Central Ohio Real Estate Market Brief

National Real Estate Update

• Existing-home sales: 3.91 million (annualized), down 8.4% month-over-month and 4.4% year-over-year
• Houses are sitting 8 days longer than last year
• Median listing prices: Down 2.4% year-over-year

Jobs Report & Mortgage Rates

• 130,000 jobs added in January 2026, unemployment fell to 4.3%
• Major downward revisions to 2025 job totals (lowest annual job growth since 2003)
• Mortgage rates held steady in the low 6% range, and expectations for Fed rate cuts in March or April have faded

Ohio Market Snapshot

• Sales: Down 6.8% year-over-year (earlier February data)
• Average Price: $284,191, up 6.4%
• 12 of 14 major markets still showing price growth
• Demand remains steady, but buyers are more selective
• Sellers no longer get a free pass for overpricing

Central Ohio Market Update

• Closed Sales: 1,504 (virtually flat year-over-year)
• Pending Sales: Up 5.5% (despite winter storms)
• Inventory: 4,164 homes (up 7.2%)
• Months of Supply: 1.7 months
• Median Sale Price: $319,900, up 6.7%
• Days on Market: 48 days (up 11.6%)

Policy & Market Factors

• A short government shutdown added uncertainty
• A major winter storm slowed activity nationally
• A new executive order targeting large institutional investors purchasing single-family homes could reshape inventory dynamics if implemented aggressively
• If investor activity slows, that could mean less competition for individual buyers—especially in entry-level price ranges

Strategy Corner

• More inventory means more negotiating power
• Inspections and contingencies are back on the table
• Lock strategically if you qualify—waiting for 4% rates isn’t realistic
• Watch well-priced homes in strong suburbs—they still move quickly