Yes, It’s Freezing — And That’s Exactly Why It’s a Great Time to House Hunt in Central Ohio
Winter in Central Ohio may be cold—but it’s also a quieter moment to explore what’s available before spring competition heats up.
Let’s get this out of the way: it’s cold. Really, really cold. Snow boots, gloves, icy driveways, gusty winds - the whole thing.
But if you can bundle up and look past winter weather, right now can be a surprisingly smart time to buy a home in Central Ohio. The reason has less to do with temperature and more to do with timing.
As we head toward the early spring market, inventory is building… but competition hasn’t caught up yet.
The Early-Spring Market Is Already Taking Shape
Many buyers wait until warmer weather to start house hunting. Sellers, however, don’t always wait that long to list.
Across Central Ohio, new listings are starting to appear, while buyer activity remains lighter than it will be in March and April. That combination means:
More options to choose from
Less pressure at showings
More time to evaluate homes thoughtfully
But the real opportunity shows up when you look at how long homes have already been sitting on the market.
Why Homes That Linger Can Work in a Buyer’s Favor
Homes that were listed during the holidays (or even earlier) are now competing with newer listings. Many of those sellers have already adjusted expectations and are more open to conversations about price, terms, or timing.
That doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with these homes. Often, it simply means they were listed during a slower season. Now, they’re facing fresh competition.
And that’s where winter buyers can find leverage.
What the Current Data Shows in Key Central Ohio Communities
Data reflects active and coming-soon residential listings as of 1/20/2026. Source: Columbus MLS.
Here’s a quick look at how long homes have been on the market across several Central Ohio communities we know especially well.
A Closer Look at Days on Market
To make this easier to digest at a glance, we’ve visualized the days-on-market breakdown in this chart.
What stands out immediately is the size of the 29+ day category across many communities. In several areas, a large majority of available homes have been on the market for more than a month.
For buyers, that often means:
Sellers may be more flexible than they were earlier in the season
Negotiation is more realistic - especially compared to spring
There’s time to ask smart questions and evaluate options
Not every lingering home is an opportunity, but many deserve a closer look.
This Isn’t Just a One-Neighborhood Story
While we’ve highlighted Dublin, Powell, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Clintonville, and Worthington, this pattern isn’t limited to these areas. Across Central Ohio, we’re seeing the same early-spring setup:
Inventory is growing
Some homes are sitting longer
Buyer competition hasn’t fully returned
Historically, once warmer weather arrives, these dynamics shift quickly.
Why Strategy Matters (Especially in Winter)
Winter house hunting isn’t about chasing every listing. It’s about understanding:
Which homes are priced competitively
Where seller motivation actually exists
How timing and structure can matter as much as price
That kind of insight comes from knowing these neighborhoods (and their seasonal patterns) well.
Ready to Bundle Up and Take a Look?
If you’ve been thinking about buying, this might be a moment worth paying attention to. Winter isn’t for every buyer. But for the right one, it can offer choices and leverage that disappear once spring is in full swing.
Let’s connect.
Kenney & Co. Group at KW Consultants Realty
Local Roots. Smart Moves. Lasting Wealth.
📍 Based in Central Ohio | Helping Buyers, Sellers, and Investors
Teresa 📞 614-975-8370 📧 teresakenney@kw.com
Sheila 📞 614-565-7044 📧 sheilagibbons@kw.com
Liz 📞 614-517-2268 📧 lizkoehler@kw.com
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