Moving Back to St. Louis: What to Know Before You Buy

Can you buy a house in St. Louis before you move back? Yes. Plan for three things: what photos cannot show, a closing that fits your start date, and how you will handle competing offers.

Moving back to St. Louis is a big move, and most people I work with are doing it on a deadline. A job starts on a certain date. Family is close by. You want to be in your own house, not in a rental.

I moved here from Portland, so I know how much easier it is when someone helps you see a place you cannot walk yet. Here is what I would want you to know before you buy a house in the St. Louis Metro Area from somewhere else.

Can I really buy a house before I move back?

Yes. A lot of people returning to St. Louis do exactly that. Many have already found a house online, and some buy after seeing only a few homes, sometimes just one.

The key is getting good information early, because you cannot drive by on a Sunday. Start with three things: get pre-approved, know the date you need to arrive, and tell me how far you want to be from family and work.

What do the listing photos not show?

Photos show you a kitchen. They do not show you what is around the house.

One buyer I worked with was returning to St. Louis for her job. She found a house online she liked. It backed to a main road, and no photo showed that. I recorded a short video standing in the backyard so she could hear the traffic herself. She crossed that house off her list.

When you cannot be here, ask for these:

• A video from the backyard with the sound on
• The real drive time to work and to family, at the hours you will actually travel
• A look at what is down the street

How do I line up my closing with my start date?

Three dates have to fit together: your start date, your closing here, and the sale of the home you own now. I am happy to work with the agent selling your current home so both closings make sense.

A short-term rental, or staying with family while your things sit in storage, is a last resort that nobody wants. A clear timeline early is how you avoid it.

What about competing offers?

Your friends in St. Louis will tell you houses sell fast, and they are partly right. Over the past 12 months, the median house in Kirkwood (63122), Webster Groves (63119), Chesterfield (63017), Ballwin and Creve Coeur sold in about 5 to 8 days. It depends on the house and its price group, though, and some sit longer.

I cannot promise you a winning offer, and I keep my strategy to myself. What I can do is tell you how a specific house is moving, explain the tradeoffs, and make sure you are comfortable with what you are offering. For the bigger picture by town, read my buyer's market or seller's market breakdown.

What should I tell my agent first?

• Your arrival date and your job start date
• How far you want to be from family, and the longest commute you will accept
• What you need in a home, such as move-in ready, a yard, main-floor laundry or a place to work from home
• What you do for fun, like hiking or finding good restaurants, so I can show you what is nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a house in St. Louis before I move back?
Yes. Many people returning to St. Louis buy from out of town. Get pre-approved, know the date you need to arrive, and tell your agent how far you want to be from family and work. Then plan for what photos cannot show, a closing that fits your start date, and how you will handle competing offers.

How do I know what a house is like if I cannot visit?
Ask for more than photos. A short video from the backyard with the sound on shows whether a house is near a busy road. Ask for the real drive time to work and to family at the hours you will travel, and a look at what is down the street.

How fast do houses sell in West St. Louis County?
Over the past 12 months, the median house in Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Chesterfield, Ballwin and Creve Coeur sold in about 5 to 8 days. It depends on the house and its price group, so ask about the specific home you like.

Thinking about moving back?

Found a house online? Send it to me before you fall for it. Or tell me your arrival date and we will start there. Reach out any time.

Shari Whay, REALTOR®, Real Broker LLC
Helping you find your Whay home.
Serving the St. Louis Metro Area and West St. Louis County | shariwhay.com

Data source: MARIS Matrix, single family closed sales, median days on market by town, Nov 2025 to Nov 2026, pulled Nov 4, 2026. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.