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

Buying a Short-Term Rental? Fannie Mae Just Changed How the Income Can Count

By Karen Moeller, on September 25th, 2026

A buyer considering a house as a short-term rental may start with two numbers: What can I charge per night, and how often can I rent it? Fannie Mae now has a much more specific calculation in mind.

On September 2, Fannie Mae introduced new guidelines for using short-term rental income when qualifying for a mortgage on a one-unit investment property. The change gives lenders a specific way to evaluate income from properties rented for short stays rather than through a traditional long-term lease. Fannie Mae’s September income-assessment changes

One of the more interesting parts is what isn’t Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Soar Above 7% in September 2026 – 30-Year Fixed Hits 7.26%

By Dennis Norman, on September 24th, 2026

Mortgage rates in St. Louis have continued their upward trajectory, creating a challenging environment for both buyers and sellers in the area. As of September 24, 2026, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has climbed to 7.26%, marking a significant increase of 0.09% from earlier this month. Similarly, the 15-year fixed rate has risen to 6.87%, up by 0.04%. This consistent rise in rates is reflective of broader economic pressures and has resulted in elevated borrowing costs for potential homeowners.

For those looking to purchase or refinance in the St. Louis market, the impact of these rising rates is substantial. Higher Continue Reading →

Consumer Groups Ask State Attorneys General to Investigate Zillow, Compass and the Real Estate Referral Fee Model

By Dennis Norman, on September 23rd, 2026

A coalition of 19 consumer advocacy groups, including the Consumer Federation of America, American Economic Liberties Project and Open Markets Institute, has sent a letter to the National Association of Attorneys General asking state attorneys general to investigate a broad range of practices involving Zillow, Compass and other major players in the real estate industry. The September 16 letter goes well beyond the ongoing battle between Zillow and Compass over private listings. It raises questions about referral fees, the way online portals route consumers to agents, mortgage relationships, private listing networks, dual representation and the increasing concentration of power among Continue Reading →

St. Louis Home Tour Video Map Sees Over 8,600 Tours Catalogued

By Dennis Norman, on September 23rd, 2026

The St. Louis metro home tour video map now boasts an impressive 8,643 video tours, covering 311 distinct markets. This extensive catalogue provides home buyers with a unique perspective on properties, offering insights that photographs alone cannot. Video walkthroughs allow potential buyers to see the flow of rooms, assess the steepness of staircases, and gauge the actual size of spaces, which are crucial elements in making informed decisions.

In the past month, 217 new tours have been added to the map, with 28 of those added in just the last week. Notably, St. Louis, MO, leads the way with 67 Continue Reading →

September 2026 Franklin County Real Estate Market Update: Trends and Insights

By Dennis Norman, on September 20th, 2026

The Franklin County real estate market experienced notable shifts in August 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $272,500, marking a 7.00% decrease from the previous year’s median of $293,000 in August 2025. This figure also represents a 1.45% decline from July 2026, where the median sold price was $276,500. Despite the decrease in sold prices, the median list price in August 2026 rose to $317,400, a significant 17.12% increase from $271,000 in August 2025.

In terms of sales volume, there were 110 home sales in August 2026, reflecting an 11.29% drop compared to 124 sales in August Continue Reading →

September 2026 St Louis County Real Estate Market Update: Rising Home Prices Amid Fewer Sales

By Dennis Norman, on September 19th, 2026

The St Louis County real estate market saw notable shifts in August 2026, with homes selling for a median price of $325,000. This represents a significant increase of 12.11% from the median sold price of $289,900 in August 2025. Additionally, the median sold price in August 2026 rose by 1.56% from July 2026, where it stood at $320,000.

Interestingly, while the selling prices have risen, the median list price for homes in August 2026 was $240,000, marking a 17.24% decrease from the $290,000 median list price recorded in August 2025. This divergence between sold and list prices highlights a Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Surge Above 7% in September 2026: What It Means for Buyers

By Dennis Norman, on September 17th, 2026

In September 2026, St. Louis homebuyers are witnessing a notable rise in mortgage rates, with the 30-year fixed rate climbing to 7.24%, reflecting an increase of 0.02%. Similarly, the 15-year fixed rate has inched up to 6.84%. These elevated levels, now surpassing 7%, signal a challenging environment for potential homebuyers seeking financing options. The upward trend is consistent across various mortgage products, including the 30-year Jumbo Rate, which stands at 7.40%, and the Adjustable Rate (7/6 SOFR ARM) at 6.69%.

