When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Ohio?

6 selling trends in Ohio

Motivated buyers are one trend that sellers should know about in Ohio. “Our market is getting so crazy that we’re seeing many creative things come through on offers,” says Moody. Some of the creative things you might see include buyers offering cash, waiving inspections, and paying a portion of fees.

An additional factor influencing selling trends in Ohio is the types of buyers.

“I am not seeing your typical first-time homebuyer. I am seeing people past thirty or forty who now want to get into a house,” says Wielgos. “Many first-time homebuyers I’m working with are competing with people who have purchased a home, built equity, and secured better financing.”

Business growth in Ohio is also contributing to the selling trends in the state. “It’s business-friendly and a good location,” says Moody. “The affordability factor is driving a lot of businesses here.”

Through our agent interviews and research, we compiled a list of six trends that can impact home sales and real estate transaction timing in Ohio:

1. Unlike some other states, the fall and winter are still good times to sell a house in Ohio. “Competition is lower in terms of properties on the market,” says Wielgos.
2. Work from home or hybrid work arrangements remain popular, so Ohio’s affordable housing prices attract buyers from more expensive states.
3. Like most places in the nation, people moving during the summer around the school year causes an influx of people into Ohio. The influx coincides and contributes to Wielgos’ observed “hypermarket” conditions.
4. When rent is high, buying a home might be an intelligent investment for Ohio college students. Ohio has several large universities across the state. Each summer provides a new crop of potential college students looking to buy a home.
5. Ohio sees a steady influx of people moving in and out. That means timing the best time to sell your home in Ohio is crucial. More people are moving into Ohio (40%) than leaving the state (22.40%) to be closer to family, according to the 2024 United Van Lines National Movers Study, which could help you decide how to stage your home for showings.
6. A variety of companies call Ohio home. For instance, Cincinnati has the second-biggest children’s hospital in the nation and consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble. Also, Nationwide Insurance’s global headquarters is in Columbus. Cardinal Health, the state’s highest revenue-generating company, calls Dublin home.

Insider tips to help sell your Ohio home

No matter what time of year you decide to sell, or need to sell, here are some tips from our expert agents that can help you with a fast sale or get top dollar for your Ohio home.

Ohio buyers shopping for homes care about:

• Entertainment spaces, either as part of the living room or as a separate space, are gaining popularity.
• Even if you don’t have one now, stage a home office area. At a minimum, you should show a space that could be used as an office.
• Finish your basement. “A finished basement is almost required to compete in the market,” says Wielgus. The basement might be a good spot for an entertainment space.
• Get rid of the gray paint and laminate flooring. “Slowly but surely, people are not impressed by those things they once were.”
• Market the home’s outdoor space. “Outdoor living is a perk or something that would set a home apart from others,” says Wielgos. “Landscaping can set apart a house from another.”
• Maintenance on the interior and exterior makes your home stand out in Ohio’s market.

If you see any objection, fix it, take care of it. Got a crack in your basement? Fill it. If you don’t, you will get lower and fewer offers.

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  Matt Wielgos Real Estate Agent

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  Matt Wielgos Real Estate Agent at Plum Tree Realty

  Currently accepting new clients

  • Years of Experience 10
  • Transactions 76
  • Average Price Point $187k
  • Single Family Homes 63

Answers to other Ohio home-selling questions

Are homes in Ohio appreciating faster or slower than in other states?

Ohio homes appreciated 7.6% compared to last year, which is higher than the national average of 4.8%.

With trends showing nearly equal amounts of people moving out and into Ohio, the number of homes available to potential buyers is not that high. “We have an extreme lack of inventory in the nation, especially in Columbus,” says Moody. “There’s always going to be a demand for housing in Central Ohio because it’s affordable.”

See what your home might be worth using HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. Our free tool uses transaction data from multiple sources to create a real-time ballpark value estimate based on current market trends.

What if I need a fast sale and closing in Ohio?

If you’re facing a life change that requires a fast home sale or don’t have the time or money to make needed repairs, consider requesting an all-cash offer using HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. Simple Sale provides cash offers for homes in almost any condition in Ohio.

You can skip the repairs and showings and close in as few as ten days. Complete a short questionnaire and receive a no-obligation cash offer within 48 hours.

What is the biggest mistake sellers make when selling a home in Ohio?

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make when selling a home in Ohio is to ignore minor problems with the house. “If you see any objection, fix it, take care of it,” says Wielgos. “Got a crack in your basement? Fill it. If you don’t, you will get lower and fewer offers.”

Cosmetic appeal matters when you attempt to sell your home. The market in Ohio makes some sellers think, “I’d rather not clean up or paint any walls,” says Moody. “You’re not going to bring in any traction.”

Find a top agent in Ohio for a successful home sale

Selling your home while the market is hot is the best time to sell your house in Ohio. The market heats up in late spring and early summer, the best times to sell your home for the most money or the fastest.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when selling your home in Ohio:

• The hyperactive market begins in April
• The school year influences buying trends
• Ohio is a seller’s market
• A finished basement might seal the deal for you

Now you know the best times to sell your Ohio home. One more question you might ask is, what’s the best way to sell? Our data shows that the top 5% of real estate agents across the U.S. sell homes faster and for as much as 10% more than the average agent.

Partner with a top Ohio agent using HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform. Our matching service tool analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.

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