Is Your St. Louis Home Priced for Today's Buyers?

The price you start with matters more than the price you hope to reach later. Price from recent sales of similar homes nearby, then prepare the home the way a buyer will see it.

When I sit down with a seller, the first question is almost always the same: what is my home worth? It is the right question. But it is easy to answer it with a hope instead of a plan, and I would rather you see my reasoning than just a number.

What the St. Louis market numbers say right now

St. Louis REALTORS reported that single-family homes for sale across St. Louis City and County rose 15.4% to 3,692 in September 2026 compared with a year earlier, while pending sales fell 16.1%. Homes that sold in September averaged about 31 days on the market and 100.0% of their last list price. Condos and townhomes took about 60 days and received an average of 97.4% of list.

Those numbers cover St. Louis City and County, not one neighborhood. Closer to home, the median house in Kirkwood (63122), Webster Groves (63119), Chesterfield (63017), Ballwin and Creve Coeur sold in about 5 to 8 days over the past 12 months (MARIS, through Nov 4, 2026). What both tell me is that buyers have more choices than they did a year ago, and homes that are priced well still sell close to their list price. That makes the starting price more important, not less.

How I build the price

I pull recent sales of homes like yours nearby and look at more than the final number. How long did each take to sell? Did the seller change the price? How do the size, condition and updates compare with your home? Then I show you the comparisons so you can see where your home fits and why.

Why the first weeks matter

When a home first comes on the market, the agents and buyers who have been watching for something like it all see it at once. In my experience that is when a home gets the most attention. A price that is out of line can slow showings, and a reduction later does not always bring the same excitement back. That is why I focus on getting the price right from the first day instead of waiting to cut it.

Walk through your home like a buyer

Before we list, I walk through the house with you and look at what a buyer will notice, from the front door to the basement. Often that includes a pre-listing inspection, so you see the issues first and can decide which repairs are worth doing. I also check what your city or municipality requires before closing, so nothing surprises you later.

Marketing that matches the price

Every home I list gets a custom marketing plan that goes well beyond professional photos and video, because I want the most buyers seeing your home when it matters most. If you are weighing a quiet launch, my post on pre-market versus public listings explains how that works in St. Louis.

If you are also buying your next home, I plan the sale and the purchase together, as I describe in my post for Chesterfield move-up buyers.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know what price to list my St. Louis home for?
I start with recent sales of similar homes nearby, then compare the size, condition and updates of your home with them. I also look at how long those homes took to sell and whether their prices changed. The goal is a price you can explain, not a number picked because it feels right.

What happens if I price my home too high?
Buyers and agents compare your home with others in the first days it is listed. If the price is out of line, showings can slow and a reduction later may not bring the same attention. Pricing from recent sales helps avoid that.

Should I make repairs before I list my St. Louis home?
Some are worth it and some are not. I walk through the home the way a buyer would, and often suggest a pre-listing inspection, so we can decide which repairs will help the home compete before you list.

Let us look at your home

If you are thinking about selling in the St. Louis Metro Area or West St. Louis County, call me before you choose a price. I will show you the recent sales, walk through your home and explain my reasoning. You can also reach me at shari@findyourwhaystl.com.

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 sources: St. Louis REALTORS Monthly Housing Report, September 2026; MARIS Matrix, single family closed sales, median days on market by town, pulled Nov 4, 2026. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.