Week Ending Friday, January 23, 2026
Teresa Butler | Worthington Realty
If you’re wondering what’s really happening in real estate right now, this week’s story is simple:
Mortgage rates are holding in the low 6% range, buyer demand is still present, and the market continues to reward smart pricing and good strategy — not wishful thinking.
Below is what stood out nationally this week, along with what it means locally here in Central Ohio.
Housing affordability made headlines this week after President Trump addressed housing at the World Economic Forum in Davos, referencing an Executive Order aimed at restricting large institutional investors from buying single-family homes.
While this sounds dramatic, it’s not a full ban, and it may not move the needle as much as some think. Large investors are estimated to own only about 2–3% of U.S. single-family homes, so the real issue remains the same:
✅ We need more homes built.
My take:
Policies come and go, but supply is still the long-term problem. Until more housing is built, affordability challenges won’t disappear.
The National Association of Realtors reported that pending home sales dropped 9.5% month-over-month in December.
That number raises eyebrows because it doesn’t match what many agents are seeing in real time. Mortgage rates stayed below roughly 6.25% through December, and buyer activity has been improving in many markets.
This decline could be:
a reporting lag,
seasonal distortion,
or a data issue that gets corrected with stronger January numbers.
Source: NAR
Mortgage rates stayed relatively stable this week, hovering in the low 6% range.
A few things influenced the rate environment:
U.S. 10-Year Treasury yields moved above 4.25%
Global bond market pressure (including Japan)
Ongoing concerns about tariffs and international issues
But despite the noise, the big takeaway is this:
✅ Rates moved slightly, but didn’t spike, and buyers are still adjusting to the “new normal.”
Also important: the Federal Reserve is not expected to cut or raise short-term interest rates at their January 28 meeting, which supports a steadier rate environment near-term.
Source: Freddie Mac PMMS
Real estate is always local — and here’s what this national news looks like on the ground in Central Ohio right now:
Buyers are active — especially those who have been waiting for rates to settle. But they’re also more selective than the “frenzy market” years.
Today’s buyers want:
✅ good condition
✅ realistic pricing
✅ fewer surprises
Homes that feel dated, overpriced, or poorly presented are sitting longer — and buyers aren’t afraid to walk away.
Central Ohio inventory remains tight, especially in the most in-demand categories:
move-in ready homes
good locations / school districts
homes priced under $400,000–$450,000
We’re still seeing the usual early-year pattern: fewer new listings, less choice, and stronger competition on the best homes.
This is not a market where you toss out a high price and hope it sticks.
The homes that sell are:
✅ priced correctly from day one
✅ professionally presented
✅ marketed well
Overpriced homes? They don’t necessarily “crash,” but they do sit — and sitting creates doubt.
The market is still rewarding sellers — if the home is positioned correctly.
To get top results:
pricing has to match the current market (not 2022 headlines)
presentation matters more than ever
buyers still pay up for “clean + updated + ready”
If you’re buying, this is a market where preparation matters:
get your financing lined up early
be ready to move fast on the right home
don’t overreact to headlines — focus on your payment and your needs
Rates aren’t perfect, but stability is giving buyers more confidence than we’ve seen in a while.
Even with headlines and mixed data, the overall picture remains steady:
✅ Mortgage rates are holding in the low 6% range
✅ Demand is still present
✅ Central Ohio remains resilient
✅ Smart pricing and strategy win every time
If you’d like to know what your home could sell for in today’s market — or what you can realistically expect as a buyer this season — I’m happy to help.
Teresa Butler | Worthington Realty
📞 614-565-8161
📧 teresa@teresabutler.com