The Guide to Selling Your Home in Chesterfield, MO

Chesterfield is a thriving western suburb of St. Louis, MO, with a competitive real estate market.

In this guide, we’ll share our expert advice on how to sell your Chesterfield house. 

You’ll learn our top tips, market trends, and what buyers are looking for.

Chesterfield is seeing lots of growth and new development, making it a great place buyers want to move to.

Let’s get into how to sell your home in Chesterfield, MO.

2 Sides of Chesterfield – Where Are You Located? 

Chesterfield consists of two zip codes, 63005 and 63017. These zip codes differ in price and neighborhood style. 

The western side, zip code 63005, generally has newer, larger homes. Prices are typically more expensive here.

The eastern side, zip code 63017, generally has older, more established neighborhoods with houses built in the 1970s and 80s. 

Average selling prices here are usually lower than in 63005.

Both sides of Chesterfield are highly desirable for the amenities, schools, and location. You’ll want to consider your zip code when pricing your home.

What Buyers in Chesterfield Are Looking For

Location

How close is your home to major roadways? I-64/40 goes through Chesterfield, making it easy for commuters or those heading to a sports game in St. Louis City. 

It also makes reaching nearby places like Richmond Heights, Webster Groves, Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur, and University City easy.

However, more development, while great for the local economy, can mean more traffic. 

This makes being close to shopping, grocery stores, and schools all the more appealing.

How Close Is Your Home to Popular Amenities?

Chesterfield has so much to offer and even more things to do in surrounding areas. Here are some top Chesterfield amenities people want to live near:

• The Chesterfield Valley: Plenty of shopping, restaurants, and Chesterfield Commons.
• The District: A new entertainment district was recently completed.
• Chesterfield Sports Complex: A brand new state-of-the-art sports facility. 
• Wildhorse Village: A new development featuring houses, condos, and townhomes. Soon, it will include shopping, restaurants, and offices.
• Downtown Chesterfield: Coming soon. The redevelopment of the Chesterfield Mall will bring even more amenities to the area.

Chesterfield School Districts

The Rockwood School District and Parkway School District serve Chesterfield. 

If you live on the western side of town, you’re more likely to be in Rockwood Schools.

To find out which school district you’re in, you can visit the Rockwood School District website or Parkway Schools website and see where your street address falls.

Some buyers need to be in one school district, like those who live in the area and have kids in one of these schools already.

Rockwood has two high schools that serve Chesterfield:

• Marquette High School
• Lafayette High School

Parkway also has two high schools that serve the area:

• Parkway Central High School
• Parkway West High School

Chesterfield schools are some of the best in St. Louis when ranked by students and parents.

According to Niche, these high schools are rated in the top 10 for public schools in Missouri, with Lafayette High ranked at #3. 

So, access to top public schools is sure to be a plus no matter where your home is. 

If you’re close to private schools, that may also be a bonus for some buyers. 

Outdoor Spaces

Homes near a park, greenway, or recreation area will usually sell for more than properties without easy access. 

Chesterfield has many parks, hiking trails, and playgrounds that buyers would love to be close to. 

Here are a few well-known parks you might live near: 

• Faust Park has a butterfly house, education center & playground.
• Central Park has trails, an outdoor aquatic center, a playground, and an amphitheater.
• Babler State Park is only 10 minutes away in Wildwood and has hiking trails.

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Chesterfield, MO

As of summer 2024, homes in Chesterfield are typically on the market for less than 5 days before going under contract.

Making sure your house is in tip-top shape will ensure you get the most out of your home sale. 

Knowing what to include in your listing description can also help you attract the right buyers.

The good news is that Chesterfield’s housing market is a strong seller’s market right now. The same is true of most areas in west St. Louis County. 

Homes are spending less time on the market and selling for top dollar.

Some of our recent listings in Chesterfield have even sold above the asking price.

Related Article: How To Sell Your Home Over List Price

Home Improvements That Might Be Worth Your Money

Not all home improvements are equal. 

If you’re debating doing some work before going on the market, here are our top recommendations: 

1. Fresh Paint: Aim for a neutral color like beige, tan, or gray.
2. Landscaping: Freshen up your front yard, driveway, and walkways. Consider power washing to make everything look brand new.
3. New Flooring: If your flooring is worn, outdated, or mismatched between rooms, consider new carpet, wood floors, or luxury vinyl. 
4. New Lighting Fixtures: New fixtures can go a long way, especially if your home is 15+ years old and you haven’t replaced any fixtures recently. Pay attention to chandeliers, pendant lighting, and ceiling fixtures. Try not to mix metals like gold and silver. Pick one and stick with it. 
5. Updated Bathrooms: New countertops, tiling, and glass doors can go a long way in your bathrooms. The primary bathroom is essential to buyers, so if you’re re-doing any bathrooms, start with the primary bath. 

