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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.

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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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.

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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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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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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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!

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Columbus Home Inventory Climbs as 2025 Winds Down

RealSupport — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 07:22:48 +0000

Improved home inventory has been the Columbus area real estate story for 2025! That trend continues with the latest home sales data from Columbus REALTORS©. Here is a summary of November’s market reports, along with our thoughts!

The number of homes for sale in the Columbus Metro was 19.5% higher in November 2025 than November 2024. However, this is primarily due to homes spending more time on the market as new listings trickle in. For example, homes took an average of 40 days to go under contract during November, compared to about 28 days in November 2024.

The percentage of new listings coming to market increased marginally, rising 0.6% compared to last year.

On a year-over-year basis, home prices increased in November, reaching a median of $325,000 compared to $315,000 in November 2024. On a month-to-month basis, median home prices remained flat from October 2025 to November 2025.

On average, sellers are getting about 95% of their original asking price. Overall, this data does not suggest any significant slowdown in the market. Yet there is a particular statistic that bears watching: the number of homes under contract. This is down about 6% compared to November 2024.

The lengthening days on market, combined with lower contract activity, suggests that the Columbus real estate market is slowing as we end 2025. But we have yet to see home prices heading lower; in fact, asking prices are 5% higher than they were a year ago. Home inventory still remains below normal, and this is supporting home prices.

As the New Year gets underway, we have a real estate market approaching balance with gradual increases in home inventory, followed by lengthening days on market. In other words, 2026 could look much like 2025 for Columbus area home buyers! The wild card rests in mortgage interest rates. If we see a meaningful drop in borrowing costs in the year ahead, market activity will pick up steam.

If you’re planning to buy a home in 2026, prepare for success with our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home Like a Pro!” Download it today from our website, without any 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, always getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest.

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Winter Offers Advantages for Columbus Area Home Buyers

RealSupport — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:14:43 +0000

The weather outside is frightful, but winter home buying can be delightful! Here’s why Columbus area buyers should continue their home search during winter.

1. Less competition from other home buyers improves your negotiating power. With fewer buyers in the market during cold weather, sellers are more likely to negotiate on price, repairs and/or closing costs.

2. Motivated sellers need to move on! Sellers who have homes on the market during winter aren’t testing the waters; they need to sell. This gives buyers more clout in purchase negotiations.

3. Asking prices are less ambitious. Home prices in the Columbus area are typically lower during the winter months, because sellers are motivated, and they hope to attract serious buyers as quickly as possible.

4. Mortgage lenders, title companies, home inspectors and appraisers are less busy during winter. This means faster turnaround times and fewer chances of closing delays.

5. Homes take a little longer to sell during winter, reducing pressure on home buyers. (However, the nicest homes with the best prices sell first – always be prepared to make an offer!)

6. You will see how homes handle winter conditions. For example, are there large icicles hanging from the roof? Do some rooms feel colder than others? Are there any obvious drafts? Are all the heat vents working?

7. You will see how neighborhoods handle winter conditions! Are the sidewalks and streets reasonably clear after a snowfall? What are the street parking regulations? Is there sufficient winter parking to accommodate visitors for the holidays?

We hope this has given you inspiration for your winter home search! Whenever you are ready to explore the home buying process, we are here to help you.

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Finding a Starter Home in Central Ohio: Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

RealSupport — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 22:57:13 +0000

Starter homes are an entry point in the market for first-time home buyers. The ideal Central Ohio starter home should be affordable, practical, well-built, well-maintained, and be located in an area with access to public amenities and daily necessities. When you choose your starter home wisely, it should appreciate in value over time. This helps you build equity, and gives you the chance to “trade up” to a larger or newer home in the future!

Starter homes are being rediscovered by today’s first-time buyers, after years of buyers purchasing large, newer homes right out of the gate. But the days of 3% interest rates are over, and years of rising home prices have put starter homes back in discussion. Here are tips for finding a good starter home in Central Ohio!

Look for a home that is:

Smaller in size (often 2–3 bedrooms)

Priced lower than the broader market average

Located in an established, stable neighborhood with local amenities – grocery stores, medical services, parks, good schools, etc.

Located on a street that is not too busy or noisy

Older, but well-built and maintained. No problems with the foundation, mechanical systems, etc. Be sure to write your offer with home inspection contingencies, and if condition issues are found, call in a contractor for estimates. How you write your offer is extremely important; see our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home like a Pro,” for examples!

Needs some updating, but doesn’t require immediate, big-ticket repairs. This is in the eye of the beholder. If you are willing to replace the roof, or install new windows, consider your budget and the return on investment when looking at a diamond in the rough. (Make sure it’s a diamond, first!)

Note: lead-based paint wasn’t abolished until about 1978. Homes that were built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and the older the home is, the more likely it has it. Lead plumbing pipes are also a concern. When you are considering an unrenovated, pre-1980 home, use contingencies to cover any specific testing or specialized inspections.

This is a broad guideline. For expert guidance and unbiased home buying advice, turn to 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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Central Ohio Homes Offer Value for Buyers

RealSupport — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 21:11:24 +0000

Quick! Name somewhere in the USA where you can buy a quality home under $400,000 in a major metropolitan area with ample job opportunities, including a growing tech sector. If you said Central Ohio, you’d be right! The latest data from Columbus REALTORS© shows that while home prices in Central Ohio are rising, our market continues to offer better value than many other locations in the country.

The newest statistics show that the national median home price stood at $415,200 as of October 2025. The median home price in Central Ohio was $325,000, reflecting a 3.2% increase on a year-over-year basis. Here’s a snapshot of some of the most active, and affordable, real estate markets in Central Ohio:

Hilliard City School District: median home price $387,000

Grove City South-Western City School District: median home price $306,000

Further from Columbus, the communities of Lancaster, Newark and Marion are being discovered by home buyers. As of October 2025, the median home sale prices in these markets ranged from $182,500 to $265,000.

The pace of Central Ohio home sales has slowed somewhat, with homes spending an average of 34 days on the market before going under contract. A year ago, homes spent an average of 28 days on the market. The slight slowdown in sales pace is due to the expansion of home inventory, which has improved throughout 2025.

Home inventory is measured by the time it would take for buyers to purchase everything that is currently available on the market, assuming no new listings popped up. Inventory stood at 2.4 months of supply in October 2025. In other words, even though new listings grew by 9% on a year-over-year basis, the pace of sales didn’t slow that much. This speaks to the healthy home demand in Central Ohio, and the need for home buyers to have their own expert representation in the market!

You will achieve the best home buying value with the help of an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker! Learn how with our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home Like a Pro!” Download it today from our website, without any obligation.

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