Quick answer
In September 2026, Central Ohio’s housing market moved toward buyers. Inventory rose 12.3% year over year to 6,530 homes and the median sale price rose 2.8% to $334,250. Homes took a median of 33 days to sell, up from 30. At 2.6 months of supply it’s still a seller-leaning market, but sellers who overprice are being forced to cut.
September 2026 at a glance
| Metric | September 2026 | vs. September 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Closed sales | 2,550 | down 5.7% |
| Homes under contract | 2,448 | down 12.7% |
| Median sale price | $334,250 | up 2.8% |
| Average sale price | $385,013 | up 4.5% |
| Homes for sale (inventory) | 6,530 | up 12.3% |
| New listings | 3,316 | up 2.3% |
| Median days on market | 33 | up from 30 |
| Months of supply | 2.6 | up from 2.3 |
Year to date, 22,578 homes have sold in Central Ohio (up 1.3%), and the year-to-date median price is $340,000 (up 3.3%).
Source: Columbus REALTORS® and Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS, September 2026 housing report, released October 14, 2026.
What this means if you’re buying
- You have more choice. There are about 700 more homes for sale than a year ago, and new listings are still coming.
- You have room to negotiate. Sellers got 98.8% of their final list price but only 96.3% of their original list price. In other words, a lot of homes are getting price cuts before they sell. A home that has already been reduced is often the best opportunity.
- Rates are what’s driving this. Contracts dropped 12.7% as mortgage rates rose through September. If rates ease, the buyers who paused will come back at the same time. Getting pre-approved now lets you move before that happens.
What this means if you’re selling
- Price it right the first time. The gap between 96.3% of original list and 98.8% of final list is the cost of starting too high. An overpriced home sits, gets cut, and still sells for less.
- Preparation matters more. You’re competing with 6,500 other homes. Condition, photos and the first week on market carry more weight than they did in 2022.
- You still have the edge. A balanced market is usually 5 to 6 months of supply. At 2.6 months, a well-priced home in good condition still sells.
Frequently asked questions
Are Columbus home prices dropping?
No. The median sale price rose 2.8% in September and is up 3.3% for the year. What’s changing is the pace of sales and how much leverage buyers have, not home values.
Is Columbus a buyer’s market or a seller’s market right now?
Still a seller-leaning market, with 2.6 months of supply, but it’s moving toward balance as inventory grows.
How long does it take to sell a house in Columbus?
The median home in Central Ohio sold in 33 days in September 2026, three days longer than a year earlier.
Talk to The Shannon Group
The Shannon Group is a Columbus real estate team, brokered by Fiv Realty, helping buyers and sellers across Central Ohio, including Columbus, Bexley, Dublin, Gahanna, Granville, Grove City, Hilliard, New Albany, Pataskala, Pickerington, Powell, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Westerville and Worthington. To get a pricing check on your home, use our free home valuation or contact us.