For the St. Louis real estate market, these rising rates could mean a slowdown in buyer activity, potentially impacting home Continue Reading →

St. Louis Metro Home Sales Surge in 2026: A Promising Market for Buyers and Sellers

By Dennis Norman, on September 17th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area is experiencing a notable increase in home sales, marking a positive trend for the real estate market this year. As of the end of August 2026, a total of 23,643 homes have been sold, reflecting a 4.07% rise compared to the 22,718 homes sold during the same period in 2025. This growth indicates a stable and robust market, providing opportunities for both buyers and sellers to engage confidently in real estate transactions. The increase in sales is a promising sign for families and individuals looking to invest in the St. Louis metro area, which spans Continue Reading →

Discover the Fastest Selling Zip Codes in the St. Louis Metro Area

By Dennis Norman, on September 16th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area is witnessing a dynamic real estate market, with certain zip codes standing out for their rapid property sales. Leading the pack is Washington, where homes are flying off the market with an average listing period of just 4 days. Currently, Washington boasts an active listing with an average price of $527,500, making it an attractive area for both buyers and sellers seeking swift transactions. This trend reflects a high demand, indicating that properties here are not only desirable but also competitively priced for the market.

Following closely are the zip codes in Jefferson and Madison, Continue Reading →

St. Louis Home Tour Video Map Sees Surge in New Additions

By Dennis Norman, on September 16th, 2026

The St. Louis metro area now boasts an impressive 8,643 home tour videos in its catalogue. This figure underscores the growing reliance on video walkthroughs in real estate, offering potential buyers a comprehensive view of properties that traditional photographs simply cannot provide. Video tours allow viewers to understand the flow between rooms, assess the steepness of stairs, and gauge the true scale of spaces, enhancing the home-buying process significantly.

In the past 30 days alone, 211 new video tours have been added to the St. Louis metro catalogue, with 49 of these additions occurring in just the last week. Leading Continue Reading →

What Inflation Does to 50 Years of St. Louis Home Appreciation

By Karen Moeller, on September 15th, 2026

When we talk about how much a house has appreciated, the math seems pretty straightforward. What did you pay for it, and what is it worth today?

I started thinking differently about that after reading an analysis by my broker, Dennis Norman of MORE, REALTORS®, who has been tracking and analyzing St. Louis real estate data for decades.. Dennis compared St. Louis home prices in 1975 and today, first in dollars and then in gold. His numbers produced a striking result. The home price in his analysis increased from $39,550 to $339,736, while the amount of gold required to Continue Reading →

Jefferson County Real Estate Market Update: September 2026

By Dennis Norman, on September 15th, 2026

The Jefferson County real estate market continues to show strong growth, with key metrics indicating a robust performance in August 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $315,000, marking a 5.00% increase from $300,000 in August 2025. This upward trend is also reflected in the month-over-month comparison, as the median sold price rose by 0.88% from July 2026’s $312,250.

The median list price in Jefferson County reached $324,900, a significant 10.14% increase from $295,000 in August 2025, suggesting strong demand and competitive market conditions. Additionally, home sales saw a notable rise, with 297 transactions occurring in August 2026, up Continue Reading →

What Makes an Old Kirkwood House Worth Saving?

By Karen Moeller, on September 13th, 2026

Walk around Kirkwood long enough and you will see the yard signs: “Protect Historic Kirkwood.”

I understand the sentiment. Part of what makes Kirkwood look and feel like Kirkwood is its collection of older homes. But preserving those homes gets more complicated when the way people live changes, the cost of renovation climbs, and the land underneath a smaller older house becomes increasingly valuable.

Earlier this year, that tension played out very publicly over the 1858 house on N. Taylor Avenue. After a legal fight over its demolition, the house came down in May. City records show a Continue Reading →

Discover the Fastest Selling School Districts in the St. Louis Metro Area

By Dennis Norman, on September 12th, 2026

In the vibrant St. Louis metropolitan area, the real estate market is buzzing with activity, particularly in the school districts where homes are selling at lightning speed. Leading the pack is the CHRISTOPHER DIST #99 in Franklin, where the single active listing has been snapped up in an average of just 1 day, with an attractive average list price of $85,000. This district’s swift sales pace highlights its appeal to families seeking affordable and desirable living options.

Following closely is BRUSSELS DIST 42 in Calhoun-IL, where the average time on the market is only 7 days across three listings. Meanwhile, Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Climb to 6.97% in September 2026 – Impact on Homebuyers as 15-Year Fixed Reaches 6.54%

By Dennis Norman, on September 10th, 2026

As of September 10, 2026, St. Louis mortgage rates are on the rise, reflecting broader upward trends in the national market. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has increased by 0.08% to 6.97%, marking a significant rise above the 6.5% threshold. Concurrently, the 15-year fixed rate has seen a smaller, yet impactful, increase of 0.05%, bringing it to 6.54%. These changes underscore the current environment where rising rates are becoming the norm, affecting both potential homebuyers and current homeowners considering refinancing.

