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Key Terms Every Homebuyer Should Learn

Key Terms Every Homebuyer Should Learn [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights Buying a home is a big deal and can feel especially complicated if you don’t know the terms used during the process. If you want to become a homeowner this year, it’s a good idea to learn these key housing terms and understand how they relate to the current housing market. That will help you feel confident when […]





The Thrill of the Deal-Finding Black Friday Bargains and Real Estate Discounts

Why We Love Black Friday Bargains Everybody loves a good deal. There’s something psychologically satisfying about finding and scoring a bargain, whether it’s getting 50% off a big-screen TV you’ve been stalking for months or perhaps a home that has finally dropped into your affordable price range in a neighborhood or school district you’re interested […]


2024 Housing Market Forecast

Summary and Key Points Here is a summary of the key points from the 2024 Housing Market Forecast Housing experts forecast home prices will continue rising in 2023 and 2024, with increases of 2.8% and 1.5% respectively. This makes buying a home a good investment. Total home sales are also projected to increase slightly in […]



Why Do We Have a Housing Shortage?

Explaining Today’s Housing Shortage The current housing market is experiencing a severe shortage of available homes for sale. Several factors have contributed to this shortage. Key Factors Behind the Shortage There are some market conditions impacting this shortage. Here are a couple of the big ones: Decline in New Construction Builders have not been constructing […]


St. Louis Ranks in the Top 10 Metro Real Estate Markets in the Zillow Home Value Index Report

Recent reporting by Zillow’s Home Value Index shows St. Louis in the top 10 Metropolitan Real Estate Markets in their August report. In the middle of almost constant negative, end-of-the-world reporting this comes as welcome news to homeowners and potential sellers and maybe even potential buyers. Zillow Home Value Index Explained Here’s how Zillow explains […]




Understanding the News About Home Prices

Don’t Fall for the Next Shocking Headlines About Home Prices If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? And it’s no surprise you don’t have the clarity you need on that topic. Part of the issue is how headlines are talking about prices. They’re […]


The Benefits of Downsizing for Homeowners

benefits of downsizing for homeowners

What are the benefits of downsizing? It can prove to be an incredibly effective strategy when it comes to reducing costs, especially as you transition into retirement or as your needs gradually evolve over time. By consciously choosing to opt for a smaller house, you open yourself up to a multitude of benefits. Not only […]



News about Home Prices-What You Need to Know

What You Need To Know About Home Price News The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just released its latest Existing Home Sales Report.The information it contains on home prices may cause some confusion and could even generate some troubling headlines. This all stems from the fact that NAR will report the median sales price, while other […]






The Housing Crisis: 2 Big Issues Facing Buyers and Sellers Now

The biggest challenge the housing market faces is how few homes there are for sale. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains the root causes of today’s low supply: Two dynamics are keeping existing-home inventory historically low – rate-locked existing homeowners and the fear of not finding something to buy. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American Let’s break down […]



The 3 Factors that Impact Home Affordability

What’s Impacting the Price of Homes? If you’ve been following the housing market over the last couple of years, you’ve likely heard about growing affordability challenges. But according to experts, the key factors that determine housing affordability are projected to improve this year. Selma Hepp, Executive, Deputy Chief Economist at CoreLogic, shares: “. . . with slowly improving […]











What’s Happening with Home Prices?

One of the biggest questions people are asking right now is: what’s happening with home prices? There are headlines about ongoing price appreciation, but at the same time, some sellers are reducing the price of their homes. That can feel confusing and makes it more difficult to get a clear picture. Part of the challenge is […]


Experts Increase 2022 Home Price Projections

Why Are the Experts Changing Their Minds? If you’re wondering if home prices are going to come down due to the cooldown in the housing market or a potential recession, here’s what you need to know. Not only are experts forecasting home prices will continue to appreciate nationwide this year, but most of them also actually increased their projections for […]



What Are People My Age Spending Their Money On?

A new tool from USAFacts.org shows you what people your age are spending on living expenses. It also shows how much inflation is bumping up the costs. People in different age groups spend money differently, so inflation rates vary by age, too. The interactive chart (demonstrated below) shows average spending for households at each age, […]


How to Find a Home’s Risk Factor for Flooding

New Flood Risk Tool for Home Owner and Homebuyer Research Risk Factor (also known as “Flood Factor”) connects individuals to comprehensive flood risk information specific to each individual property, including the FEMA flood zone and a risk score between 1 (minimal risk) and 10 (extreme risk). Key Points About Flood Factor According to the National […]




