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 →
By Dennis Norman, on August 25th, 2025
In August 2025, St. Louis homebuyers and sellers are witnessing a continued rise in mortgage rates, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reaching 6.54%, marking a 0.02% increase. This upward trend is mirrored across other mortgage products, including the 15-year fixed rate which rose to 5.93%, and the 30-year jumbo rate now standing at 6.55%. These rate increases are indicative of a tightening mortgage market in St. Louis, further evidenced by the 30-year FHA rate at 6.12% and the adjustable 7/6 SOFR ARM at 5.99%.
For prospective buyers in St. Louis, these rising rates may impact affordability and purchasing power, potentially Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 21st, 2025
In August 2025, St. Louis mortgage rates have continued their upward trajectory, with the 30-year fixed rate nudging up to 6.61%, a small increase of 0.01% from previous levels. This shift follows a pattern of rising rates, impacting the affordability of home loans within the region. The 15-year fixed rate also saw a modest increase, reaching 5.97%. However, not all rates followed the same path; the 30-year Jumbo rate decreased slightly, signaling mixed movements in the mortgage landscape.
For prospective homebuyers in St. Louis, these rising rates could mean higher monthly payments, potentially affecting purchasing power in an already competitive Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 21st, 2025 
The St. Louis City real estate market has experienced notable shifts as of August 2025. Homes in the area sold for a median price of $247,250 in July 2025, marking a 9.89% increase from July 2024 when the median price was $225,000. However, this figure also represents a 4.52% decrease compared to June 2025, when the median sold price was $258,965. The median list price in July 2025 was $248,950, up 13.16% from $220,000 in July 2024, indicating a robust increase in seller expectations.
Despite the rise in prices, the number of home sales has decreased. In July 2025, there Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 19th, 2025
In July 2025, the St. Louis County real estate market saw a notable increase in home prices, with homes selling for a median price of $299,250. This represents a 6.78% increase from the median price of $280,250 recorded in July 2024. However, the median sold price in July 2025 shows a slight decrease of 0.75% from June 2025, when it was $301,500. The median list price in July 2025 was $289,900, marking a 5.42% rise compared to $275,000 in July of the previous year.
The number of home sales in St. Louis County experienced a minor decline, with 1,310 homes Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 19th, 2025
In the latest update for the Franklin County real estate market, July 2025 saw homes selling for a median price of $260,000. This marks a 5.80% decrease from the median price of $276,000 recorded in July 2024. Additionally, the July 2025 median price represents a slight decline of 0.57% compared to June 2025’s median of $261,500. The median list price for homes in July 2025 was $269,000, down 3.76% from $279,500 in July 2024.
Despite the decrease in prices, home sales in Franklin County have seen a notable increase. In July 2025, there were 119 home sales, a significant rise Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 18th, 2025
As of August 18, 2025, mortgage rates in the St. Louis area have seen a notable rise, with the 30-year fixed rate now at 6.58%, up by 0.02%. This marks a continued trend of increasing mortgage costs, pushing rates to levels above 6.5%, a significant milestone for potential homebuyers and refinancers. The 15-year fixed rate also experienced a slight uptick, now standing at 5.95%, reflecting a broad upward trajectory across various loan products including the 30-year FHA and Jumbo options.
For those navigating the St. Louis real estate market, these climbing rates could impact purchasing power and monthly affordability. Buyers Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 16th, 2025
The St. Louis metropolitan area is experiencing a vibrant real estate market, with certain zip codes leading the charge in rapid home sales. Topping the list is zip code 63012 in Jefferson County, Missouri, where homes are flying off the market with an average listing duration of zero days. This area currently boasts nine active listings, with an average list price of $376,089, making it an attractive option for families seeking swift transactions and competitive pricing.
Following closely are zip codes 63074 and 63126, both located in St. Louis, Missouri. Each of these areas also sees homes selling within zero Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 16th, 2025
The Jefferson County real estate market continues to show strong growth as of August 2025, with significant increases in both home prices and sales activity. In July 2025, homes in Jefferson County sold for a median price of $305,000, marking a 9.71% increase from July 2024, when the median sold price was $278,000. This upward trend is further highlighted by a 7.02% rise from June 2025’s median sold price of $285,000, indicating a robust demand for homes in the area.
The median list price also saw a notable increase, reaching $299,950 in July 2025, up 11.13% from $269,900 in July Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 14th, 2025
As of mid-August 2025, mortgage rates in the St. Louis real estate market continue their upward trajectory, with the 30-year fixed rate now at 6.56%, marking a 0.03% increase. This rise places the rate well above the 6.5% threshold, a level not seen in recent months, signaling a challenging environment for prospective homebuyers. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed rate has also seen an increase, settling at 5.94%, up by 0.04%. These adjustments reflect a broader trend of rising interest rates, affecting various loan types, including FHA, Jumbo, and VA mortgages, all of which have seen increases.
For buyers in the St. Continue Reading →
By Michael Abernathy, on August 13th, 2025 
Buying a condo may seem straightforward, but the reality is that it comes with layers of complexity that most buyers—and frankly, many agents—don’t fully understand. Recently, I represented an investor client who was purchasing an off-market condo through a wholesaler. On the surface, it looked like a quick, easy, all-cash deal. But within days, it became clear that without an experienced condo buyer’s agent, this transaction could have ended in a $160,000 disaster.
From the beginning, I raised the question of the condo resale certificate—a critical document that Missouri law requires sellers to provide. This certificate includes essential information about Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 8th, 2025
The St. Charles County real estate market demonstrated a robust performance in July 2025, with the median home selling price reaching $367,500, marking a 2.08% increase from the previous year. This figure slightly dipped by 0.68% from June 2025’s median selling price of $370,000. Despite the month-to-month fluctuation, the overall trend indicates healthy growth, as reflected in the median listing price of $365,000, up by 2.82% compared to July 2024.
The volume of home sales also showed positive momentum, with 577 homes sold in July 2025, an increase of 6.65% from 541 sales in the same month last year. This Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 7th, 2025
In St. Louis, the real estate market is experiencing nuanced shifts in mortgage rates as of August 2025, with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate slightly decreasing by 0.01%, settling at 6.57%. This minor adjustment reflects a mixed pattern in rate movements across different mortgage products, highlighting a complex landscape for potential homebuyers and sellers. The 15-year fixed rate remains steady at 5.93%, showing no change, while the 30-year FHA rate saw a decrease, which could be advantageous for first-time home buyers opting for government-backed loans.
The impact of these mixed rate movements on the St. Louis real estate market is Continue Reading →
By Dennis Norman, on August 7th, 2025
The St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) real estate market demonstrated sustained growth in July 2025, with notable increases in both home sales and prices. Homes sold for a median price of $295,000, marking a 5.36% rise from the previous year’s median of $280,000, and a 1.72% increase from June 2025’s median of $290,000. This consistent upward trend underscores a robust housing market in the region.
In terms of sales volume, the market remained stable with 3,484 homes sold in July 2025, slightly up by 0.09% compared to 3,481 sales in July 2024. The median list price also saw a Continue Reading →
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