What Is the Cost of Selling a House in St. Louis?

Published on May 29th, 2025
8 min read

Cheyenne Wiseman Associate Editor
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Cheyenne Wiseman Associate Editor

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Cheyenne Wiseman is an Associate Editor at HomeLight.com. Previously, she worked as a writer for Static Media (Mashed.com and Chowhound.com) and as an editor for CBR.com. Cheyenne holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Davis, where she also founded and led a literary magazine called Open Ceilings. She has four years of experience writing and editing on topics including real estate, financial advising, and pharmaceuticals.

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For many St. Louis homeowners, your house is likely your biggest asset, making the decision to sell a significant one. Whether you’re moving out of state, heading to the suburbs, or downsizing, you want a smooth process that helps you get the most from your sale.

Understanding the cost of selling a house in St. Louis can help you plan ahead and avoid surprises. In this article, we’ll walk you through the common expenses and share tips from a local expert to help you feel more prepared for your home sale.

Housing trends in St. Louis

Similar to many areas across the nation, the St. Louis housing market is facing high interest rates and elevated home prices.

“We’re dealing with very low inventory, but we have a strong pool of buyers who are waiting, looking, and hoping that new listings come on the market. It’s a little different here compared to much of the rest of the country. So, I’d call it a good market — not necessarily great for buyers, but definitely favorable for sellers,” says Susie O., a top St. Louis real estate agent with 28 years of experience.

Here’s what you need to know about the current real estate conditions in St. Louis:

	As of April 2025
Days on market	28 days
Median home sale price	$290,000
Closed sales	-2.9%
Supply of inventory	1.7 months
Population growth year over year	-2.27%

Sources: St. Louis Realtors, World Population Review

Sellers in St. Louis should pay attention to the days on market (DOM), which indicates the average time from listing to receiving a signed purchase agreement. Currently, homes in St. Louis have an average DOM of 28 days.

“We often see multiple offers, and demand is strong — though it really depends on the price range and location. In some cases, we might get up to 20 offers. In other areas, it might just be a straightforward sale. But if a property is overpriced, it usually won’t sell quite as quickly,” Susie says.

Start with a home value estimate

An important first step in estimating the cost of selling your St. Louis home is getting a home value estimate. Given the fluctuations in values and markets, checking your home’s worth is a wise idea. You might be pleasantly surprised by its value.

You can quickly request an online value estimate using HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. This free automated valuation model (AVM) tool uses recent sales data, local market trends, and your home’s latest selling price to generate a preliminary value range in under two minutes. Just enter your address to get started.

How much does it cost to sell a house in St. Louis?

Based on our findings, the cost to sell a home in St. Louis typically ranges from 6% to 10% of your selling price.

For instance, if you sell your home for $290,000 — the median home price in St. Louis — your selling costs could be approximately $17,400 to $29,000.

Your total selling costs will largely depend on how you approach home preparations, agent commissions, and buyer concessions. Let’s take a closer look at these factors that determine the cost of selling a house in St. Louis.

What are common expenses for sellers in St. Louis?

Susie notes that the cost of selling a house in St. Louis can differ significantly based on your specific situation and the current market conditions. Your home’s size, age, and condition are all factors to take into account.

“If your home is in good shape — shipshape, no maintenance issues — then you’re mostly just looking at those basic costs. But if you haven’t done much to it recently or life’s just gotten in the way, we highly recommend a building inspection,” Susie says.

Here are some estimated costs to guide you in your planning.

Prepping your house for sale

Preparing your St. Louis home for sale generally costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of your home’s final sale price. Based on the $290,000 median price of a home in the area, this could range from $4,350 to $7,830.

Here’s a breakdown of these expenses:

Pre-sale repairs: $4,500-$5,400, depending on the year your home was built and its maintenance.
Staging: $1,500-$4,000 (recommended by agents for higher proceeds).
Professional cleaning: $118-$237, depending on size.
Interior painting: $966-$3,086.
Landscaping: $1,248-$6,281.
Pre-listing home inspection: $250-$500, if desired.

Before starting any major renovations, such as a kitchen remodel or roof replacement, meet up with your agent. An experienced St. Louis real estate agent can advise you on what needs fixing and what doesn’t when selling your home.

Realtor fees in St. Louis

Agent commissions are some of the heftiest costs in a real estate transaction. In St. Louis, Realtor fees typically range from 2.5% to 6%, depending on whether you choose to pay the buyer’s agent commissions, which is no longer a given due to a recent court ruling that changed commission rules nationwide.

Based on the median home price of $290,000 in St. Louis, you can expect to pay between $7,250 (2.5%) and $17,400 (6%) in real estate agent commissions.

While agent commissions may seem high, working with a skilled professional can make a huge difference in the outcome of your sale. HomeLight transaction data shows that the top 5% of agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than average agents.

Later in this post, we’ll show how commissions can affect your total selling costs in our at-a-glance analysis chart.

HomeLight’s Agent Commissions Calculator can estimate your potential Realtor fees in your city. Also, try HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform to connect with a leading real estate agent in your St. Louis market.

