Here’s the straight-talk real-estate outlook for Central Ohio in 2026 — no fluff, just the practical market reality you’d expect from someone who’s been in the trenches:

📈 Home Prices

• Prices are expected to keep rising modestly, not plummeting or spiking like pandemic years. Most forecasts say low single-digit gains in 2026 — think around 3-4% regionally and nationally versus year-ago levels. ritaboswellgroup.com+1

• Central Ohio continues to be a stable Midwest market; recent data shows year-over-year price growth around ~3% in late 2025. LinkedIn

📉 Sales Activity

• Existing home sales should edge up overall as mortgage rates ease a bit and inventory slowly improves. National forecasts project some increase in sales, though still below what we saw pre-pandemic. Realtor

• Local predictions vary: some data suggest a slight dip in sales locally even as values rise — meaning fewer deals but prices remain sticky. 10TV

📊 Inventory & Market Balance

• Inventory in the Columbus/central Ohio market has been climbing, with listings up nearly 20% year-over-year — buyers finally have a few more choices. Columbus Realtors

• Homes are staying on market longer (increasing days on market), signaling a slow shift toward a more balanced market rather than a full buyer’s market yet. Columbus Realtors

💸 Mortgage Rates

• Experts expect rates to stay in the mid-6% range through much of 2026 — not plunging to the ultra-low historical levels, but easing a touch from recent highs. ritaboswellgroup.com+1

• That still means affordability is tight, with monthly payments a real consideration for buyers versus just sales price. New York Post

🧭 Affordability & Demand

• Affordability continues to be a challenge in Columbus, with price gains and high mortgage costs squeezing buyers. CRE Daily

• However, stabilizing inventory and slightly better rate conditions can help buyers who are priced out now find opportunities next year. Realtor

🏘 What This Means for 2026

For Sellers:

• Expect steady demand and price gains, but don’t plan on bidding-war dynamics like 2020–21. Homes will sell — just not overnight in most cases.

For Buyers:

• More inventory means more choices and less pressure than the tight market of the past few years. Locking in a home now rather than waiting for dramatically lower rates may save money overall, since prices are still going up. Vutech-Ruff

For Investors:

• Central Ohio remains relatively healthy and stable versus national extremes. Modest appreciation, growing inventory, and steady job/economic fundamentals make it appealing for long-haul holdings.

Bottom line: 2026 looks like normalized growth — steady price appreciation, slow sales growth, easing inventory pressures, and no dramatic crash or boom on the horizon. It’s a practical, balanced market rather than a frothy one. Realtor