Columbus Ohio Real Estate | Buyer’s Resource Realty Services

Robust Demand Keeps Home Sales Humming in Central Ohio

RealSupport — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:31:37 +0000

It’s a busy summer for home buyers in Central Ohio! During June 2026, Central Ohio homes spent an average of 25 days on market before going under contract. According to data from the Columbus and Central Ohio Regional MLS, June home sale transactions were up 5% compared to last year.

Overall home supply remains below normal, however. As of June, Central Ohio had 2.2 months of home supply, which is well below the 4 to 6 month supply of historic norms. In other words, at the current pace of sales, all available homes would be sold in just over 2 months, if no new properties came to market.

Robust home demand is often followed by rising home prices. Fortunately for Central Ohio buyers, a 7% increase in year-over-year home inventory helped temper home price growth. The median sales price of a Central Ohio home was $352,000 during June, reflecting a modest gain of .06% compared to June 2025.

This is a broad overview, however. Home prices in each Central Ohio community have their own trends. For example:

Bexley median sales price: $665,000
Dublin (Corp.) median sales price: $675,000
Upper Arlington median sales price: $710,000
Downtown Columbus (43215) median sales price: $373,000

The Central Ohio markets showing the strongest sales growth year-over-year include:

South-Western City School District (Grove City): 181 closed sales, up 19.9%
Westerville City School District: 133 closed sales, up 23.1%
Big Walnut Local School District (Sunbury): 41 closed sales, up 46.4%

To find the best value for your home buying budget, get the expert advice of an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker! We never represent sellers, which means we can be frank about home prices, property condition and purchase negotiations. Learn how we make a difference by reading our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home like a Pro.” There is no obligation.

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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2026 Home Buyers Motivated by Housing Stability

RealSupport — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:23:26 +0000

Higher home prices and elevated mortgage interest rates are not stopping motivated buyers, according to the newest Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report. The annual report surveyed 2,000 U.S. renters and homeowners during the spring of 2026. Here are the highlights from the report, along with our own insights!

Home buyers are seeking stability and security. 94% of respondents said that home ownership provides a sense of stability. Having control over one’s own housing is a primary motive for many buyers. The majority of respondents recognize the long-term value of home ownership.

Buyers see home ownership as an investment. 90% of respondents say that a home is a valuable investment. In 2025, the average U.S. homeowner with a mortgage held approximately $295,000 to $299,000 in total accumulated home equity. While there are no guarantees that any specific home will increase in value, home ownership offers the opportunity to build equity.

Home ownership is emotionally fulfilling. 86% of respondents said owning a home brings a sense of accomplishment and is emotionally satisfying.

Home ownership beats renting. 53% of survey respondents say it’s better to buy a home than to rent. This is the first time home ownership has beaten renting in respondent opinion since 2023.

Home affordability remains an issue. 58% of respondents say that high home prices have prevented them from buying a home. This is up from 46% in 2025. The desire for home ownership is strong, but most respondents say that home buying is more expensive today than it was just a year ago.

Gen Z buyers are willing to adapt, rather than wait. About 28% of Gen Z respondents said they are willing to take on extra jobs to afford a home. 32% are willing to co-buy a home with friends or family. 31% planned to explore down payment assistance programs.

Most buyers still want a professional to help them during the home buying process. 54% of respondents said they prefer human expertise for managing the contracts and legal elements. 55% prefer having an agent at their side when touring homes for sale.

Exclusive Buyer Representation makes all the difference in your home buying experience! We help home buyers save money and avoid pitfalls at virtually every step of the home buying process. In fact, our buyer-centric purchase contracts give you protections that typical “dual” agents cannot offer. Learn how we make a difference by reading our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home like a Pro.” There is no obligation, and the information is yours to keep.

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First Steps for Home Buying in Central Ohio!

RealSupport — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:57:27 +0000

Successful home buying in Central Ohio takes planning, preparation and expert guidance! The most important steps of the home buying journey begin before you enter the market.

1. Learn about home buying from trusted experts. As Exclusive Buyer’s Brokers, we hold the best interests of our Buyer-Clients above all! We never represent sellers, which allows us to give buyers an unsurpassed level of dedication and service. This means we give you expert advice about home prices, negotiation strategies, contingencies, inspection issues and more.

