How to Buy a House in Columbus

A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time and Returning Buyers

Key Takeaways

• Columbus has a vibrant and diverse economy, which has attracted newcomers for years. While demand for housing is high, home prices remain affordable, with median prices below the national average.
• While the market for homes is competitive, recent cooling in price increases provides opportunities for homebuyers.
• Buyers who assess finances early, work with strong local pros, explore neighborhoods on foot and stay offer-ready are positioned to act fast when the right home comes on the market.

Few metro regions in the nation can rival Columbus, Ohio’s range of cultural and economic attractions. Both a capital city and home to The Ohio State University, Columbus has built a diverse economy that includes healthcare, financial services and, more recently, big investments in the data centers needed to power artificial intelligence (AI). 

Ohio State, the nearly 70,000-student university provides a steady pipeline of talent and ideas to launch startups and staff established Fortune 500 companies, while also fostering the cultural vibrancy that attracts and keeps newcomers from around the globe. In fact, between 2020 and 2024, the population of Columbus grew nearly 4%, from 2.14 million to 2.23 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Columbus is a hot market

Growing popularity among both young professionals and more established corporate workers and their families has predictable impacts on the housing market in Columbus. At the beginning of 2025, Columbus ranked 12th on Zillow’s rankings of hottest U.S. real estate markets, besting traditionally competitive markets like Boston, San Diego and San Francisco.

Hot often means pricier – and Columbus is no exception, though it remains cheaper than many growing markets. In 2024, for example, the median home price in Columbus rose about 6% over 2023, from $302,000 to nearly $320,000. By contrast, the typical home value in another hot market, Salt Lake City, is over $555,000 and houses sell in less than 20 days. 

The increase in home prices in 2024 was nothing new. Columbus-area home prices have been on an unbroken upward trajectory since 2013, before dropping slightly in April of 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, institutional investors bought 7% of the area’s homes, tightening competition.

Given a growing population, strong and diverse job market and real estate investor interest, it’s not a surprise that homes stayed on the market for an average of just 28 days in 2024. 

A practical playbook for buyers

While Columbus remains a competitive place to purchase a home, it still offers opportunities for first-time and returning homebuyers. Though median home prices have been on a steady upward trajectory for over a decade, Columbus is still comparatively affordable.

Indeed, at $320,000, the median home price is still well below the national average of nearly $440,000. The recent moderation in home price increases is also a sign that the market is moving from overheated to more balanced. Another indication is the increase in the average number of days homes are on the market before a sale. While 28 days is still a quick turnaround, that number is up 4 days over 2023.

What do these dynamics mean for first-time and returning homebuyers keen on purchasing a house in the Columbus area? Put simply, the market’s robust attractiveness requires buyers to embrace a strategic and methodical approach to their home search.

Here are four ways to make your Columbus home-buying journey more targeted, aligned with your needs and financial situation and, ultimately, successful. 

1. Complete a financial checkup

At the start of a home search, it can be tempting to immediately begin scrolling through listings and imagining yourself in a new house. Resist that temptation and instead devote your time to fully understanding your financial situation. Pull your credit reports and scores to get a sense of the interest rate you’re likely to be offered on a mortgage and correct any errors in the reports.

Compare your take-home pay to a realistic monthly mortgage payment that considers everything from principal and interest to homeowners’ insurance to utilities and maintenance. Completing this self-assessment will help direct you to the Columbus homes and neighborhoods that match your budget. 

2. Collaborate with experts

A thorough financial checkup is a great foundation for productive conversations with professionals who know the ins and outs of mortgage financing and Columbus-area neighborhoods. Work with a knowledgeable lender who can explain different loan types, down payment options, documentation and timelines.

A real estate agent can provide invaluable up-to-date insights about available housing stock, prices, the speed at which homes are selling and how to develop an effective strategy to narrow down options that fit your unique needs – like choosing a neighborhood with good schools for young children or a location that is an easy commute to work.

3. Explore different neighborhoods

Pinpointing a neighborhood and a home that matches your taste and priorities is not something that can be done by gazing at a screen. Get out and walk the streets of areas you think might suit your needs.

Fortunately, Columbus has diverse options. For example, Old Beechwold and Clintonville are located north of Ohio State and provide easy access to activities on campus and a selection of historic homes.

Located in the suburbs northwest of downtown Columbus, Dublin is known for excellent schools and newer houses and larger lots attractive to families with younger children. East of downtown, Bexley combines good schools with historic homes and tree-lined streets. 

4. Prepare to move fast

While the days of frenzied multiple offers may be over, Columbus remains a competitive housing market. Which is why advanced preparation is necessary to move quickly when the right home in the neighborhood you want becomes available. Work with your lender to keep your loan pre-approval updated and collaborate with your agent to understand what inspection terms, seller concessions and closing timelines are appropriate in the neighborhoods you have targeted. 

Columbus is one of the most appealing places in the country to build a life. That’s good news for potential homebuyers – but it also means preparation is essential. By getting your finances in order, working with experts and being ready to move quickly, you’ll be ready when opportunity arises.  

Want to take the first step toward home ownership in Columbus? Contact a Northwest Bank Mortgage Loan Officer to better understand the market, connect with educational resources and begin crafting a budget.