Homeownership is a Great Hedge Against Inflation

Homeownership Is a Great Hedge Against the Impact of Rising Inflation If you’re following along with the news today, you’ve heard about rising inflation. Today, inflation is at a 40-year high. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): “Consumer prices accelerated again in May as shelter, energy and food prices continued to surge at the fastest pace in […]







Tips on How to Win in a Bidding War

Things That Could Help You Win a Bidding War on a Home With a limited number of homes for sale today and so many buyers looking to make a purchase before mortgage rates rise further, bidding wars are common. According to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), nationwide, homes are getting an average of 4.8 offers per sale. Here’s a look […]


Myths About Today’s Real Estate Market

Myths About Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights If you’re planning to buy or sell a home today, it’s important to be aware of common misconceptions. Whether it’s timing your purchase as a buyer based on home prices and mortgage rates or knowing what to upgrade or repair before listing your house as a seller, it takes a professional to guide you through those decisions. Let’s connect so you […]




What You Can Expect from the St. Louis Spring Housing Market

What You Can Expect from the Spring Housing Market As the spring housing market kicks off, you likely want to know what you can expect this season when it comes to buying or selling a house. While there are multiple factors causing some uncertainty, including the conflict overseas, rising inflation, and the first rate increase from the Federal Reserve in over three years — […]


Understanding Closing Costs

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard by Closing Costs As a homebuyer, it’s important to have a good understanding of closing costs as you plan and budget for the expenses you’ll encounter when you purchase a home. While most people understand the need to save for a down payment, a recent survey found 41% of homebuyers were surprised by […]


How Global Uncertainty is Impacting Mortgage Rates

How Global Uncertainty Is Impacting Mortgage Rates If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, you’ll want to keep a pulse on what’s happening with mortgage rates. Rates have been climbing in recent months, especially since January of this year. And just a few weeks ago, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac approached 4% for the first time […]


What’s Driving Today’s High Buyer Demand?

What’s Driving Today’s High Buyer Demand? [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights There’s an influx of buyers looking for homes today, and that means your house is in high demand. Here are a few reasons why so many people are looking to buy a home. Buyers are motivated to beat rising mortgage rates, and many want to escape rising rents. There’s also […]


How to Win as a Buyer in a Sellers’ Market

How To Win as a Buyer in a Sellers’ Market [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights Even in today’s sellers’ market, there are still ways for buyers to win big. Build a team of trusted professionals and make strategic plays as you budget and pick your desired neighborhoods. Then, be ready for the competition by getting a pre-approval letter and leaning on your […]




Why a Home Inspection Matters

Things to Consider Buying a home and wondering if your inspection is necessary? While some buyers may decide to waive their inspection, it’s risky decision. Your home inspection is a crucial step in the homebuying process. It assesses the condition of the home you plan to purchase, so you can avoid costly surprises down the road. Over the last 18 years we have personally […]



2022 Housing Market Forecast Infographic

2022 Housing Market Forecast [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights What does the coming year hold for the housing market? Here’s what experts project for 2022. Mortgage rates are projected to rise and so are home prices. Experts are forecasting buyer demand will remain strong as people try to capitalize on rates and prices before they climb, creating another strong year for home sales. Let’s […]


Will the Housing Market Slow Down This Winter?

snow covered wooden house near trees

Buyers Are Making Moves Right Now From the opportunity to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates to changing homeowner needs, Americans have more motivation than ever to buy a home. According to the experts, buyers are making moves right now, creating an unseasonably strong housing market for this time of year. As we wrap up the fall season and […]




What You Need to Know about iBuyers-The Buzz and the Buzzkill

Key Takeaways: Some sellers have turned to iBuyers for instant cash offers on their properties, but they have consequently sacrificed the personalization of their home sale. iBuyers use outdated algorithms to value properties, whereas real estate agents use to-the-minute statistics to generate accurate, competitive prices. Work with our team of local agents to expertly price […]





2022 Best Public High Schools in Missouri

The 2022 Best Public High Schools in Missouri was published this week by Niche.com. Niche is the popular online resource that provides information on K-12 Schools, colleges, cities and neighborhoods across the United States. The company website states, “The 2022 Best Public High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions […]



What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know About the Appraisal Gap

What Buyers and Sellers Need To Know About the Appraisal Gap It’s economy 101 – when supply is low and demand is high, prices naturally rise. That’s what’s happening in today’s housing market. Home prices are appreciating at near-historic rates, and that’s creating some challenges when it comes to home appraisals. In recent months, it’s become increasingly common […]


Options for First-Time Homebuyers

We know searching for a home can be very frustrating. You might be feeling that options for first-time homebuyers don’t even exist in this current real estate market. Our message to you is don’t give up! Having spent over 18 years in helping homebuyers we’ve seen a thing or two and have coached a lot […]