2. Verify your credit history for accuracy. You can obtain a free credit report from the official website: Annualcreditreport.com. This report shows your personal credit profile, credit accounts and payment habits. If you spot any errors, report them to the bureau for correction.

3. Apply for a mortgage pre-approval. This is the best way to discover your home buying budget. Obtaining a mortgage pre-approval does not commit you to going through with a loan.

4. Consider what you need most in your new home. Keeping priorities in mind will focus your home search, and help you avoid rabbit holes.

5. Be ready to put time and effort into the home search and purchase process. Keep your credit in good shape, too!

6. Respond promptly to messages from your mortgage lender and/or Exclusive Buyer’s Broker. The most desirable homes that are priced right, sell quickly! Skipping a message can mean missing an opportunity.

7. Be flexible where you can. You may have your heart set on a certain Central Ohio community, but there are many homes and neighborhoods worth your consideration! As Exclusive Buyer’s Brokers, we’ll help you evaluate and compare your best options.

Learn how we make a difference for Central Ohio home buyers! Read our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home like a Pro.” You can obtain it directly from our website without any obligation.

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Market Update for Central Ohio Home Buyers

RealSupport — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:21:13 +0000

Central Ohio real estate shows a moderate rise in home prices as inventory improves. Here’s the latest data from Columbus REALTORS©, along with our insights!

The median sales price of a Central Ohio home increased 4.3% on a year-over-year basis, reaching $350,000 during May 2026. Looking at it another way, the average sales price was $408,993, a gain of 5.2% year-over-year.

Home prices are growing, but they are tempered by an increasing number of homes for sale. The total inventory of homes for sale increased 8.2% from a year ago. The supply of homes for sale stands at 2 months, meaning that if no new listings came to market, it would take 2 months for buyers to purchase everything currently for sale.

We remain far from a balanced market, which is typically between 4 and 6 months of supply. But the pace of sales, while still quick, shows that inventory growth is gradually easing the pressure on buyers. Homes spent an average of 29 days on market before going under contract during May.

Home sellers still hold the advantage in most Central Ohio markets. On average, sellers are receiving about 98.4% of their original asking price. There are list price adjustments taking place in some situations, however, showing that buyers aren’t jumping at every “For Sale” sign.

The Central Ohio market still holds more demand than supply. Fortunately, home buyers have it better today than they did during the pandemic! But there is limited time to make decisions. The most desirable homes in popular neighborhoods sell very quickly, and bidding wars can happen on any reasonably-priced property.

Being prepared for home buying makes all the difference! Start with our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home Like a Pro!” We share money-saving tips and purchase strategies you won’t find anywhere else.

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Trees and Liability Basics for Ohio Home Buyers and Homeowners

RealSupport — Tue, 26 May 2026 06:27:20 +0000

These days, trees can be a source of liability for Ohio homeowners. Wind and storm damage, including damage from toppled trees and broken limbs, is a top reason for homeowner’s insurance claims. As a result, insurance companies are giving trees the stink eye when they perform property inspections. Trees growing too close to the house, or trees that have limbs reaching over the house, are seen as a risk. An insurance company may demand the trimming or removal of such trees in order to issue, or continue, the homeowner’s policy.

Depending on the size of the trees and their proximity to buildings, power lines, etc., tree trimming or removal can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. If you find yourself removing trees to satisfy an insurance company, be sure to use a licensed and insured professional. Improper trimming can weaken or destroy an otherwise healthy tree. Careless tree removal can cause damage to your home, or to a neighbor’s!

Ohio home ownership and tree liability

You can’t cut down your neighbor’s trees, but Ohio typically allows you to trim branches that cross over your property line. You must use reasonable care to avoid causing damage to the tree’s health.

In Ohio, the owner of the property where a toppled tree lands is generally responsible for the damage and cleanup. If the tree was healthy and fell during a storm, it is considered an act of nature, with no blame. Your homeowner’s insurance should cover your repair expenses, even if it wasn’t your tree that caused the damage.

However, the homeowner who has ownership of the tree can be held liable if negligence was involved. For example, if a tree was obviously diseased, dead or dying, a reasonable person would be expected to take action before the tree caused a problem.

