As spring blossoms into summer in St. Louis, the local real estate market is experiencing a notable uptick—fueled by a combination of rising prices, tight inventory, and renewed buyer activity. Here’s a closer look at what’s behind this surge and what it means for buyers and sellers in the region.

Rising Prices and Tight Supply

St. Louis home prices are on the move. In April 2025, the median home price in the city reached $224,997—up 3.4% from last year, with the median price per square foot at $1641. Over in St. Louis County, the median home price hit $241,000 in February 2025, marking a 15% year-over-year jump4. This trend is even more pronounced in certain neighborhoods, with some areas like Pine Lawn seeing price increases of over 34% year-over-year1.

Despite these gains, the market is far from oversupplied. Inventory remains tight, especially for single-family homes. Last fall, the number of available single-family homes dropped by nearly 12%, leaving just 2,700 units on the market at one point4. This scarcity is putting upward pressure on prices and creating a highly competitive environment.

Strong Demand and Faster Sales

Spring is traditionally the busiest season for real estate, and 2025 is no exception. Mortgage rates have stabilized around 6.6%, down from last year’s highs, which has encouraged buyers who were previously on the sidelines to re-enter the market4. The result? Homes are selling quickly, with 57% of properties sold in March 2025 closing within 30 days4. Well-priced, move-in-ready homes in desirable neighborhoods are especially hot, often receiving multiple offers and sometimes selling above list price.

Sellers vs. Buyers: Who Has the Edge?

St. Louis remains a seller’s market. Homes are selling close to their asking price (median sale-to-list ratio of 0.999), and sellers who price their properties right are seeing competitive bids4. However, buyers are becoming more selective and are less likely to overpay for homes that are not well-positioned.

Buyers do have some advantages, though. While single-family inventory is low, townhouse and condo options have surged—inventory for these property types is up over 43% compared to last year46. This gives buyers more choices if they’re open to alternative housing types.

The Rental Market’s Influence

The surge isn’t limited to home sales. The rental market is also booming, with strong demand and rising rents. St. Louis consistently ranks among the top 15 metro areas for rent growth, and occupancy rates remain high, especially in fast-growing areas like St. Charles County2. Reduced construction activity means rental supply is tightening, which is expected to keep rent growth strong through the summer and beyond2.

What’s Ahead for Summer 2025?

Looking ahead, several factors will continue to shape the St. Louis real estate landscape:

• Seller’s Market Persists: With prices up and inventory tight, sellers can expect continued strong interest—especially for well-maintained homes in popular neighborhoods.

• Buyer Opportunities: While competition is fierce for single-family homes, increased townhouse and condo inventory offers more options for those seeking affordability or low-maintenance living.

• Rental Demand: The rental market remains robust, with high occupancy and rising rents, particularly in high-growth submarkets.

• Economic Stability: As long as the local economy remains stable and mortgage rates don’t spike, the market is poised for continued activity and modest price appreciation.

Conclusion

The spring-to-summer transition in St. Louis is characterized by rising prices, tight inventory, and robust demand. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent, understanding these trends can help you make informed decisions in a dynamic and competitive market. For now, the surge shows no signs of slowing down as summer heats up.