What is an Appraisal Gap and How it Can Impact a Home Purchase

What to Expect as Appraisal Gaps Grow In today’s real estate market, low inventory and high demand are driving up home prices. As many as 54% of homes are getting offers over the listing price, based on the latest Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser at CoreLogic, elaborates: “The frequency of buyers being willing to pay more […]






5 Stages of Homeownership (Parody)

A Comical Look at Buying and Owning a Home “The audience laughs at agreement – a secret of comedy that very few people realize.” I’m not sure where this quote originates from but it certainly touches on a truth: we laugh at things we agree upon and relate to. Hats off to Trey Kennedy a […]



What Price Ranges Are Most Affected by the Inventory Shortage?

Price Ranges Feeling the Inventory Shortage You’ve heard the expression, “A picture is worth a 1000 words”. How true! The graphic above was shared recently at the National Association of Realtor’s Residential Economic Issues and Trends Forum at the trade group’s midyear conference, the Realtors Legislative Meetings, which has attracted some 15,000 attendees. The homes in […]



Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?

Highlights If you’re thinking that waiting a year or two to purchase a home might mean you’ll save some money, think again. Mortgage interest rates are currently very low, but experts across the board are forecasting increases in both home prices and interest rates. Buying a home now means you’ll spend less in the long […]











3 Real Estate Reality TV Myths Busted

Separating Truth from TV Hype There are 3 real estate reality TV myths in the media today. Have you ever been flipping through the channels, only to find yourself glued to the couch in an HGTV binge session? We’ve all been there… watching entire seasons of “Love it or List it,” “Fixer Upper,” “House Hunters,” […]


Why Moving May Be the Boost You Need

Do You Need a Change? As we look back over the past year, we’ve certainly lived through one of the most stressful periods in recent history. After spending so much more time at home throughout the health crisis, some are wondering if they should move to improve their mental health and well-being. This is no […]




What is Home Equity and How it Builds Wealth

The Importance of Home Equity in Building Wealth Homeownership has always been the first rung on the ladder leading to household wealth. As Freddie Mac recently posted: “Homeownership has cemented its role as part of the American Dream, providing families with a place that is their own and an avenue for building wealth over time. This ‘wealth’ is […]



The Difference a Year Makes for Home Ownership

The Difference a Year Makes for Homeownership Over the past year, mortgage rates have fallen more than a full percentage point, hitting a new historic low 15 times. This is a great driver for homeownership, as today’s low rates provide consumers with some significant benefits. Here’s a look at three of them. 1. Move-up or Downsize: One option […]



St. Louis Housing Report November 2020

St. Louis Housing Report Compares November 2020 Activity to November 2019 How is the St. Louis Housing market compared to last year at this time? You might be surprised, delighted, depressed, anxious or hopeful or a little bit of all of these emotions. You can dive into the full report by following the link below: […]






Is Buyer Competition Holding You Back from Purchasing a Home?

This year’s record-low mortgage rates sparked high demand among homebuyers. Current homeowners, however, haven’t put their houses on the market so quickly. This makes finding a home to buy today challenging for many potential buyers. With an obstacle like this, those searching for their dream homes may be pressing pause on their searches as we […]






Why Today’s Options Will Save Homeowners from Foreclosure

Many housing experts originally voiced concern that the mortgage forbearance program (which allows families impacted financially by COVID to delay mortgage payments to a later date) could lead to an increase in foreclosures when forbearances end. Some originally forecasted that up to 30% of homeowners would choose to enter forbearance. Less than 10% actually did, and […]







Why Are Homes Considered More Affordable Today When Prices Keep Going Up?

If you have been reading about the real estate market recently you can’t help but pick up on conflicting messages. “Wow homes are more affordable now than ever before!” mixed with … “Low inventory and bidding wars are driving home prices higher!” The two statements don’t seem to be compatible with each other. So which […]



Latest Unemployment Report: Slow and Steady Improvement

Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its latest Employment Situation Summary. Going into the release, the expert consensus was for 1.58 million jobs to be added in July, and for the unemployment rate to fall to 10.5%. When the official report came out, it revealed that 1.8 million jobs were added, and the unemployment rate fell to 10.2% (from 11.1% […]






What Are the Experts Saying About Home Prices?