Seller concessions

Seller concessions can raise the overall cost of selling a house in St. Louis. Beyond the direct costs of preparing your home and Realtor fees, you may also face indirect costs. These can include seller concessions and buyer incentives.

A concession happens when a seller agrees to use part of their proceeds to cover some or all of a buyer’s closing costs. The exact nature of these costs will depend on your market and selling situation.

While sellers don’t have to offer any concessions, doing so can attract more buyers, make your home stand out, and help close the deal. Here are some examples of seller concessions that might increase the cost of selling in St. Louis:

Home inspection fees: $296-$424, depending on size.
Buyer’s home warranty: $350-$900 (more comprehensive plans can cost $1,200-$1,400).
Repair credits: Seller credits vary and can reduce your net proceeds.

“Because our inventory is so low, we’re actually seeing buyers making the concessions. Sometimes, they’ll waive the inspection or skip asking for an appraisal altogether,” Susie says.

Closing costs and additional fees

Your closing costs and additional fees (excluding agent commissions) will likely range from 2% to 4% of your home’s selling price. Using St. Louis’ median home price of $290,000, this would be between $5,800 and $11,600.

So, what closing costs are sellers responsible for in St. Louis? Here are examples of the line items you’ll find on your final settlement statement:

Escrow fee
Title insurance premiums
Title search fees
Tax liens or other judgments
Homeowner’s association dues
Reconveyance fee and recording fees
Prorated property taxes
Mortgage loan payoff amount (U.S. average: approximately $250,000)

At-a-glance home selling cost example for St. Louis

This at-a-glance analysis is based on the median home price of $290,000 in St. Louis. To keep things simple, this table does not include a mortgage payoff amount. This chart may serve as a helpful planning tool as you prepare to sell your home.

Selling expense	Example costs*	% of home sale price
Prepping your home for sale	$5,800	2%
Realtor fees (commissions)	$8,700	3% (listing agent only)
Concessions, closing costs, taxes, fees	$8,700	3%
Total selling cost example	$23,200	8%

*General estimates based on St. Louis’s median home price of $290,000

If you decide to pay the buyer’s agent fee: Add an estimated 2.5% or $7,250.

How much profit will you walk away with? To gain a clearer understanding of your potential earnings after expenses, try HomeLight’s Net Proceeds Calculator. This free tool includes all the selling costs discussed in this post, including your mortgage payoff amount.

Relocation expenses

One expense you might forget to factor in is the cost of moving. Moving expenses vary based on your destination and whether you hire movers to pack your belongings. Here’s what you can expect to pay:

Typical cost to relocate: $883-$2,568
Typical cost to relocate out of Missouri: $3,000-$9,500

How can I reduce my seller costs in St. Louis?

If you’re looking to cut down on the costs of selling your St. Louis home, there are several strategies you can use. Here are some effective ways to keep more money in your pocket:

Handle repairs yourself when possible
Negotiate a lower commission with your real estate agent
Use a discount-commission agent or brokerage
Consider selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO)
Avoid offering seller concessions or buyer incentives
If you agree to cover closing costs or provide a repair credit, consider raising your St. Louis home’s purchase price
Resist the temptation to over-improve or make unnecessary repairs when selling
Sell your house off-market
Time your sale using HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator
Work with a top-performing St. Louis agent who has a proven sale-to-list ratio

“I would recommend getting a building inspection upfront to make sure any expensive repairs are handled before the buyer sees the property,” Susie says. “If you wait until the buyer gets their inspection, they could take bids and choose the most expensive contractor to fix the issue.”

Also, while discount agents or brokers offer cheaper services, their lack of experience might complicate the sale and could cost you money in the long run.

“With a full-service agent, you get extensive networking, often even before a house officially hits the market. This gives you a better chance of generating multiple offers. Discount agents, on the other hand, may not go the extra mile to ensure their sellers get top dollar,” Susie warns.

Helpful tools for your next home purchase

As you prepare for your next home purchase, consider the following HomeLight tools and our innovative Buy Before You Sell program:

Partner and plan with a top St. Louis agent

To figure out the cost of selling a house in St. Louis, a smart first move is to get a home value estimate.

Then, you need to create a plan to maximize your profits. HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can match you with a top real estate agent in St. Louis who can sell your property for more than its list price.

Typically, the cost to sell a house in St. Louis is 6% to 10% or more of your home’s final sale price.

HomeLight’s Agent Match can introduce you to the highest-performing agents in your market who can help you reach a successful sale outcome.

Header Image Source: (robertcrum / Deposit Photos)

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At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.

Cheyenne Wiseman

Associate Editor

Cheyenne Wiseman is an Associate Editor at HomeLight.com. Previously, she worked as a writer for Static Media (Mashed.com and Chowhound.com) and as an editor for CBR.com. Cheyenne holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Davis, where she also founded and led a literary magazine called Open Ceilings. She has four years of experience writing and editing on topics including real estate, financial advising, and pharmaceuticals.