For St. Louis area buyers, these rising rates could lead to higher monthly payments, potentially reducing affordability and influencing purchasing Continue Reading →

St. Louis Home Tour Video Map Surpasses 8,600 Listings, Offering In-Depth Views of Local Properties

By Dennis Norman, on September 9th, 2026

The St. Louis metro area’s home tour video catalogue has reached an impressive 8,643 tours as of September 9, 2026, providing potential homebuyers with a comprehensive look at properties across 311 markets. Video walkthroughs have become an invaluable tool for buyers, offering a more detailed perspective than traditional photographs. They allow viewers to see how rooms connect, assess the steepness of stairs, and gauge the true size of spaces, all of which are crucial elements when considering a home purchase.

In the past 30 days alone, 198 new tours have been added to the map, with 46 of those being Continue Reading →

September 2026 Metro East Real Estate Market Update: Rising Trends and Key Insights

By Dennis Norman, on September 9th, 2026

The Metro East real estate market continues to show dynamic changes as of September 2026. In August, homes sold for a median price of $216,000, marking a 5.37% increase from the previous year when the median was $205,000. However, this also represents an 8.09% decrease from July 2026’s median sold price of $235,000. The median list price in August 2026 was $230,000, up 6.98% from $215,000 in August 2025, indicating a robust demand in the market.

The number of home sales also saw a slight increase, with 699 homes sold in August 2026, a 2.04% rise from the 685 Continue Reading →

September 2026 St. Charles County Real Estate Market Update: Prices and Sales on the Rise

By Dennis Norman, on September 8th, 2026

The St. Charles County real estate market experienced notable changes in August 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $370,000, marking a 2.78% increase from the same period last year when the median price was $360,000. However, this figure represents a 4.78% decrease from July 2026’s median sold price of $388,560. Meanwhile, the median list price in August 2026 was $409,900, reflecting a significant 10.26% rise from $371,750 in August 2025.

The market also saw an uptick in activity, with 526 homes sold in August 2026, a 7.57% increase compared to the 489 homes sold in August 2025. For Continue Reading →

September 2026 St. Louis MSA Real Estate Market Update: Prices Rise, Sales Decline

By Dennis Norman, on September 7th, 2026

The St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) real estate market showed notable trends in August 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $305,000, marking an increase of 6.09% from August 2025 when the median price was $287,500. However, this figure represents a slight decrease of 1.61% compared to July 2026, where the median sold price was $310,000. The median list price in August 2026 was $299,900, reflecting a 3.41% rise from $290,000 in August 2025.

In terms of sales volume, there were 3,204 home sales in the St. Louis MSA in August 2026, a decrease of 2.79% from the Continue Reading →

What Exactly Are You Buying When You Buy the Lemp Mansion?

By Karen Moeller, on September 4th, 2026

Other than my own home, there aren’t many houses where I’ve spent more time than the Lemp Mansion. Long before I became a Realtor, I was an actress, and one of my regular weekend gigs was performing dinner theater there.

Years ago, some visitors posed for a photograph in front of the staircase. When they looked at the picture later, they noticed what appeared to be an elderly woman in period clothing near the top. The photo eventually appeared on social media with quite a discovery: They had photographed a ghost.

Which would have been pretty exciting, except Continue Reading →

St. Louis Home Tour Video Map Sees Surge in New Additions

By Dennis Norman, on September 4th, 2026

The most watched home tour video in the St. Louis metro area is of 1410 Fournier Dr in Crestwood, MO, with an impressive 187,422 views. This highlights the growing interest in video walkthroughs as a tool for both buyers and curious observers alike. Video tours offer a unique advantage over traditional photographs by providing a more comprehensive view of a property. They allow potential buyers to see how rooms connect, assess the steepness of staircases, and get a true sense of the space’s size. This can be particularly beneficial in understanding the layout and flow of a home, aspects that Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Climb in September 2026: 30-Year Fixed Edges Up to 6.91%

By Dennis Norman, on September 3rd, 2026

In September 2026, St. Louis homebuyers and sellers are witnessing a consistent upward trend in mortgage rates, with the 30-year fixed rate now standing at 6.91%, marking a modest increase of 0.02% from the previous rates. This rise continues the trend of rates staying well above the 6.5% threshold, impacting the affordability and decision-making processes for prospective homebuyers. The 15-year fixed rate has also seen a more significant jump, increasing by 0.11% to reach 6.50%. These changes illustrate a broader trend of rising interest rates in the current economic climate.

The increase in rates is having a notable impact on Continue Reading →

August 2026 St. Louis City Real Estate Market Update: Trends and Insights

By Dennis Norman, on August 31st, 2026

The St. Louis City real estate market experienced notable shifts in July 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $235,000, marking a 5.51% decrease from July 2025’s median of $248,700. This also represents a 9.62% drop from June 2026, when the median sold price was $260,000. Concurrently, the median list price in July 2026 was $215,000, down 9.66% from $238,000 in July 2025.