A worldwide pandemic and an economic recession have had a tremendous effect on the nation. The uncertainty brought about by both has made predicting consumer behavior nearly impossible. For that reason, forecasting home prices has become extremely difficult. Normally, there’s a simple formula to determine the future price of any item: calculate the supply of […]






Mortgage Applications Point to a Remarkable Recovery in Homebuying

CNBC Article Highlights Encouraging and Surprising Statistics about Buyer Demand Diana Olick, with CNBC.com, published an article this morning which probably surprised a lot of people … in a good way. The widely respected real estate reporter stated: If mortgage demand is an indicator, buyers are coming back to the housing market far faster than […]











5 Reasons Why We’re NOT Heading Towards Another Housing Crash

With all of the volatility in the stock market and uncertainty about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), some are concerned we may be headed for another housing crash like the one we experienced from 2006-2008. The feeling is understandable. Ali Wolf, Director of Economic Research at the real estate consulting firm Meyers Research, addressed this point in a recent interview: “With […]













What To Know Before Applying for a Mortgage

Everybody loves talking about mortgages. They’re fun, easy to understand, and a great icebreaker, right?….Wrong. Thanks to their lengthy process, technical jargon, and confusing options, mortgages have a bit of an intimidating reputation—but it doesn’t have to be that way! If you’re in the process of buying a new home and dreading the mortgage application […]





3 Local Schools in Parkway and Rockwood Recognized as National Schools of Character

Hanna Woods Elementary and Mckelvey Elementary located in the Parkway School district were listed as recipient of the National Schools of Character award by Character.org Lafayette High School and Blevins Elementary were also named as 2019 National Schools of Character. This is the second time Blevins Elementary has won this prestigious recognition. What is Character.org […]









2019 Chesterfield Amphitheater Concert Series Schedule

Chesterfield Amphitheater 2019 Summer Concert Series Schedule of Events The 2019 Chesterfield Amphitheater Concert Series Schedule has just been announced. Hosted in the beautiful Central Park, the Chesterfield Amphitheater is nestled right behind Chesterfield Mall with plenty of parking available to the public. Fixed seating and lawn seating is open to the public FREE of […]









St. Louis Neighborhood InfoGraphics-Looking Beyond the Home and Into the Neighborhood

  St. Louis Neighborhood InfoGraphics Location, location, location is one word that most people associate with the word real estate. Not to dethrone an accepted iconic phrase necessarily, but Convenience, Convenience, Convenience seems to be closing in at second place. There’s so much more to selecting a home than just the floor plan and curb […]








Why You Should Buy a Home During the Off Season

Your personal home-buying schedule doesn’t have to correspond with the real estate market! In fact, buying during the “off season” can yield tremendous advantages. The “off season” differs depending on your specific location, but always refers to the period of time during a calendar year when both inventory and competition are low. Usually, this corresponds […]



St. Louis Housing Report End of Summer Report:Median Sales Price Rise Alongside Growth in New Listings

St. Louis Housing Report August 2018- Rise in Median Sales Price with an Increase in New Listings “Although 2018 housing trends show we are in a sellers’ market, the rise in overall new listings compared to 2017 offers renewed optimism for buyers searching for their dream home,” said  St. Louis REALTORS® President Marc Levinson. The Press Release Stated: […]









St. Louis Housing Report June 2018-Tight Inventory as Interest Rates Increase

St. Louis Housing Report June 2018-Tight Inventory as Interest Rates Increase The St. Louis Housing Report June 2018 Report shows tight inventory as interest rates have increased says the St. Louis Realtors in their monthly report covering and comparing June 2018 statistics with June 2017 stats. “As little as two years ago, mortgage interest rates […]





2018 Chesterfield Amphitheater Concert Series Schedule

  Chesterfield Amphitheater 2018 Summer Concert Series Schedule of Events The 2018 Chesterfield Amphitheater Concert Series Schedule has just been announced. Hosted in the beautiful Central Park, the Chesterfield Amphitheater is nestled right behind Chesterfield Mall with plenty of parking available to the public. Fixed seating and lawn seating is open to the public FREE […]



Voice Activated Mortgage Calculator-Why Type When You Can Talk?

Voice Activated Mortgage Calculator A voice activated mortgage calculator is one of the new digital personal assistants available to home and mortgage shoppers everywhere. Why fumble around typing numbers into your small keyboard … when you can just ask your phone the question and get an answer within seconds? Hound, a popular mobile voice activated […]





Relationship Status of First Time Homebuyers

What is the Relationship Status of First Time Homebuyers? Have you ever wondered about the relationship status of first time homebuyers?  Probably not, but since it’s Valentine’s Day today why not check into the relationship status of who’s buying homes? According to the National Association of REALTORS most recent Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, married couples once again […]

















The Truth Behind the Rent vs Buy Debate

In a blog post published last Friday, CNBC’s Diana Olnick reported on the latest results of the FAU Buy vs. Rent Index. The index examines the entire US housing market and then isolates 23 major markets for comparison. The researchers at FAU use a “‘horse race’ comparison between an individual that is buying a home […]






