Central Ohio Market Brief

Mortgage Rates

• Average 30-year fixed mortgage: 6.00% (up from 5.98% the week before)
• Average 15-year fixed mortgage: 5.43% (down slightly from 5.44%)

Inventory and Listings

• Total inventory: 4,164 homes (up 7.2% from 3,886 last year)
• New listings: 2,226 in January (up 0.4% from a year ago)
• Pending sales: 2,152 (up 5.5% year over year)

Market Insights

• Total home sales: 1,504 in January (essentially flat from 1,506 a year earlier)
• Median sales price: $319,000 to $319,900 (up 6.3% to 6.7% year over year)

Local Market Trends

• Columbus REALTORS®: Median sale price: $289,900 (up 7.4% year over year)
• Columbus: Number of homes sold: 522 (down from 561 a year earlier)

Industry Changes

• FinCEN’s new Residential Real Estate Rule took effect March 1, 2026
• Ohio’s new Fair Housing Disclosure requirement under HB 315 takes effect April 3, 2026

Buyer Considerations

The market is better than a couple years ago, but it is not a clearance sale. More inventory means more choices and a bit more leverage, especially on homes that have been sitting. Well-priced, move-in-ready homes in strong Central Ohio school districts can still draw quick interest, but homes that are overpriced or dated are more likely to sit and negotiate.

Seller Considerations

The lesson is simple: price for today, not for your favorite memory of 2021. Inventory is rising, buyers have options, and homes are taking longer to sell. The sellers winning right now are the ones who prepare the property well, price it correctly from day one, and market it hard online.