Proving negligence can be tricky. If your home is threatened by an unhealthy tree that resides on the neighbor’s property, don’t wait for disaster. Provide your neighbor with a friendly, factual letter about the tree’s condition. Follow up with more letters if needed; keep copies. If you experience property damage from the tree before it gets removed, you can prove your attempts to alert your neighbor. This will help your case with the insurance company. Please note, nothing here is intended as legal advice. Direct any liability questions to an attorney.

We hope this information is helpful! 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 Home Inventory Builds as Home Price Rise

RealSupport — Tue, 12 May 2026 08:00:11 +0000

Despite rising inventory, the median price of a Central Ohio home in April 2026 increased 8.3% compared to April 2025. According to data from the Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS, April’s median home price was $346,500.

When the sales prices are calculated as an average, home prices were up 5.9% from a year ago, averaging $396,480.

April gave Central Ohio home buyers the best inventory seen in years. The number of homes listed for sale through the Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS increased 13.4% compared to April 2025. Home supply, which considers the rate of absorption of available homes, stood at 2 months.

Improved supply helped slow down the pace of sales. On average, homes spent about 39 days on the market before going under contract. This is a slowdown of about 7 days compared to April 2025.

While this is not a “slow” market by any means, the gradual trend of longer days on market and rising inventory should eventually ease home price appreciation. This does not mean buyers should expect home prices to fall below their current thresholds. Instead, the data points to home prices rising more slowly, and by smaller increments, as the number of new listings reach their seasonal peak.

All real estate is local, however, and some Central Ohio markets might ignore that script. Home sales have been robust in the Olentangy Local School District, the Grove City Corporation, the Westerville City School District and the Lancaster City School District. Home prices vary widely by district, with Olentangy Local School District posting the highest median of this group at $581,703.

For Central Ohio home buyers, the spring and early summer market will offer the best selection of homes that we’ve seen in years. And if you work with us, your selection is enhanced by our ability to show you any home on the market, including homes for sale by owner (FSBO) and new construction for sale by home builders, in addition to homes listed through the MLS.

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Payments can Change on a Fixed-Rate Mortgage: Here’s What Ohio Home Buyers Should Know

RealSupport — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:10:28 +0000

Having a fixed-rate mortgage offers protection against future increases in mortgage interest rates. Specifically, a fixed-rate mortgage means that the principal and interest portion of your monthly payment will remain the same, though the allocation between them will adjust as the loan matures. (You can see how this works on mortgage calculators, as found on Bankrate and other financial websites.)

But this doesn’t mean your overall monthly payment can’t go up. If you have an FHA, VA or USDA mortgage, an escrow account for the payment of property taxes and homeowner’s insurance is required. If your property tax bill goes up, and/or your homeowner’s insurance premium rises, the escrow portion of your monthly mortgage payment will increase. If these expenses rise year-over-year, the escrow portion of your mortgage payment will be rising to catch up.

Ohio homebuyers and homeowners need to know that escrow accounts can also require a “reserve.” Mortgage servicers are allowed by law to hold 2 months worth of escrow deposits as a cushion against future increases in taxes and insurance. However, since the 2-month reserve also has to be maintained, increases in taxes and insurance can mean 14-months worth of escrow deposit catch-up.

For example: If you have annual property taxes of $4,800 and an annual homeowner’s insurance premium of $950, These two items would total $5,750 per year. Your monthly escrow would be based on $5,750 divided by 12 months = $479.16 per month. This $479.16 would be added to your principal and interest payment, to create your total monthly mortgage payment.

But if your tax bill comes in at $5,100 and your insurance premium changed to $1,200, your mortgage servicer will pay these bills anyway – but then collect the difference from you. This is a one-two punch, because they need to make up the shortfall for the current year, and collect at least these amounts for next year. Also, if there is an escrow reserve, it needs to be increased to match the new monthly deposits.

It would look something like this:

Taxes: $4,800 collected, $5,100 paid = $300 shortage

Insurance: $950 collected, $1,200 paid = $250 shortage

New escrow payment:

Total annual tax and insurance payments: $6,300 per year = $525.00 new monthly escrow deposit

Total shortage $550. Divided by 12 = $45.83 per month shortage recovery

Total new monthly escrow payment $570.83.

If an escrow reserve is held, your servicer will also collect 2 months of the difference between the old escrow deposit ($479.16) and your new base escrow deposit ($525.00), which is $45.84.