2017 Chesterfield Amphitheater Concert Series Schedule

Click Here for 2018 Schedule Chesterfield Amphitheater 2017 Summer Concert Series Schedule of Events The 2017 Chesterfield Amphitheater Concert Series Schedule has just been announced. Hosted in the beautiful Central Park, the Chesterfield Amphitheater is nestled right behind Chesterfield Mall with plenty of parking available to the public. Fixed seating and lawn seating is open […]









The Top Real Estate Resolutions (And How to Keep Them)

Want to visit the gym more? Finally complete the home improvement project you’ve been working on? Save money for that new watch/car/house/vacation? January 1 is the perfect time to jumpstart your goals. If you’re like most people, according to Money Magazine, you probably have “stay fit,” “spend less,” or “enjoy the most out of life” […]






Biggest First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes-According to Real Estate Agents

Real Estate agents respond to poll asking What Are the Biggest First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes Inman News, a provider of real estate information, recently conducted a poll asking agents “What Are the Biggest First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes” they have seen in their careers. Close to 600 agents responded. Here in order are some of the top results, […]


HSH.com Study-St Louis Fourth-Most Affordable City for Homeownership

Nation’s Largest Publisher of Mortgage and Consumer Loan Information Ranks St Louis as Fourth Most Affordable City for Homeownership St. Louis came in fourth just behind Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Cincinnati as the most affordable city for homeownership in the nation. When a buyer is considering purchasing a home and/or relocating ,the most common question is, […]






Despite Record-Low Inventory St Louis Home Sales Soar

Second Quarter St Louis Home Sales Surpass Economic Predictions Approximately around the middle of each month the Housing Report for St Louis City and County is published by the St. Louis Association of REALTORS®. This report analyzes MLS  St Louis Home sales data from the previous month and Year-Over-Year comparisons. The infographic below covers some […]




Chesterfield Amphitheater 2016 Summer Concert Series Schedule

UPDATE: Click Here for 2017 Schedule Chesterfield Amphitheater 2016 Summer Concert Series Schedule of Events The 2016 Chesterfield Amphitheater Concert Series Schedule has just been announced. Hosted in the beautiful Central Park, the Chesterfield Amphitheater is nestled right behind Chesterfield Mall with plenty of parking available to the public. Fixed seating and lawn seating is […]





Spring Home Buying Trends Survey-How the Nation Responds

What Does the Spring Home Buying Trends Survey Show? The 2016 Spring Home Buying Trends Survey takes the pulse and reports Buyer preferences and sentiments about the Real Estate market.  Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, here’s what’s trending in the current national mindset. The National Association of Realtors in January through early March […]



Rockwood School District Wins AAA Rating from Standard and Poor’s

Rockwood School District Wins AAA Rating Award for 9th Consecutive Year from Standard and Poor’s Once again the Rockwood School District wins AAA Rating as awarded by Standard & Poor’s. This award is reserved for organizations with the utmost financial strength and discipline in meeting all obligations. According to Standard & Poor’s, a district rated […]







Developer Introduces The Place:Luxury Garage Project in Chesterfield MO

The Place-Luxury Garage Project Starts in Chesterfield Call it the ultimate man cave, or a condo-for cars development, or call it “The Place” the luxury garage project. With a planned opening in the spring of 2016.According to the Post Dispatch, “The Place” will feature 35 tricked-out-to-the-max garages for exotic cars, boats, RVs, or any other […]


What Men Would Like In Their Next Home

What Men Would Really Like to Have for Christmas Open floor plan, spacious kitchen, hardwood floors, main floor laundry are always a requested feature from women looking for a home.  Men, however have different needs. More often than not, husbands are willing to fall on their swords for the good of the family … while subduing some of their deepest desires. Guys, […]










The Home Buying Process in Plain English with Elizabeth Banks

Wouldn’t  it be great to hear about the home buying process in plain English? No spin, easy-to-understand, straight talk sprinkled with sarcasm and comedy to keep it fun?  Here it is!  The National Association of Realtors, and their website realtor.com, put together a 5 episode series starring Elizabeth Banks. Elizabeth, who has appeared in the […]




















St Louis Real Estate:3 Ways to Know if You’re In a Buyers or Sellers Market

3 Things that Indicate Whether You’re In a Buyers or Sellers Market Are we in a Buyer’s or Seller’s market? It’s been several rough years in the St. Louis real estate market.  We’ve seen home prices drop throughout the area and it is understandable if potential home buyers have been a little uneasy about making a home […]