By Sheila Howell, Central Ohio Realtor

If you’ve been watching the housing headlines, you know 2025 has been anything but boring. After months of rising inventory, the Central Ohio real estate market is finally looking more balanced. And for the first time in years, both buyers and sellers have leverage — but in different ways.

Based on the latest data from the National Association of Realtors, Realtor.com, and other trusted housing market sources, here’s your mid-year guide to what’s happening in both the National and Central Ohio housing market — and how to make the most of it, whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, rightsizing or downsizing.

National Housing Market Highlights (as of July 2025)

• Home Prices Are Still Rising — But Slowly
  Nationwide, the median existing-home price reached $422,800 in May 2025 — the highest ever for that month — but year-over-year growth has cooled to 1.3%.

• Inventory Is Growing
  Active listings are up 31.5% compared to mid-2024, giving buyers more choices. However, inventory is still 14% below pre-pandemic levels, keeping prices firm in many markets.

• Mortgage Rates Have Eased Slightly
  The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is averaging 6.74%, giving buyers an extra $8,000–$10,000 in purchasing power on a $350K loan compared to earlier this year.

• Negotiations Are Back
  About 21% of listings are seeing price cuts, and only 31% of homes are selling above list price — a big shift from the bidding wars of 2021-2022.

• Homes Are Taking Longer to Sell
  The typical listing now spends 53 days on the market, similar to 2019.

📊 Quick Central Ohio Market Stats – July 2025
Source: Columbus REALTORS® MLS & local market reports

• Median Sale Price (Franklin County): $344,950 (up 4.53% year-over-year)

• Active Listings: Up 21% compared to July 2024

• Average Days on Market: 29 days (up from 7 days last year)

• Sold to List Ratio: 97.4%

• Months of Inventory: 2.36 up from 1.79 in January

💡 What This Means for You: Buyers now have more breathing room, and sellers still have leverage — but only if homes are priced and presented right from the start.

What This Means for Central Ohio Buyers

If you’re looking for homes for sale in Central Ohio, now’s your chance to shop with more options and less competition. Sellers are more willing to offer:

• Closing cost credits

• Repairs after inspection

• Seller-funded mortgage rate buydowns

For my clients — especially empty nesters considering downsizing in Central Ohio — this shift is a huge win. You can take your time, negotiate for the updates you want, and still get into a community with the amenities you love.

What This Means for Central Ohio Sellers

The good news? You still have the upper hand if you price your home right. The bad news? Overpricing can quickly put you in the “price cut” category.

If you’re selling a home in Central Ohio in 2025:

• Stage your home to make the best first impression

• Price competitively from day one

• Work with a Central Ohio Realtor who understands local trends and buyer behavior - one with proven marketing that will get your home in front of sellers and an expert negotiator.

Opportunities in the Second Half of 2025

• For Buyers: If you can afford today’s mortgage payment and find a home that fits your needs, lock it in now. You can always refinance later if rates drop.

• For Sellers: You can still get strong offers, but strategy matters more than ever — from marketing to pricing to negotiation.

Your Next Step

We’re in one of the most balanced Central Ohio housing markets in years. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious about your Central Ohio home value, the smartest move you can make is to work with a local expert who can guide you through every step.

📲 Call or text me, Sheila Howell, at 740-809-2433 or visit RealtorSheilaHowell.com to start planning your next chapter.