So, $45.84 x 2 = $91.68. This would be divided by 12, to collect over 12 months with the rest of the escrow deposits, becoming another $7.64 on your monthly escrow payment. The grand total for your monthly escrow deposit would now be $578.43.

As an option, you can elect to pay off an escrow shortage in a lump sum, rather than have it prorated over a 12-month period.

Mortgage servicers analyze, or reconcile, your escrow account each year. Escrow overages can happen too, and if your tax and insurance payments come in lower than expected, you may receive an escrow refund for the difference.

Always check your mortgage statements, and watch your tax and insurance bills, too! If you have questions about the handling of your escrow account, reach out to your servicer promptly.

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Millennial Generation Leads First-Time Home Buyers

RealSupport — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:51:26 +0000

There is good news and less-than-good news in the latest home buyer survey from the National Association of REALTORS©. In the 2026 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from NAR, a generational divide is evident among home buying activity, with Baby Boomer adults commanding the lion’s share of the market.

When home buying activity as a whole is examined, Baby Boomers accounted for 42% of the market. This is unchanged from the prior report. Baby Boomers also account for the majority of home sellers at 55%.

Millennials were runner-ups in the home buying race, accounting for 26% of purchase transactions. They were followed by Gen X at 25%, Gen Z at 4%, and the Silent Generation at 4%.

When home buying is examined through the lens of first-time buyers only, the results are more nuanced. This is where Millennials have the greatest market share, followed by Gen X buyers, with Boomers a distant third. However, over the past year, the percentage of purchase transactions belonging to first-time buyers has dropped to 21%. This is the smallest market share for first-time buyers since NAR began tracking it in 1981.

Last year, first-time buyers accounted for 24% of all home purchases. This too, was a low percentage compared to historic norms.

Rising home prices have contributed to the drop in first-time buyers. The median price of a Columbus area home, for example, was $315,000 as of February 2026. Travel back in time to 2020, and you would see a median home price of $200,000 to $232,000. This is quite a price jump in the span of six years, and mortgage interest rates are higher now as well.

For Columbus area home buyers, there is a bright spot – our median home prices are lower than many other major cities, and our employment outlooks are promising. Conditions for first-time buyers will hopefully improve as more home inventory comes to market, and mortgage interest rates decline. Consumer sentiment, economic conditions and interest rate trends could bump the table, but home demand in Central Ohio has been very consistent.

In the meantime, future home buyers should prepare for success! Get started with out free e-book, “How to Buy a Home like a Pro.” The tips and strategies will help you save money and avoid common pitfalls in the home buying process!

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Avoiding Foreclosure: Tips for Ohio Homeowners and Home Buyers

RealSupport — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:24:08 +0000

Foreclosures have quietly crept higher across the U.S., according to information from ATTOM data services. As of January 2026, home foreclosures nationwide increased 26% compared to January 2025.

Ohio currently has the 12th-hightest foreclosure rate in the nation, with one filing for every 3,099 homes. (Nationally, the ratio is one foreclosure in every 3,547 homes.) This is far lower than the levels seen during the Great Recession, but it still bears watching.

Certain areas of Ohio have long struggled with foreclosures. During 2025, about 10% of the foreclosures in Cuyahoga County were attributed to vacant homes. It’s hard to imagine someone abandoning a property with today’s home values, but it happens. Sometimes a home needs more repair than what the market value supports, or what the homeowner can afford.

Other reasons for foreclosure include job loss, divorce, serious health issues, and the death of the homeowner or co-owner. This is why a percentage of foreclosure activity is normal, no matter how “good” the local real estate market might be.

How can foreclosure be avoided?

Never skip a mortgage payment. Once a mortgage payment is 30 days past due, the default clause may be triggered, allowing the lender to seek foreclosure. Typically the process does not start for 90 days. Still, it is very difficult for most people to recover after the first domino falls.

A lender may allow a structured repayment plan, but this means an even higher monthly payment for a set period of time. If you’re already struggling financially, it’s hard to honor the deal. Also, you must manage any increases to your escrow account payments relating to property taxes and homeowner’s insurance.

If you have a temporary income loss, calling your lender or mortgage servicer before you fall behind in your mortgage is the first step. Hardship programs vary by lender and mortgage type, but there may be options to avoid default. For example, you may be able to defer a payment, and have it added to the end of the term.

