Posts from October 2025
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28
Your Listing Agent Needs this Underrated Skill
Last month, 15% of U.S. home sales fell apart before closing. (Redfin)
Why?
Most of the time it came down to misaligned expectations, inspection disputes, and weak communication.
That's why we think the most underrated quality in an agent right now is the ability to hold a deal together.
We're talking about:
1. Staying composed if the inspection report reveals major issues.
2. Catching contract errors or missing disclosures.
3. Coordinating details across lenders, inspectors, and attorneys with precision.
4. Recognizing early signs of buyer hesitation and addressing the...
28
Steps to Prepare Your Home for Fireplace and Heater Use
As the weather turns colder in the area, you should make sure your heating systems can handle the upcoming chilly months. Whether you've bought one of the many St. Louis homes for sale or want to winterize your current house, taking time to set up your fireplace and heater can boost safety, effectiveness, and coziness throughout the cold season.
Check and Clean Your Fireplace Before You First Light It Up
Your fireplace needs careful preparation before you start your first fire of the season. Start by booking a professional chimney inspection and cleaning to remove creosote buildup, which can pose significant fire risks. A certified chimney sweep will check the flue, chimney structure, and damper to make sure everything works well.
21
How to Avoid Losing $23,000 if You Sell Your Home in 2025
Let's imagine you recently decided to list your home.
You priced it high—"just to see what happens."
The photos looked fantastic. The listing video—great. And when your agent texted you "We're live ?" you found yourself envisioning constant showing requests, positive feedback, and multiple offers.
But instead, the house sits on the market for weeks. A handful of showings. A few neighbors at the Open House. No offers.
Now what?
Eventually, you adjust the price.
But by then, buyer interest has cooled. Your days-on-market have climbed. And you've now paid 2–3 extra months of mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities—just to end up selling for the price you could've listed at from the start.
That's how a $500,000 home turns into a $23,000 mistake.
This is one of the most common scenarios that sellers i...
14
The Secret to Getting a Lowball Offer Accepted
The Secret to Getting a Lowball Offer Accepted
October 14, 2025 by Bruce Butler
If you're eyeing a property and wondering whether a lower offer might land, you're not wrong to ask. Lowballing can work, but only under the right conditions.
Here's what we've seen work in today's market:
1. Timing is everything.
Homes that have been sitting 60–90 days (or pulled and relisted) often signal flexibility. Sellers in that window are usually more open to negotiating, especially if the property's been overlooked.
2. The rest of the offer needs to be airtight.
Think: strong financing, short inspection window, flexible close date. When everything else runs smoothly, a lower price becomes easier to accept.
3. The d...
14
Perfect Spots Around St. Louis to Discover Your Next Fall Read
There's no feeling like browsing a local bookstore for your next read. There are plenty of great bookstores near St. Louis homes for sale, just waiting for you to discover them. Here are some that our real estate agents like to frequent.