Columbus OH real estate Archives - Columbus Ohio Real Estate | Buyer's Resource Realty Services

Central Ohio Home Sales Warm Up in January

RealSupport — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:11:00 +0000

Central Ohio’s 2026 real estate market opened on a promising note for home buyers! 1,506 home sales were logged during January, essentially matching last year’s pace. New listings followed suit with 2,226 homes hitting the market, a slight uptick of 0.4% from January 2025.

Overall, January home inventory in Central Ohio is up 7.2% compared to the prior year. Homes are taking a bit longer to sell, with a median of 48 days on market. This is by no means a “slow” market, but buyers are not as rushed today as they were a year ago.

Housing demand in our area remains strong, and Central Ohio home prices are still ticking higher. New listings carried a median list price of $325,000 during January, while the median sale price rose 6.7% to $319,900.

January 2026 pending home sales are up 5.5% compared to last January.

As always, it should be noted that statistics provide a broad overview, but local communities have their own sales dynamics. For example, Hilliard City School District roared out of the gate in January with a 62% increase in home sales compared to the prior year. An increase in home inventory helped fuel the boom.

Going forward, Central Ohio home buyers have favorable conditions on two fronts: home inventory is improving, and mortgage interest rates have been inching lower. As of mid-February, 30-year fixed Conventional mortgages averaged a rate of 6.01%.

If you’re planning to buy a Central Ohio home, get expert insights with our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home Like a Pro!” We share tips and strategies you won’t find anywhere else, potentially saving you thousands of dollars!

As Exclusive Buyer’s Brokers, we serve your best interests at all times! Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest, at all times.

Understanding this distinction could literally save you thousands of dollars not only on the purchase price and terms, but also on seller concessions and home inspection issues, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner!

Andrew Show
Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, CEBA-M, MCNE, CSP, PSA,e-PRO, CREM, ABRM, AHWD
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services www.BuyersHome.com
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax

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Boomers Are Top Home Buyers in Latest NAR Study

RealSupport — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 09:34:30 +0000

The Boomer generation remains very active in the housing market, taking over the top home buyer spot from Millennials. According to the latest generational trends report from the National Association of REALTORS©, Baby Boomers accounted for 42% of all home purchases from June 2023 through June 2024. Millennials made 29% of all home purchases, and Gen X buyers outpaced Gen Z for the remainder.

Millennials represent the largest demographic in the U.S. by population, but the Boomer generation has an advantage in the market. Namely, cash! While higher mortgage interest rates and rising home prices curtailed the purchase power of younger generations, homeowner Boomers were able to sell their properties and benefit from years of value appreciation. In turn, many Boomers were able to purchase their new homes with all-cash offers.

It’s no surprise, then, that 53% of all home sellers during the same year-over-year period were Boomers. According to the NAR survey, most Boomers moved to be closer to family, or to downsize.

Here in the Columbus area, Millennial and Gen Z home buyers have more affordable conditions than other major metropolitan areas. About 51% of Millennial residents in the Columbus Metro are homeowners, according to a report by AXIOS. About 41% of Gen Z residents own homes. Buyers who are financially prepared, and educated about the market, can find opportunities in Columbus!

Get expert home buying strategies and insights with our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home like a Pro!” It’s yours immediately without any obligation, and the download is right from our own website.

As Exclusive Buyer’s Brokers, we serve your best interests at all times! Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interests.

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U-Haul Says Ohio Among Top Move-In States

RealSupport — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 06:49:11 +0000

If you don’t already live in Central Ohio, there’s a fair chance you’re thinking of moving here! As reported in the Columbus Dispatch, the U-Haul Growth Index shows Ohio ranking as the 14^th most popular one-way destination for 2024. This is a 9-point jump from the 23^rd position in 2023.

Within Ohio, the top destinations included Delaware, Grove City, Hilliard, Newark, Pickerington, Powell and Sunbury. U-Haul’s District Vice President, Anthony Jones III, said that “Columbus is a metro region where we’ve seen significant growth.”

