State guide

Buying or Selling a Home in Missouri: What You Need to Know

Missouri is one of a small number of states with no real estate transfer tax, which keeps closing costs lower than in neighboring Kansas or Illinois.

Are you buying or selling?

TL;DR

Missouri is one of a small number of states with no real estate transfer tax, which keeps closing costs lower than in neighboring Kansas or Illinois. The state recognizes five different agent roles — including a unique "transaction broker" who helps both sides without representing either — and requires written informed consent before one agent can represent both buyer and seller. Sellers don't have to use a state-mandated disclosure form, but agents and sellers must still disclose known material facts about the property, and since August 2024 every buyer using an MLS agent must sign a written representation agreement before touring a home.

10 things every Missouri buyer or seller should know

  • Missouri does not charge a state real estate transfer tax. Unlike neighboring states such as Kansas and Illinois, there is no percentage-of-sale-price tax on the deed, which can save sellers thousands of dollars at closing.

  • Since August 17, 2024, any agent who is part of an MLS (such as MARIS in Kansas City and St. Louis) must have a written buyer representation agreement signed before showing a buyer any home, in person or virtually. The agreement must spell out how the agent gets paid.

  • Missouri allows five agency roles: seller's agent, buyer's agent, designated agent, dual agent, and a "transaction broker" who helps both sides complete a deal without representing either as a fiduciary. The role chosen affects how much advocacy and confidentiality you get from the agent.

  • Missouri does not require sellers to fill out a standard state disclosure form, but Missouri law (RSMo §339.730) requires real estate agents to disclose all known material facts about a property's physical condition. Most Missouri sellers still complete the Missouri REALTORS Seller's Disclosure Statement to document what they know.

  • Missouri has a specific law (RSMo §442.606) that requires home sellers to disclose in writing if they actually know the property was used as a methamphetamine production site and was never decontaminated to state guidelines. The duty only applies to what the seller actually knows — there is no duty to investigate the property's past.

  • Missouri condominium sellers must provide a "resale certificate" before closing under the state's Condominium Property Act (RSMo Chapter 448). The certificate includes any unpaid HOA dues, declaration and bylaws, current budget, recent audited financials, pending special assessments, and any open HOA lawsuits.

  • Missouri does not require radon testing or radon disclosure in a home sale, but the EPA classifies much of the state — especially southern and central Missouri — as a Zone 1 or Zone 2 radon risk area. Most Missouri buyers add a radon test to their home inspection because high levels are a long-term health concern.

  • Missouri agents have no legal duty to research and disclose whether registered sex offenders live near a property. The Missouri Sex Offender Registry is public and searchable at the Missouri State Highway Patrol website, so buyers concerned about it should check it directly.

  • Missouri's Human Rights Act (RSMo Chapter 213) protects more groups in housing than federal law alone — including ancestry and people with disabilities — and is enforced by the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. The state law does not, however, add statewide protections for sexual orientation or gender identity.

  • Dual agency (the same agent representing both buyer and seller in the same deal) is legal in Missouri only with written informed consent from both parties before the dual role begins, under RSMo §339.760. A dual agent cannot fully advocate for either side in negotiations.

The guides

Common questions

Do I have to sign a contract with a buyer's agent before they show me homes in Missouri?
Yes. Because of the NAR settlement that took effect on August 17, 2024, every MLS member in Missouri — including all agents who use MARIS in Kansas City or St. Louis — must have a signed written buyer representation agreement before showing you a home in person or virtually. The agreement must spell out how much your agent is paid and what services they will provide. You can negotiate the terms before signing.
Does the seller still pay the buyer's agent commission in Missouri?
Not automatically. After the NAR settlement, Missouri MLS services like MARIS no longer display a buyer-agent commission as part of the listing. A seller can still choose to offer one, but it is now negotiated separately and is often written into the contract as a "seller concession" toward the buyer's closing costs.
How much will I pay in transfer taxes when I sell my home in Missouri?
Nothing at the state level. Missouri is one of a small number of states with no real estate transfer tax, no documentary stamp tax, and no deed-recording tax tied to the sale price. That is a real savings compared to neighboring Kansas or Illinois, where transfer taxes can add thousands of dollars to closing.
Does the seller have to fill out a property disclosure form in Missouri?
There is no Missouri law that forces sellers to use a specific disclosure form, but state law (RSMo §339.730) does require agents to disclose any known material facts about the home's physical condition. In practice, most Missouri agents use the Missouri REALTORS Seller's Disclosure Statement so the seller's knowledge is documented in writing and both sides are protected.
Should I get a radon test when buying a home in Missouri?
Most buyers do, even though no Missouri law requires it. The EPA puts most of the state in Zone 1 or Zone 2 for radon risk, especially in southern and central Missouri where the limestone geology pushes more radon into basements. Adding a radon test to your inspection contingency typically costs around $100–$200 and lets you negotiate mitigation if levels are high.
What is a "transaction broker" in Missouri, and is it different from a regular agent?
A transaction broker is a Missouri-specific role (RSMo §339.750) where one licensee helps both buyer and seller complete a deal without representing either side as a fiduciary. They handle paperwork and keep the transaction moving but cannot give negotiation advice or fully advocate for either party. It can be useful when the parties already agree on price, but you will not get the full advocacy of a buyer's or seller's agent.
Can one agent represent both me and the other party in a Missouri home sale?
Yes, but only with written informed consent from both buyer and seller, signed before the dual role starts (RSMo §339.760). A dual agent cannot fully advocate for either side during negotiation — they have to stay neutral on price and terms — so understand that tradeoff before agreeing. Many Missouri brokerages prefer "designated agency," where two different agents at the same firm represent each side instead.
What if the home I'm selling used to have a meth lab in it?
Missouri law (RSMo §442.606) requires the seller to disclose in writing if they actually know the property was used to produce methamphetamine and was never decontaminated under state guidelines. The duty only kicks in for what the seller actually knows — there is no requirement to investigate the home's history before listing. Failing to disclose known meth history can void the sale and lead to civil liability.
How are HOA fees and condo documents handled when buying a condo in Missouri?
Missouri's Condominium Property Act (RSMo Chapter 448) requires the seller to give the buyer a "resale certificate" before closing. It must include any unpaid assessments tied to the unit, the condo declaration and bylaws, the current budget and recent audited financials, any pending special assessments, and any open HOA lawsuits. Review it carefully — a large pending special assessment can dramatically change the cost of ownership.
Are nearby registered sex offenders disclosed when I buy a home in Missouri?
No. Missouri courts have ruled that real estate agents have no affirmative duty to research and disclose nearby sex offender registry information, partly because the data is public. If this matters to you, search the Missouri State Highway Patrol's online registry at mshp.dps.mo.gov for the property address before you make an offer.

Glossary

2 terms
NAR — National Association of Realtors
The national trade group for real-estate agents. The 2024 NAR settlement is the legal deal that changed how buyer's agents get paid.
MLS — Multiple Listing Service
The shared database agents use to list and find homes for sale. Most homes you'll see online started here.