The questions clients ask me most.

It depends on the loan. Conventional loans commonly start around 3 to 5 percent down, FHA loans around 3.5 percent, and VA loans require no down payment in most cases. Your lender will give you exact numbers for your situation before you start looking.

In most St. Louis transactions, the seller’s proceeds cover the commissions for both agents, so a buyer’s agent’s fee is typically paid by the seller. That means you get professional representation, local market knowledge, and negotiation help without an out-of-pocket fee in most cases.

Pre-approval tells you exactly what you can afford, makes your offer dramatically stronger to sellers, and prevents the disappointment of falling for a home outside your range. It is the first step I recommend to every buyer.

From accepted offer to closing is typically 30 to 45 days. The search itself varies widely, from a few weeks to several months depending on the market and how specific your criteria are. There is no wrong pace, and I never push clients to move faster than they are comfortable with.

A comparative market analysis looks at recently sold homes similar to yours, current competition, and your home’s specific condition and features. I will put one together for you at no charge and walk you through the reasoning behind the number.

No one can reliably time rates, and waiting has a real cost: prices in St. Louis have been rising, and every month of rent is money you do not get back. The better question is whether buying now works for your budget and your life. I can help you think through the numbers honestly.

Yes. I have helped veterans and active-duty families use their VA benefit across the communities I serve, even my own daughter who’s a Navy veteran. The VA loan offers no down payment in most cases, no mortgage insurance, and more flexible credit requirements. I can connect you with lenders who close VA transactions regularly.

I work across St. Louis County and St. Charles County: Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Manchester, Town and Country, Valley Park, Fenton, Eureka, Pacific, Wildwood, Des Peres, St. Charles, St. Peters, O’Fallon, Cottleville, Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, Dardenne Prairie, and Weldon Spring.

Absolutely. I help out-of-state buyers with video tours, honest assessments of condition and value, and a focused visit to tour the right homes. We can do most of the work before you ever get on a plane.

A pricing consultation. I look at recent comparable sales, current inventory, and your home’s condition, then give you a recommended list price and a plan. It takes about an hour, costs nothing, and gives you a real number to plan around.

In the current St. Louis market, well-priced homes in good condition often go under contract within a couple of weeks. The total timeline to closing is typically 30 to 45 days after an accepted offer. Pricing and preparation are the two levers that most affect how fast it happens.

Earnest money is a good-faith deposit, typically 1 to 3 percent of the purchase price, held in escrow when your offer is accepted. It is credited toward your down payment or closing costs at closing, so it is not an extra cost, it is part of your purchase funds.