According to a recent report on St. Louis housing trends, there are more homes on the market today than at this time last year, and the median list price has fallen 4.7% year over year. As buyers gain more negotiating power, sellers are finding ways to make their homes more financially appealing to buyers.
Compared to many other big cities, St. Louis is a relatively affordable place to live. And in today’s tough economy, that makes it a rather attractive place to live too. That’s great for sellers, but for buyers, it means more competition and less inventory.
The home appraisal process is one of the most important steps between accepting an offer and reaching the closing table, but most buyers and sellers don’t even think about it…until there is a problem. When an appraisal comes in lower than the agreed-upon price, it can affect the buyer’s financing and closing timeline. In fact, a 2025 report by the National Association of Realtors shows that 5% of contracts were delayed due to appraisal issues.
Whether you didn’t find your dream home this summer or you’re just now considering a move to St. Louis, you may be wondering, “Should I buy a house now or wait?” Fall typically means there are fewer homes to choose from, but it also has the advantage of less competition from other buyers. So is it better to wait until spring when the market heats up again, or keep searching now and hope you find the right fit?
Real estate listings include a lot of valuable information, like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the home’s age, and the school district. Some listings are straightforward and honest. They tell the sales history, include updates, and even tell buyers if the house needs a little TLC.
Emotional attachments to our homes can be pretty strong. Maybe it served you and your family well, you put a lot of work into fixing it up, or there’s just something about it that stands out to you—something that justifies a high price.
Real estate listings almost always include school district information, so it's easy to take a glance at it, take someone’s word that the schools are “good”, and then focus on details about the home itself. After all, buying a house is a hectic time, and you may not want to spend hours researching schools.
It’s hard to say goodbye to a great backyard. You’ve made memories watching the kids climb trees, cooking out, or swimming with neighbors if you have a home with a pool. Now that you’re ready to find a buyer, it’s natural to think that others will be willing to spend an arm and a leg for the same outdoor space you’ve enjoyed.
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