If you are facing a permanent income loss, and you cannot afford your mortgage payment, selling your home beats losing it to foreclosure.

If your home has negative equity, the lender may approve a short sale, and accept the current market value of the home to settle the outstanding mortgage balance. This can help you avoid a foreclosure on your credit report, and avoid the stress of the foreclosure process.

A mortgage company may allow a loan modification to make the payments more affordable. This can include a rate reduction, and/or an extension of the loan term. You must qualify for this option with a process that is similar to a loan application.

Cooperating with your mortgage lender, and remaining in contact with them, is important in all cases. Reaching out to housing agencies like Save the Dream Ohio can help!

Buy wisely with the help of an Exclusive Buyer Broker!

The best way to avoid a future risk of foreclosure, is to buy a home well within your means. Avoid “stretching” to obtain a more expensive home, even if your lender says you qualify. Consider too, that while your mortgage may have a fixed interest rate, expenses like property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and energy bills increase over time. Home repairs and maintenance costs should be budgeted as well.

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3 Steps for First-Time Home Buyers in Central Ohio

RealSupport — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:31:18 +0000

If you’re a first-time home buyer in Central Ohio, you might feel overwhelmed with the home buying process. Here are the first 3 steps critical to your home buying success!

1. Choose the agent who will represent you in the home buying process. This person will be entrusted with a great deal of information about you, your home buying motives, and your financial abilities. Naturally, you don’t want this information to be used against you, which can happen if you use a “dual agent” or the listing agent for the home seller.

Your agent will be at the center of the home buying process, and their knowledge, expertise and professional network will be essential along the way. Only an Exclusive Buyer Agent or Exclusive Buyer Broker works in your best interests as the home buyer, 100% of the time. Since Exclusive Buyer Agents and Brokers never hold real estate listings or represent sellers, there is no conflict of interests.

This enables Exclusive Buyer Agents and Brokers to tell you blunt truths about a home and its pricing, that a transactional “dual agent” won’t divulge!

Also, Exclusive Buyer Agents and Brokers offer protections in the home buying process that other agents wouldn’t typically include – because they are focusing on the best deal for sellers.

Get to know our Exclusive Buyer Agents and Brokers on our website! We serve the Columbus area and Central Ohio. If you are looking for a home in another area, you can obtain a referral to a local Exclusive Buyer Agent through the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents. (NAEBA.)

2. Get financially prepared for home buying and home ownership. Become educated about your credit history, and have your credit score in the best possible shape. The official website for free consumer credit reports is annualcreditreport.com. (Beware of copycat sites!) As an option, you can obtain your credit score at MyFico.com.

Two of the biggest hurdles in home buying involve debt levels and down payment savings.

Debt levels: If your credit score is good, but you are juggling several credit card payments and an installment loan, your debt-to-income ratio may be higher than what a lender prefers. Lenders look at your front-end DTI (your total debt payments before a new mortgage payment) and also the back-end DTI (your total debt payments including a mortgage payment.) This is why your credit card payments, car loan, student loan payments and other debt obligations can affect your ability to secure a mortgage, even if your credit score is basically good.

Down payment savings: There are mortgages that require minimal down payments of 3.5%, and mortgages that do not require a down payment at all. But having a down payment large enough to avoid, or at least minimize, Private Mortgage Insurance, (PMI) or a Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) can save you money.

When you make a larger down payment, you are buying a portion of your home outright. This is immediate equity. You have something to show for that money.

When you make a zero down payment, or smaller down payment, and have some form of mortgage insurance tacked on to your monthly payment, you are paying out money that doesn’t help you. Mortgage insurance protects the lender from losing money, if you default on the loan. It doesn’t give you anything.

Having a budget for home ownership is important too. Property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, HOA fees (if any) plus utility costs and maintenance are ongoing expenses. Think about how your monthly budget will look with all new housing costs considered.

3. Choose the mortgage that works best for you. If you are a veteran or active U.S. service member, a VA loan is hard to beat. For everyone else, your options may largely depend on your credit profile and financial strength. Still, there are choices to be made. Taking the time to compare fees, costs and rates – instead of jumping on the first financing offer – can save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

Your Exclusive Buyer Agent can refer you to trustworthy, local mortgage professionals who will explain all of your options. For more information about home financing and the entire purchase process, we highly recommend reading our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home like a Pro!” You can access it immediately from our website.

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