The rankings are determined by each state’s net gain, or loss, of customers using one-way U-Haul equipment during a calendar year. The U-Haul Growth Index is compiled from over 2.5 million one-way U-Haul truck, trailer and U-Box^® moving container transactions annually.

The top move-in state was South Carolina, followed by Texas and North Carolina. States with high move-outs included California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. In some states, move-in and move-out activity results in a break-even or near break-even, which can be driven by college students arriving and departing.

In the case of Ohio’s moving activity, a quick look at population data seems to agree with U-Haul’s rankings. Ohio had 0.50% population growth during 2024, adding 59,270 residents. Ohio’s strengths in higher education, employment and quality of life make it an attractive place to call home. In particular, Central Ohio is home to a number of Fortune 500 companies, and leads technology growth in the Midwest.

If you are thinking of buying a Central Ohio home, let us be your guide! As Exclusive Buyer’s Brokers, we serve your best interests at all times! Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interests.

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Spring Market Update for Central Ohio Home Buyers

RealSupport — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 23:08:43 +0000

Central Ohio home buyers have more choices this spring, according to the latest data from Columbus REALTORS©. The inventory of Central Ohio homes for sale stood at 2,754 units during March 2024, an increase of 18.6% compared to March 2023. Inventory stood at 1.2 months of supply, which is about 2 weeks longer than last year.

Sales activity remains brisk. Central Ohio homes spent about 33 days on market before going under contract. Strong home demand moved prices higher on a year-over-year basis, with the average home sale price increasing 8.2% during March 2024, reaching $355,882.

Statistically, sellers are receiving 98.5% of their original list price. There have been some price adjustments, and in those cases, sellers received 100% of their last list price. The price corrections are modest and very localized, but it is a sign that home buyers are avoiding over-priced properties.

Meanwhile, mortgage rates are trending higher. As of April 18, the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate Conventional mortgage was 7.10%. Rates above 7% may sideline some buyers, but well-qualified home buyers should not be discouraged. Mortgages can be refinanced, but the supply of Central Ohio homes for sale is limited!

Before you begin your home buying journey, give yourself the advantage of expert insights and strategies! Read our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home like a Pro!” There is no obligation, and the wealth of knowledge is yours to keep.

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Columbus Home Sales Wrapped 2023 on Strong Note

RealSupport — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 08:20:47 +0000

Columbus area home buyers persevered against higher interest rates, inflation and rising home prices during 2023. According to the year-end figures by Columbus REALTORS©, the median sales price of a Columbus area home was $295,000 during December 2023, marking a 7.3% price increase compared to the December 2022.

When measured over a 12-month period of sales activity, the 2023 median home price in the Columbus Metro was $302,000, representing a 4.1% increase in prices compared to the 12-month period of 2022.

Sales price gains were particularly strong in communities like Pickerington, which saw a December median sales price of $449,900. This is an eye-popping increase of 45% over December 2022. The nearby village of Obetz saw a 33.8% increase in year-over-year home sale prices, with a median price of $356,425 recorded in December.

There is a bit of good news for Columbus home buyers. While the median sales price increased in our area, the speed of home price increases slowed down during 2023. By December, homes were spending an average of 30 days on the market. This isn’t exactly a “slow” market, but it held more breathing room than the summer months, when homes spent about 17 days on market.

Inventory remains a challenge for home buyers, but there was some improvement. The current supply of homes for sale stands at 1.4 months, which is a 27% increase from where things stood a year ago. However, new listings in December 2023 were down about 1% from December last year. Overall home inventory remains well below normal.

Looking ahead, inflation pressures and mortgage interest rates are expected to soften during 2024. There is some hope that pent-up sellers will bring more properties to market this year. Meanwhile, a measurable decline in mortgage interest rates is likely to bring more buyers to the market, meaning that home prices will continue to push higher.

As a home buyer, you need to do all you can to level the playing field! Start with our free e-book, our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home like a Pro!” Download your copy from our website today, there is no cost and no obligation.