Should You Fix Things Before Selling?

Ask yourself these questions when considering what repairs to make before selling:

• What is your timeframe?
• How much money are you willing to spend?
• What is your priority when selling the house? Time or money?

Buyers are willing to pay more for a house that doesn’t require work to move into. 

If you have the time and money to spare, making repairs may be the way to go. 

Related Article: Things to Fix Before Selling Your House

If you need to sell fast, stick to more minor repairs or skip them altogether. 

If your house needs significant work that you don’t want to do, you’ll want to ensure the listing price reflects that.

Programs in Chesterfield to Know About 

Residential Sewer Lateral Repair: A sewer lateral carries waste from your home to the main sewer. 

As the homeowner, you’re responsible for maintaining the sewer lateral. 

If there are issues, they can cause nasty problems like sewage back-up. Buyers will notice these problems when they inspect the property. 

Chesterfield has a program where you can recoup 100% of the repair cost up to $15,000.

Chesterfield Tree Program: Trees can significantly boost your home’s curb appeal. Chesterfield has a tree program to plant trees along public and residential streets to keep a consistent aesthetic.

What Major Repairs Should I Consider?

Major repairs are the work that needs to be done to make sure your home stays safe and livable. 

Most of the homes in Chesterfield were built after the 1970s, and many homes in 63005 were built in the last ten years. 

So, the repairs and updates that pertain to many of the historic homes of St. Louis won’t apply in Chesterfield.

Some common major repairs you’ll want to look at:

• Damaged roof
• HVAC issues
• Damaged siding
• Water Heater
• Foundation Issues

Any of the issues may be a dealbreaker for potential buyers. No one wants to see these on an inspection report because they can be a hassle to fix. 

These issues could prevent a buyer from financing the purchase using a VA or FHA loan. 

Minor Repairs and Cosmetic Fixes

Most minor and cosmetic repairs will not improve the integrity of your home, but they can drastically enhance its aesthetic. 

Making these minor fixes can attract buyers and make your home sell quickly. 

Minor Repairs to Consider:

• Leaky faucets
• Dented, scuffed, or scratched walls
• Dented, scuffed, or scratched siding
• Stained carpets: if you can’t remove the stain, replace it
• Mismatched door hinges/knobs
• Broken window seals
• Neutral, bright paint colors

If buyers are torn between two properties, they tend to choose the one that needs the least work to move in. 

Making these repairs early on will save you from the heartache of a buyer walking away during inspections. 

You’ll also be more likely to get the most out of your sale.

The Chesterfield housing market is competitive right now. Preparing your home for sale by making repairs, aesthetic improvements, and staging can ensure it stands out to buyers. 

Preparing to List Your Home in Chesterfield

Seller’s Disclosure Statement

If you’ve sold a house before, you’re likely no stranger to the seller’s disclosure statement. 

A seller’s disclosure statement is a legal document you should provide to potential buyers. It informs them of any property conditions that could affect their health or safety.

Chesterfield Noise Abatement Form

The noise abatement form is specific to Chesterfield, and it discloses that buyers might hear noise from the Spirit of St. Louis Airport during daily operations and events like airshows. 

It’s simply a disclosure to let buyers (or tenants) know that: 

1. There is an airport nearby, and
2. They might hear noise from it.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

The LBP disclosure comes into play for homes built before 1978. 

These homes may have lead-based paint; if you know of any lead-based paint in your home, you must disclose it. 

Since 63017 is the older side of Chesterfield, more homes in this zip code may have lead paint. 

Re-Occupancy Permits in Chesterfield

In Chesterfield, existing residential homes DO NOT require a re-occupancy permit. The permit applies only to commercial properties. 

A re-occupancy permit ensures a new business space meets city, county, and fire codes. Typically, this is the seller’s responsibility and is almost always required if you have a rental property. 

Marketing Your Chesterfield Home 

When you list your home, we want to emphasize its best features.

Be sure to highlight all of the reasons why living in Chesterfield is a great choice:

• Highly-ranked Schools
• Suburban life with plenty of shopping and entertainment
• Proximity to I-64 and I-40
• Access to greenspaces like Faust Park and Central Park
• The cost of living is lower than the national average

HOAs

If you live in a neighborhood or building with an HOA, you should know the amenities, restrictions, and fees. 

If there are amenities, be sure to include those in your listing. Access to a pool, sports courts, walking trails, or clubhouse is a plus.

Make sure your home complies with any HOA restrictions and is free of code violations. 

You’ll want to disclose any HOA fees and provide a list of the associated restrictions & indentures. 

The Chesterfield Real Estate Market in 2024

The Chesterfield market is competitive, showing an uptick in sales and quicker sales for single-family homes, condos, and townhouses. 

