Posted by Dawn Griffin
Real Estate Hacks for St. Louis Buyers
If you want to buy a home but feel priced out of the area you want to live in, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common real estate frustrations I hear from buyers—especially first-time buyers and people relocating to higher-cost neighborhoods.
Here’s the good news: you’re not doomed. You just need the right strategy for where you are right now.
Below are four realistic, proven ways people get into real estate ownership without having a huge amount of cash upfront.
1. Buy Where You Can Afford — Rent Where You Want to Live
This strategy isn’t glamorous, but it works.
You buy a home in an area that fits your budget, even if it’s not your dream location. You rent it out and let a tenant help pay down the mortgage while you continue renting in the neighborhood that best suits your lifestyle.
Why this works:
- You’re building equity instead of sitting on the sidelines
- You benefit from appreciation over time
- You get a foothold in the real estate market sooner
Owning something is often more powerful than waiting indefinitely for the perfect situation.
2. Consider House-Hacking
House-hacking is one of the most effective ways to lower your housing costs while owning real estate.
This might look like:
- Buying a duplex, triplex, or four-family and living in one unit
- Buying a single-family home and renting out extra bedrooms
In some cases, lenders may even allow projected rental income to help you qualify for the mortgage.
Benefits include:
- Reduced (or offset) monthly housing costs
- Faster savings toward your next move
- Hands-on experience as a property owner
It’s not forever—but it can be a powerful short-term strategy.
3. Play the Real Estate Long Game (This Is Where Most People Win)
Your first home does not need to be your dream home.
Sometimes the smartest move is to:
- Focus on growing your income (raises, promotions, new skills)
- Save the increase aggressively—along with tax returns or bonuses
- Buy a home that needs cosmetic updates rather than perfection
- Improve it over time, then sell or rent it to fund your next move
This is exactly what my husband and I did. Our first home was a stepping stone—not the final destination—and we just kept buying fixers and moving, making enough to fund more projects.
Think of your first purchase as a financial tool, not a forever home.
4. Rent Strategically and Invest the Difference (If You Truly Will)
There are situations where renting can make sense—but only if you’re honest with yourself.
Unrecoverable costs of homeownership include:
- Property taxes
- Maintenance and repairs
- Mortgage interest
- Insurance
If you can rent for significantly less than these unrecoverable costs and you consistently invest the difference, renting can be a reasonable strategy.
That said, here’s the reality I see often:
- Landlords pass those same costs on through rent
- Many renters don’t actually invest the difference
- Rents often rise unpredictably
- Tenants can be forced to move when owners sell or reclaim the property
If you can afford it, paying down your own mortgage is often more stabilizing than paying someone else’s.
Real Estate Bottom Line
You are not failing.
You are not behind.
And you are absolutely not out of options.
Homeownership isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about finding a strategy that works for your income, your timeline, and your life.
If you’re feeling stuck, sometimes a small shift in approach makes all the difference. We have team members that have all approached it differently and guided clients through it differently. We’re here for you.