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Intel Development Will Bring Housing Boom to Central Ohio

RealSupport — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:35 +0000

Central Ohio home buyers will soon be competing with thousands of new residents. The development of the Intel manufacturing complex in New Albany is expected to be completed in 2025. It will open with 3,000 jobs paying an average salary of $135,000. Eventually, the Intel campus will have up to 10,000 workers.

With a projected total investment of $100 billion, the Intel development is the largest economic event in Ohio’s history. While this is terrific news, the windfall of well-paying jobs will create unprecedented demand for Columbus area housing.

According to data from the Building Industry of Central Ohio, as published in Columbus Business First, Licking County will potentially need over 6,500 new homes and over 3,000 new apartment units over the next 10 years. But housing demand will not be limited to Licking County. A study by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission predicts that Central Ohio communities within an hour’s drive of the Intel campus will be fair game for new residents who are willing to commute.

The Intel housing boom could spread over 13 counties in Central Ohio. There is already a need for more housing to accommodate the thousands of construction workers involved in various phases of the Intel development. Then, there is the need for workers to build new homes, apartments, infrastructure and the amenities that will follow.

Considering the challenges home builders have faced with labor and material shortages in recent years, housing starts in Central Ohio could play “catch-up” with demand for years to come. If population growth exceeds housing availability, home prices in Central Ohio are likely to rise.

If you are a Central Ohio home buyer, it’s time to get serious about your home search! Using an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker will enable you to see any home on the market with expert buyer representation, including homes on the Columbus Regional MLS, homes For-Sale-by-Owner (FSBO) and new construction for sale by builders.

As Exclusive Buyer’s Brokers, we serve your best interests at all times. Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest at all times.

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Columbus Area Foreclosures Rise – Should Buyers Worry?

RealSupport — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 23:29:42 +0000

At any time, there are always some foreclosures taking place. Unforeseen events, such as an illness, job loss, divorce, or a death can cause mortgage payments to fall behind. On average, foreclosures affect about 3 percent of all outstanding mortgages.

This dramatically changed during the Great Recession. The abnormally high foreclosure rate caused a downward spiral in home values. Foreclosure statistics became closely watched by analysts and the media ever since. Any change in foreclosure activity can prompt a headline, which is where we are today.

In mid-January, the Columbus Dispatch reported, “Foreclosures shoot up in Columbus.” Technically, yes, foreclosures increased in 2022, but there are good reasons why the 74 completed foreclosures in Central Ohio are not cause for alarm.

1. The Columbus real estate market has been strong for several years. Low inventories of homes for sale pushed up prices and increased homeowner equity. When distressed homeowners have equity, they can sell the property to pay off the mortgage, avoiding foreclosure and possibly netting some cash in the process.

2. Most everyone who obtained a mortgage in the past 10 years did so with well-documented income, savings, good credit and a down payment. Those who passed the high bar set by lenders present a lower risk of mortgage default.

3. Investors own a number of single-family homes. Wall Street entered the housing market during the Great Recession, scooping up foreclosed homes in bulk transactions. Single-family homes became an asset class, and investment activity evolved beyond foreclosures. Investors typically pay in cash, meaning fewer mortgages are active in the residential market.

4. Central Ohio has one of the best economies of any metro in the United States at present. A robust economy helps reduce the odds of job losses that could potentially lead to mortgage defaults. Also, our strong economy keeps home demand positive, which takes us back to point #1.

This doesn’t mean foreclosures won’t happen. But the perfect storm that led to the foreclosure surge during the Great Recession is unlikely to repeat.

You can give yourself the best home buying protections in the industry by working with an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker! As Exclusive Buyer’s Brokers, we serve your best interests at all times. Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest at all times.

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7 Reasons Columbus Home Buying is Tough in 2021

RealSupport — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 08:56:39 +0000

Recently, we had the opportunity discuss Central Ohio home buying conditions with the Columbus Dispatch. As we said in the article, the Columbus real estate market is, bluntly speaking, insane! The current market frenzy is unlike anything we’ve seen in our nearly 3 decades in the business.

With a market this fast, buyers are making quick decisions about the largest transaction of their lives. Buyers are digging into their financial reserves to accomplish a home purchase – and then digging deeper to win a bidding war!

