5.11% rise from $199,700 in August 2024.
Home sales volume has also increased, with 675 homes sold in August 2025, up 3.53% from 652 sales Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 8th, 2025
The St. Charles County real estate market experienced notable shifts in August 2025. Homes sold for a median price of $357,195, marking a 1.55% increase from the median price of $351,750 in August 2024. However, this figure represents a 2.80% decrease compared to July 2025, when the median sold price was $367,500. The median list price remained stable at $350,000, unchanged from August 2024.
In terms of sales volume, there were 475 home sales in August 2025, reflecting an 8.30% decline from the 518 homes sold in August 2024. For a visual representation of these trends, refer to the chart Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 8th, 2025
The real estate market in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) experienced notable changes in August 2025. Homes sold for a median price of $285,000, marking a 5.24% increase from the median price of $270,800 in August 2024. However, this represents a slight decrease of 2.56% from July 2025, when the median price was $292,500. The median list price saw a similar trend, rising to $284,900 in August 2025, up 5.52% from $270,000 in August 2024.
In terms of sales volume, there were 3,306 home sales in the St. Louis MSA during August 2025, a slight decrease of 1.52% Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on September 8th, 2025
As of early September 2025, St. Louis homebuyers are witnessing a favorable shift in mortgage rates, with notable decreases across several categories. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage has dipped to 6.49%, down by 0.04%, marking a significant drop below the 6.5% threshold that had been maintained in recent months. Similarly, the 15-year fixed rate now stands at 5.85%, showing a slight decrease of 0.03%. These reductions reflect a broader trend of falling rates in the market, offering potential buyers and refinancers in the St. Louis area a more attractive environment for securing home loans.
For those considering larger homes, the Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 28th, 2025
In August 2025, the St. Louis real estate market is witnessing a slight yet noteworthy decline in mortgage rates, providing a glimmer of hope for potential homebuyers. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased marginally by 0.01%, settling at 6.51%. Similarly, the 15-year fixed rate has dropped by 0.02% to 5.88%. These small reductions, although modest, are a positive signal for those looking to enter the housing market in a period where rates have consistently hovered above 6.5%.
For local buyers and sellers in St. Louis, these rate adjustments could have significant implications. Buyers may find this dip an encouraging Continue Reading →
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