October 2026 Central Ohio Housing Market Update

October brought a mixed set of signals to the Central Ohio housing market. The median sale price increased from a year ago, while closed sales and homes in contracts were lower. At the same time, inventory rose, giving buyers more homes to consider.

The figures below come from the Columbus REALTORS® Local Market Update for the Entire MLS, which includes eight counties in full and portions of 12 others. The report is based on residential listing data and was current as of November 9, 2026.

What changed in October?

There were 2,364 closed sales, down 15.0% from October 2025. Homes in contracts totaled 2,385, a 12.4% decrease. New listings were down slightly, with 3,274 homes listed, compared with 3,320 last October.

Meanwhile, inventory increased 15.9%, from 5,913 homes to 6,851. Months supply rose from 2.4 to 2.8. Homes averaged 35 days on market until sale, compared with 34 days last October.

Taken together, the numbers show that buyers had more homes to choose from and that sales activity was slower than a year earlier. They do not show that every home is taking longer to sell or that every buyer has more negotiating room. Conditions can differ substantially by neighborhood, price range, and property type.

What the numbers may mean for buyers

More inventory can give buyers a wider set of homes to compare. The increase from 5,913 to 6,851 homes for sale means there were more active options across the Entire MLS than there were last October. The average time on market also moved from 34 to 35 days, suggesting a little more time between listing and sale at the regional level.

That extra choice does not mean prices have fallen across the market. The median sale price was $332,250, up 2.2% from $325,000 in October 2025. The average sale price was $384,593, up 2.9%. Buyers may find opportunities in specific homes or areas, but the overall report does not support assuming that every seller will accept a lower price.

For buyers, the useful takeaway is to compare homes carefully and look closely at recent sales for the area and type of property they’re considering. The regional average can provide context, but it cannot determine whether a particular home is priced well or how competitive an offer may need to be.

What the numbers may mean for sellers

Sellers are entering a market with more homes available to buyers than a year ago. That increases the importance of how a home compares with other options in its price range. The data also show that sellers received 95.8% of the original list price on average, compared with 96.2% last October.

The percentage of the last list price received was 98.6%, compared with 98.5% a year earlier. These two measures tell different parts of the story: the original list price reflects the starting price, while the last list price reflects any changes made before the sale. October’s figures suggest that pricing decisions made during the listing period can matter.

At the same time, sale prices were higher year over year. The median list price at the time of sale was $339,900, up 3.0%, and the median sale price increased 2.2%. Sellers should not read the rise in inventory as a reason to underprice automatically. Instead, the data point to the value of setting a price that reflects current competition, the home’s condition, and recent nearby sales.

A look at year-to-date activity

From January through October, closed sales totaled 24,975, down 0.5% from the same period in 2025. Homes in contracts were down 0.6%, to 26,216. New listings, however, were up 1.8%, to 33,978.

Year-to-date prices were higher. The median sale price was $340,000, up 3.3%, and the average sale price was $392,596, up 4.1%. Homes averaged 35 days on market, compared with 32 days in the first ten months of 2025.

The year-to-date figures add context to October’s monthly results. Sales volume is nearly level with the prior year so far, while sale prices and new listings are higher. This broader view helps avoid drawing a conclusion from one month alone.

The local details matter

The October report offers useful regional context, but it cannot replace a neighborhood-level review. A home’s competition and likely buyer pool can vary based on location, condition, price, and property type. The report also notes that its sale price figures do not account for concessions or downpayment assistance.

At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Platinum Realty Group, we help buyers and sellers interpret the data that applies to their own goals. If you’re considering a move, reach out and we can look at the most relevant recent activity for your area and price range.

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