In August 2026, only 23% of homes in Delaware County, OH sold above list price—a drop of 6.6 percentage points from last year. This shift gives buyers more room to negotiate and less pressure to bid over asking. If you’re looking to buy, the market is offering more opportunities to secure a deal below list price.
Delaware County, OH saw a 4.4% year-over-year increase in median sale price in August 2026, with median list prices up an even stronger 11.8%. Sellers are benefiting from these rising values, making it a great time to consider listing your home. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, this upward trend could work in your favor.
Late-Q3 mortgage rates moved near 7% after a quarter-point central bank hike to ~4%, making refinances tougher for homeowners who locked lower first mortgages earlier.
Application activity reflected that shift: refinance requests ↓~9% in the prior week, purchase requests ↓~1%, total demand ↓~4%, and refis were ~39% of applications.
Over the 3 mo through Mid-Q3 2026, one inquiry index showed refis at ~2%, down from ~39% yearly, while home-equity products reached ~76%.
Equity demand kept building: Mid-Q3 inquiry volume ran ↑~11% MoM and >150% yearly, while 30-yr lender gaps exceeded 1 point, or ~$333 monthly on $400K.
Late-Q3 also brought softer builder sentiment, with the index at its lowest since 2025, while the 10-yr Treasury topped ~5%, keeping mortgage swings in focus.
In Late-Q3, a builder-confidence index fell 3 points to 32. Current sales conditions slipped to 35, while six-mo sales expectations dropped to 37.
Prospective buyer traffic held at 23. Meanwhile, 38% of builders nationwide cut prices, and two-thirds used incentives, up from 63% in Mid-Q3.
Mortgage applications for new-home purchases declined for a fifth straight mo in Mid-Q3 as avg. 30-yr rates hovered in the high-6% range.
Large builders kept leaning on builder-paid rate buydowns, helping buyers secure below-market mortgages and supporting sales without relying solely on broader new-home price cuts.
With 30-yr rates near 7% in Late-Q3, two housing forecasters expected them to stay in the high-6% range or higher through 2027.
National active inventory reached 1.14M by Mid-Q3 2026, ↑~4% yearly from 1.1M, showing supply kept growing, though far slower than the prior year's pace.
That yearly gain had cooled sharply from ~21% a year earlier, even after improving from a ~2% growth low point in Late-Q2.
By the end of Mid-Q3 2026, 18 states and DC were back above pre-pandemic 2019 active inventory levels, even as national supply stayed below.
National supply still trailed Mid-Q3 2019 by ↓~8%, with 1.14M active listings versus 1.24M, showing the US had not fully rebuilt inventory.
The post-boom softening burst has eased nationally, leaving a soft market and flat yearly prices, while higher yields and mortgage rates could test momentum.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates, recognizes, and honors the beautiful traditions and cultures of the Indigenous People
We take a stand for and support the indigenous people on this day.
We should also offer our support to those who invest and uplift the indigenous communities.
August’s existing-home sales data tells an interesting story for anyone tracking the Central Ohio market: sales dipped by 2.0% from July and 1.2% year-over-year, landing at 3.98 million—the lowest since June 2025. Yet, inventory actually saw a 3.2% increase, reaching 1.62 million units, and the median price edged up 1.6% to $429,100. This uptick in inventory, alongside moderate price growth, can open new doors for buyers and investors, even as overall sales slow. For those considering their next move—whether it’s a first home, a new-build, or an investment property—understanding these shifts is essential for making confident decisions. I’m always focused on helping clients interpret trends like these, so you can navigate the evolving landscape with clarity and a strategy tailored to your goals.
August brought continued strength to the Northwest Ohio housing market, with single-family home sales on the rise and total sales value surpassing $1.4 billion—a notable 11% increase. The median price also moved up nearly 6% to $215,000. What stands out is how demand remains steady, even as supply stays tight and more new listings come online. I always keep a close eye on these trends across Ohio, as they reflect broader shifts that can impact buyers and sellers here in Columbus and Central Ohio. Whether you're considering your first home, exploring new construction, or weighing an investment, understanding these patterns is key to making confident moves. My focus is always on guiding clients with transparency and a strategy tailored to their goals—so you can navigate the market with clarity, whatever the numbers say.
Ohio’s real estate landscape continues to surprise, with home prices climbing steadily—even as higher mortgage rates have slowed the pace of growth. In several Ohio cities, we’re seeing year-over-year price jumps exceeding $149,000, and some home values are approaching $1.77 million. What’s fueling these numbers? Persistent demand and limited inventory are at the core, making the market especially competitive for buyers and investors alike.
In my work across Columbus and Central Ohio, I see firsthand how these market forces shape decisions for buyers, builders, and investors. Whether you’re considering a new build, resale, or searching for the right investment property, understanding these trends is key to making confident, informed moves. As always, I’m committed to helping clients navigate this fast-evolving landscape with clarity and transparency—so you’re always positioned for long-term value.
In today’s dynamic market, we’re seeing seller concessions reach new highs—about 45% of US home sales in the latest rolling 3-month period ending mid-Q3 involved some form of seller help, the highest mid-Q3 share since at least 2020. That’s up from roughly 43% a year ago, and it’s a sign that buyers are gaining added leverage as inventory builds and competition softens. For those navigating Columbus and Central Ohio, this shift means you might see more flexibility in negotiations, not just on price but also through concessions like repair credits, closing cost assistance, or mortgage-rate buydowns. In fact, about 16% of homes nationwide paired a price reduction with a concession in mid-Q3, offering creative ways to lower your upfront costs.
As someone who works closely with buyers, sellers, and builders across our region, I’m seeing these trends play out firsthand. My approach is always to clarify your options and help you strategize—whether you’re entering the market for the first time, moving up, or evaluating investment opportunities. This evolving negotiation landscape can be a real advantage when you have the right guidance on your side.
