The New Prime Time in Ohio’s Real Estate Market: Why Fall Is Generating Buzz

Here’s why your bargain-hunting home buyers may want to take notice.

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey

The week of Oct. 12-18 could be the sweet spot Ohio home buyers have been waiting for. A recent realtor.com study shows this week, in particular, is the most likely to combine more homes on the market, lower prices and less competition—creating a rare window of opportunity for buyers.

“I expect this market momentum shift to magnify typical seasonal trends that favor home buyers in the fall,” says Danielle Hale, realtor.com’s chief economist. Buyers nationwide could save more than $15,000 on a median-priced home compared to summer peaks—Ohio buyers may see even bigger advantages.

How Ohio Stacks Up

During the week of Oct. 12-18, here’s what Ohioans can expect, according to the realtor.com study:

• Cincinnati

Active listings vs. averages: +21.4%

Median prices vs. seasonal peak: -10.7%

New listings vs average: +0.9%

Price reductions vs. average: +1.7%

• Cleveland

Active listings vs. averages: +19.3%

Median prices vs. seasonal peak: -8.8%

New listings vs. average: +7.2%

Price reductions vs. average: +1.8%

• Columbus

Active listings vs. averages: +27.3%

Median prices vs. seasonal peak: -10.3%

New listings vs. average: +4%

Price reductions vs. average: +2.5%

Compared with the U.S. averages, the week of Oct. 12-18, offers active listings likely that will be up 14.7%, median prices that likely will be down 3.4%, new listings that are down 3.9%, and price reductions that could be up 1.1%. Ohio buyers are likely to fare even better than national trends, seeing even more options and deeper price drops, which could make this fall an especially attractive time to shop locally.

Here are six reasons Ohio buyers may want to take action this season:

1) More options to choose from

Inventory is climbing to its highest level since the pandemic. During Oct. 12-18, buyers in Ohio cities like Columbus and Cincinnati could see up to 27% more active listings than earlier in the year.

Hale notes the national trend of more homes for-sale and how “this increase is giving buyers something they haven’t had in years: breathing room. More choices mean less pressure to rush into a decision or waive contingencies.”

2) Prices dip below the peak

Mid-October listing prices are well below summer highs, with median prices dropping 8-11% across Ohio metros. Buyers in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus could save thousands compared with peak-season pricing.

3) A higher likelihood of discounts

Price reductions in Ohio are trending slightly above the national average. About 1.7–2.5% of homes are expected to see discounts the week of Oct. 12-18, and even more could emerge as sellers adjust to fall market conditions.

4) Less buyer competition

With affordability challenges and mortgage rates weighing on demand, Ohio buyers may face fewer competing offers than during the summer rush, giving them room to negotiate.

5) More time to decide

Homes are staying on the market longer, giving buyers extra time to consider options. However, even with slower sales, some properties remain highly competitive—highlighting the importance of acting when the right home appears.

6) Fresh listings keep coming

Mid-October often brings a wave of new homes entering the market—Ohio buyers may see 4-7% more new listings compared to earlier in the season, increasing the chance of finding a perfect fit.

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