Condo & Townhome Buyers: Why This Summer Might Be Your Window in Central Ohio

Buyers focused on single-family homes get most of the market coverage, but the condo and townhome segment quietly had one of the strongest months of the year in May — and it's worth understanding why, especially if you've been priced out of the single-family market or you're looking to simplify.

What the Region Is Actually Doing

The May 2026 report from Columbus REALTORS® and the Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS gives us the clearest picture we've had all year:

• Closed sales climbed 7.8% year over year across Central Ohio.
• Inventory expanded 8.2% year over year, reaching 5,223 single-family homes and condos region-wide, or roughly a 2.0-month supply.
• New listings totaled 4,044 for the month, up 1.4% from May 2025.
• The regional median sales price rose 4.3% to $350,000.
• Homes spent an average of 29 days on market, essentially flat compared to a year ago.

For context, a balanced market — one that favors neither buyers nor sellers — typically needs 4 to 6 months of supply. At 2.0 months, Central Ohio is still tilted toward sellers overall, even with more homes available than we've seen in a few years.

Why Your Neighborhood Doesn't Follow the Regional Average

A 2.0-month regional supply is an average, and averages hide a lot. In higher-demand, close-in corridors like Upper Arlington, Dublin, and much of Worthington and Clintonville, well-priced homes in good condition are still moving quickly and, in some cases, still drawing multiple offers. The buyer pool in these areas is deep — driven by school district reputation, walkability, mature tree canopies, and proximity to downtown — and the price floor has held up well even as regional inventory grows.

Contrast that with more supply-heavy segments of the market, particularly certain price points in the outer-ring suburbs, where buyers now have real choices and are negotiating more actively. Sellers there need to be sharper on both price and presentation to stand out.

The practical takeaway: if you own in one of these established, close-in neighborhoods, the "inventory is rising" headline probably matters less to you than it does to a seller thirty minutes further out. That said, even within Clintonville or Worthington, pricing still varies block to block depending on lot size, school boundary, and renovation condition — which is exactly why a current CMA matters more than a regional statistic.

What This Means If You're Considering Listing

• Get a neighborhood-specific comparative market analysis rather than relying on a citywide average or an automated home-value estimate.
• Expect serious buyers to still move quickly on well-presented homes in strong school districts — but don't assume the frenzy of 2021-2022 pricing logic still applies.
• Pay attention to your specific competition: how many similar homes are active right now within a half-mile of you, and how long have they been sitting?
• If your home needs cosmetic work, budget the time for it. With more inventory on the market, presentation is doing more of the work than it did a few years ago.
  

Bottom Line

Central Ohio's overall market has more breathing room than it did a year or two ago, but established communities like Upper Arlington, Dublin, Worthington, and Clintonville are still holding up well for sellers who price accurately and present their homes well. The risk isn't that these neighborhoods have gone soft — it's assuming the regional numbers describe your specific street when they may not.

If you're weighing a listing this summer, I'm happy to pull the actual comparable sales for your neighborhood so you're working from real numbers, not a regional headline.

Margaret Lipp | REMAX Premier Choice

Serving Upper Arlington, Dublin, Worthington, Clintonville, Hilliard, Powell, Grandview, and all Central Ohio communities.

Market data sourced from Columbus REALTORS® / Columbus and Central Ohio Regional MLS, May 2026 housing report (most recent data available as of publication). This post is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for advice tailored to your specific property or situation.