Is Now a Good Time to Buy in Central Ohio? Here's What the Data Says

By reEquity Group | Keller Williams Capital Partners | June 2026

Everyone has an opinion about when to buy a home. Your coworker says wait for rates to drop. Your neighbor says prices are too high. Your dad says the market is about to crash.

Here's the thing: none of them have looked at the data. We have.

What the Central Ohio Market Is Telling Us Right Now

The Columbus metro remains one of the most resilient real estate markets in the country. With a diverse economy anchored by The Ohio State University, Nationwide Insurance, OhioHealth, and a growing tech corridor, demand for housing isn't going away anytime soon.

Inventory is tight. As of spring 2026, active listings remain below historical norms, meaning well-priced homes are still moving quickly — often with multiple offers. That's not a buyer's market, but it's also not the frenzy of 2021. It's a balanced-to-competitive market where prepared buyers can win.

What About Interest Rates?

Rates have fluctuated over the past 18 months, and yes — they're higher than the historic lows of 2020–2021. But here's the perspective most people miss: waiting for rates to fall means competing with thousands of other buyers who were also waiting. When rates dropped even a half-point in early 2026, multiple-offer situations spiked within weeks.

If you buy now and rates come down, you can refinance. If you wait and prices continue to rise, you can't un-pay the higher purchase price.

The Cost of Waiting

In a market where median prices are up over 8% year over year, waiting 12 months to buy a $350,000 home could cost you $28,000 in appreciation. That's money out of your pocket — and into the pocket of the seller you eventually buy from anyway.

So, Is Now a Good Time?

If you're financially ready, planning to stay for at least 3–5 years, and working with an agent who knows how to navigate a competitive market — yes. Now is a good time.

The best time to buy wasn't yesterday. It's when you're ready and working with the right team.

Ready to talk through your options? Reach out to the reEquity Group team today.