Here are 7 reasons why Columbus home buying is tough in 2021:

1. Pandemic-driven lifestyle changes, making homes a place to live, work, attend school, exercise and enjoy recreation, driving a need for more housing space.

2. Lowest mortgage rates in modern history, averaging below 3% for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

3. A mobile workforce that can work remotely while living virtually anywhere, swelling the ranks of out-of-town buyers.

4. A soaring stock market and rising home prices, which have empowered buyers who hold financial assets and/or equity in a prior home.

5. Home owners with little desire to sell because of the pandemic, or because of scant home supply to choose from, or because they recently refinanced their mortgage.

6. An improving Central Ohio economy, with one of the lowest pandemic-era unemployment rates in the country.

7. Chronically-low home inventory that cannot keep pace with demand.

The deck is stacked against buyers. This is exactly why you must not throw caution to the wind right now. Home ownership is a long-term endeavor, and the “fear of missing out” could cause short-sighted decisions!

Of course, we do have guidance for this market, and we share it with our Buyer-Clients! When you become our Buyer-Client, we will work hard to find you opportunities and help you succeed in these competitive conditions. We also “tell it like it is” so you are prepared for what you’ll be getting into.

As your Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we serve your best interests at all times! Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest at all times.

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Best Home Improvements for Future Value in Columbus

RealSupport — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 13:31:14 +0000

Columbus home buyers often intend to make updates to their new property to improve its functionality, aesthetics and future resale value. However, very few home improvements provide a dollar-for-dollar return when it’s time to sell!

For this reason, buyers should avoiding purchasing a home that is too small or too outdated to serve their needs. It may be feasible to remodel your way to your dream home, but this could prove more expensive than what the property will be worth in the end.

Yet there are times when home improvements are desirable or necessary. Before you begin a project, you should understand the return on investment you can expect. For example, here are comparisons by the 2020 Cost vs. Value Report, produced by Hanley Wood Media, Inc. (Complete data from the Remodeling 2020 Cost vs. Value report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.)

Best home improvement projects for return on investment in Columbus

Mid-range bathroom remodel: average job cost $20,643, average return = 81.7%, or $16,871.
Minor kitchen remodel: average job cost $22,602, average return = 80.4%, or $18,169.
Exterior wood deck addition: average cost $13,222, average return = 75.8% or $10,027.
Vinyl window replacements: average cost $17,346, average return = 75.1% or $13,029.
Roof replacement with asphalt shingles: average cost $23,999, average return = 72.9%, or $17,501.

In general, practical upgrades that improve functionality and protect your home are a better idea than following quick-changing trends. Contact us to find out what features remain timeless in the eyes of Columbus home buyers!

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Columbus Home Inventory Stays Low

RealSupport — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 09:40:26 +0000

The perfect storm for Columbus home buyers continued in September 2020, as the trifecta of low interest rates, strong home demand and low home inventory continued to drive the market. According to data from Columbus REALTORS®, the inventory of Columbus homes for sale in September was down 48.9% compared to September 2019. All in all, it has been a challenging year for home buyers.

The amount of time homes are spending on the market continues to drop for price levels below $500,000. Homes priced above $500,000 spent a few more days on market than they did in August, but it is not a significant enough change to call it a new trend. Here’s a look at the market times:

Homes priced under $350,000 = 15 days on market
Home priced over $350,000 to $500,000 = 25 days in market
Homes priced over $500,000 to $700,000 = 56 days on market
Homes priced over $700,000: 78 days on market

The average Central Ohio home sale price during September was $277,832, an increase of 16.0% from September 2019.

Please remember that these statistics do not include home sales that were transacted outside of the MLS, such as For-Sale-by-Owner properties, or sales that occurred directly through home builders without the aid of a listing agent. Even so, this low-inventory market remains a persistent issue, and one that doesn’t have an immediate end in sight.

Meanwhile, Columbus home buyers need to be well-prepared and patient. Do not be tempted to throw all caution to the wind and abandon the contractual protections you should have as the home buyer! Too often, this is the advice of typical agents who are more concerned with the seller’s position than your own.

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