Homes are selling fast and for top dollar.

Trends in the Market for Single-Family Homes

• New Listings: Increased by 16.8% from 208 to 243.
• Pending Sales: Increased by 13.1% from 191 to 216.
• Closed Sales: Increased by 18.4% from 152 to 180.
• Median Sales Price: Increased by 9.5% from $553,500 to $684,646.
• Average Sales Price: Increased by 9.7% from $624,366 to $684,646.
• Percent of List Price Received: Increased by 1.6% from 100.9% to 102.5%.

Trends in the Market for Condos & Townhouses

• New Listings: Increased by 50.6% from 83 to 125.
• Pending Sales: Increased by 25.7% from 70 to 88.
• Closed Sales: Increased by 25.4% from 63 to 79.
• Median Sales Price: Increased by 3.7% from $347,000 to $360,000.
• Average Sales Price: Increased by 1.2% from $398,682 to $403,323.
• Percent of List Price Received: Increased by 0.8% from 100.1% to 100.9%

How Should You Sell Your Home?

• Hiring a real estate agent will ensure you get professional guidance and the most out of the sale of your home. 
• If you have time and some experience selling homes, you may choose to sell the house yourself or “for sale by owner” (FSBO). 
• If you need to sell quickly, selling as-is could be a good option. It will typically get you less than a traditional sale, but it can save you a lot of the hassle associated with getting a house ready for the market, and some real estate investors will pay cash.

Hiring a Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents are invaluable when it comes to selling your home. We know what a house needs to sell for top dollar. 

We bring years of experience to the table and can help inform you on things like staging, repairs, and listing price. A good agent will be with you every step of the way.

We’ll also handle negotiations, closing dates, open houses, and getting the word out through their connections. 

Keep in mind when hiring an agent:

• A listing agent commission is a fee based on the sale price, which ranges between 2.5% and 3% and can be negotiated. 
• It’s a good idea to offer a 2.5% buyer’s agent commission.
• When looking for a real estate agent, check to see where their listings are. Find someone familiar with your housing market. 
• Ask the right questions before hiring a realtor.
• Look at their experience and how many closings they have. 

For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

Selling your own home can sound appealing for a lot of reasons. 

You’ll save on commission fees, and you’re in complete control of setting up everything from contract to close. 

However, that means you will be responsible for all of the marketing, listing, negotiating, open houses, and navigating the closing. 

This process takes time and lots of coordination.

If you do decide to sell FSBO, here are a few tips to get you started:

• Declutter and make necessary repairs: Consider getting a storage unit for excess belongings. Remove any personal items, pictures, and extra items. Potential buyers like to picture themselves in the space, and having too much personality in a room can distract from that. 
• Curb Appeal: Make sure the outside looks welcoming. Cut the grass, replace any dead plants, and pressure wash the driveways and siding. 
• Get professional photos: People shop online first. Getting photos that make your property look open and welcoming is one of the best ways to attract buyers online.
• Be cautious when setting a price: Setting a price too high may cause a property to sit on the market, and setting it too low can make people wonder if something is wrong with it. You want to find the right price to get a fair offer.

Selling As-Is

Selling as-is requires less work with no repairs, but it also means you may get less for your home than you would if you sold it the traditional way.

An as-is sale could get you cash fast, but ask yourself if you want to take a lower price.

If you go with a cash-buying company or local home buyer, the sales price can be 10-30% below market value. However, you’ll save on closing costs and agent fees since there are no commissions.

Selling as-is could be a good option for a variety of reasons: 

• You have an inherited property 
• There are major repairs needed
• There was a sudden life event 
• The house has fire damage  
• It’s a vacant house in poor condition

If you use a cash home buyer, check references and reviews.

Not all cash house buyers are equal, and plenty of scammers exist.

In some areas, it’s common to see signs promising a stress-free, fair cash offer to sell your home fast with no hassle.

Cash buyers who are buying houses will post signs like:

• “We Buy Ugly Houses” 
• “Sell My House for Cash” 
• “I Want to Sell My House Fast Now” 
• “Sell Your House Fast for Cash” 

They’ll usually promise an instant offer if you call or submit an inquiry.

Make sure you know how the process works before signing anything. It doesn’t hurt to look at comparable properties in the area (comps) to make sure you get a fair price for your cash sale.

Sell While The Market Is Hot!

If you’re ready to make the move, don’t wait for the market to change. 

At Gateway Realty Group, we provide next-level assistance to our clients looking to sell their homes in the Greater St. Louis Area. 

We love working with sellers across Chesterfield, whether your home is new or old, big or small! 

We want to help you sell for the most money in less time with the least hassle. 

If you’re ready to work together, get in touch with us.