Despite the decrease in prices, the market saw an uptick in activity, with 306 home sales in July 2026, a 16.79% increase from the 262 sales recorded in July 2025. These figures indicate a dynamic market Continue Reading →

St. Louis Mortgage Rates Climb to 6.75% in August 2026 – Rising Trend Challenges Buyers

By Dennis Norman, on August 31st, 2026

In August 2026, St. Louis homebuyers face a challenging market as mortgage rates continue their upward trajectory. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has nudged up to 6.75%, marking a slight increase of 0.01% from previous levels. Similarly, the 15-year fixed rate has risen to 6.32%, also climbing by 0.01%. This consistent upward trend is reflected across other loan categories, including the 30-year FHA and Jumbo rates, which further highlights the mounting pressure on potential homeowners.

For St. Louis buyers, these rising rates mean higher borrowing costs, which could impact affordability and purchasing power. Sellers might see a slowdown in buyer Continue Reading →

St. Louis Radiation Compensation Has Become a Real Issue for Local Families

By Dennis Norman, on August 25th, 2026

For years, radioactive waste tied to the Manhattan Project has been a source of concern for many families in the St. Louis area. Now it is also a compensation issue, and for some people, a very real one. Under the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA, some residents in parts of the St. Louis region may already qualify for federal compensation if they lived, worked, or went to school in certain ZIP codes for at least two years after January 1, 1949, and later developed a covered illness.

This matters because a lot of people still do not realize Continue Reading →

Is Not Owning a Home Really a Failure?

By Karen Moeller, on August 25th, 2026

A buyer I have been working with recently decided to put their home search on hold for a year. They were qualified to buy, but because they needed to ask sellers for closing-cost concessions, their offers weren’t as competitive as they wanted them to be. Their plan was straightforward: keep renting, save more cash and return to the market in a stronger position.

Then they called me. A friend was doing what they described as “renting to own” through a lease option program, and they wondered whether that might be another path.

The concept was familiar. Years ago, Continue Reading →

‘August 2026 St. Louis Mortgage Rates: 30-Year Fixed Falls to 6.72% Amid Decline’

By Dennis Norman, on August 20th, 2026

In August 2026, St. Louis homebuyers are witnessing a slight relief as mortgage rates continue their downward trend. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased by 0.03%, bringing it to 6.72%, while the 15-year fixed rate saw a slightly larger drop of 0.04%, settling at 6.27%. These changes indicate a subtle but positive shift for potential buyers in the area, as rates remain above the 6.5% mark, yet show signs of easing.

The decline in rates offers a glimmer of hope for St. Louis buyers, who have been grappling with high borrowing costs in recent months. This latest dip may Continue Reading →

August 2026 Franklin County Real Estate Market Update: Rising Prices and Steady Sales

By Dennis Norman, on August 20th, 2026

The Franklin County real estate market continues to show signs of growth as of August 2026. Homes sold for a median price of $276,500 in July 2026, marking a 5.33% increase from the median price of $262,500 in July 2025. However, this represents a slight decrease of 2.98% compared to June 2026, when the median sold price was $285,000. The median list price saw a significant rise to $317,650, up 15.51% from $275,000 in July 2025, indicating strong seller confidence in the market.

Additionally, home sales in Franklin County remained steady, with 121 transactions in July 2026, a modest increase Continue Reading →

August 2026 St. Louis County Real Estate Market Update: Home Prices and Sales Trends

By Dennis Norman, on August 19th, 2026

The St. Louis County real estate market continues to show dynamic changes as of August 2026. In July 2026, homes sold for a median price of $320,000, marking a significant increase of 8.47% from the median sold price of $295,000 in July 2025. However, this figure also represents a slight decrease of 1.54% compared to June 2026, when the median sold price was $325,000.

Interestingly, the median list price for homes in July 2026 was $250,000, reflecting a decrease of 13.76% from $289,900 in July 2025. This shift in listing prices may indicate changing seller strategies or market conditions. Continue Reading →

St. Louis Metro Home Sales Surge in 2026: A Positive Trend for Buyers and Sellers

By Dennis Norman, on August 17th, 2026

The St. Louis metropolitan area is experiencing a notable uptick in home sales this year. As of July 31st, 2026, a total of 20,366 homes have been sold across the metro area, marking a 4.86% increase compared to the 19,422 homes sold during the same period in 2025. This growth indicates a robust housing market, offering opportunities for both buyers looking to settle in the region and sellers aiming to capitalize on the rising demand. The increase in sales underscores the region’s appeal, with its diverse neighborhoods and vibrant communities attracting families and individuals alike.

For those interested in the Continue Reading →