Buying a home is an exciting experience, but it can feel a bit overwhelming if you don’t have the right information.
Because buying a home is arguably one of the biggest decisions people make in life. It is important to work with a local real estate professional who will represent you and help you navigate the process. After all, home sellers will likely have an agent working solely on their behalf and so should you.
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or an empty-nester ready to downsize, there is a lot of planning involved in buying a home. Some of your preparation to buy a home includes:
In this market, home buying can be a challenge. Homes are selling quickly, and many receive multiple offers. You deserve to have a strong advocate to help you buy a home. The Rita Boswell Group has helped many home buyers find their ideal home. Call Realtor Rita Boswell at 614-830-9767 to find your Central Ohio home.
Rita Boswell was extremely patient, knowledgeable, and professional. In addition, she was so attentive to me as a buyer, it made me feel if I was her only client.
Without a doubt, I would definitely recommend Rita to anyone looking for a realtor.
— Condo Buyer Jason Moore
Are you searching for your perfect haven in the heart of Central Ohio? Look no further! Nestled in the picturesque city of Westerville, this well-maintained ranch-style home is a true gem that ticks all the boxes. With its spacious living area, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a range of enticing features, this 1,836 square feet … Continued
In June, Months of Inventory stayed at 0.8. Since this is under 3, it remains a seller’s market. With continued low inventory, home prices continue to rise. Homes continue to sell quickly at only 18 days on average. While that’s longer than the housing frenzy of 2021, it’s relatively quick. Continue reading to see how … Continued
In May, Months of Inventory increased slightly to 0.8. Since this is under 3, it’s still a seller’s market. The number of new listings went up 17.3% compared to May. While the number of new listings finally outpaced the number of pending homes, only time will tell if this is a new trend that could … Continued
Welcome to the newest residential development coming to Delaware, Ohio – an extraordinary community of paired patio homes that will capture your heart and fulfill your desires for comfortable, affordable living. With prices starting under $300k, these amazing new construction homes offer an exceptional opportunity, especially in today’s fiercely competitive seller’s market. Whether you prefer … Continued
In April, the Months of Inventory moved up slightly to 0.9. Since this is under 3, it’s still a seller’s market. The number of new listings went up 4% compared to April. However, the number of homes going into contract outpaced the number of homes listed for sale in April. Low inventory and the seasonal … Continued
In March, the Months of Inventory moved back down to 0.8. Since this is under 3, it’s still a seller’s market. The number of new listings went up 30.2% compared to March. However, the number of homes going into contract and selling outpaced the number of homes listed for sale in March. The lower number … Continued
Multigenerational living is a growing trend worldwide, but it’s especially gaining popularity among families in the US. Not only do multigenerational homes provide an affordable option for extended families to live together, they also offer many benefits like an abundance of hands-on support, pooled resources, an enhanced sense of intergenerational connection and support, and potential long-term cost savings.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what multigenerational households are, why they’re becoming increasingly popular, and how these households can be beneficial for all involved. We’ll also explore scenarios as examples. So if you’ve ever been curious about the concept of multigenerational homes or if you’ve considered it for your own family, keep reading to learn more!
In February, the Months of Inventory moved back down to 1.1. Since this is under 3, it’s still a seller’s market. The number of new listings went up 6% compared to February. However, the number of homes going into contract and selling outpaced the number of homes listed for sale in February. The lower number … Continued
In January, the Months of Inventory came in at 1.4. Since this is under 3, it’s still a seller’s market. Homes continue to sell quickly at only 31 days on average. Prices appear to be stabilizing, though only time will tell. The number of new listings went up 24% compared to last January. Inventory may … Continued
In December, the Months of Inventory came in at 1.2. Since this is under 3, it’s still a seller’s market. Homes continue to sell quickly at only 26 days on average. Prices appear to be stabilizing, though only time will tell. The number of new listings went down almost 25% compared to last December. Low … Continued
In November, Months of Inventory increased by almost 8%, but it remains a seller’s market because inventory is still low. Homes are still selling quickly at only 23 days on average. Prices appear to be stabilizing, though only time will tell. Continue reading to find out how the Columbus, Ohio housing market is performing. “Today’s … Continued
It’s still a seller’s market, but the real estate market is shifting in the Columbus area. In October, Months of Inventory increased. The total number of homes for sale moved up, but the number of homes placed in contract also moved up month over month. So, overall inventory increased, but there’s still not enough housing. … Continued
It’s still a seller’s market, but the real estate market is shifting in the Columbus area. In September, the Months of Inventory increased. Fewer homes were newly listed, but fewer homes were sold or went into contract. So, overall inventory increased. This is finally causing home price trends to begin to depreciate. That’s good news … Continued
It’s still a seller’s market, but it does appear to be leveling out somewhat in Central Ohio. In August, the Months of Inventory decreased slightly. The absorption rate leveled out, and the price per square foot continued to fall from July’s peak. New listings were yet again outpaced by homes going in contract, and the … Continued
While spring and summer get all the attention as the busiest seasons for real estate, fall and winter are actually the best time to buy a home, and here’s why:
Did you know that the City of Columbus has a special program for first-time home buyers? They sure do! It’s called the American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI). The ADDI program joins with participating lenders to provide funds for low and moderate-income first-time homebuyers in the Columbus City School District. The program can be used in … Continued
While we’re still in a strong seller’s market thanks to high demand and low inventory, the market does appear to be leveling out in Central Ohio. Months of Inventory went up in July, and the Absorption rate went down. Trends have changed to Steady and Neutral.* In July, the Months of Inventory continued to rise, … Continued
As usual, the market heats up along with the temps. Even though Days On Market are falling and prices are rising, the market is hampered by continued low inventory. In June, the Months of Inventory rose. New listings were yet again outpaced by pending and sold homes, but there was a 40% increase in homes … Continued
As expected, as the weather warms so does the housing market. Even though Days On Market are falling and prices are rising, the market is hampered by continued low inventory. Thankfully, we are seeing more listings enter the market. In May, inventory rose somewhat but new listings were once again outpaced by pending and sold … Continued
As expected, as the weather warms so does the housing market. Even though Days On Market are falling and prices are rising, the market is hampered by continued low inventory. The demand is still there, but the supply just isn’t. In April, it does appear that the number of homes for sale and homes listed … Continued
We remain in a hot seller’s market in Columbus. It’s likely to stay hot because low inventory and high demand continue to be the catalysts. In fact, the below report shows that as of this writing, there are about 900 homes currently for sale in all of Central Ohio.* Looking at the graph below, we … Continued
Since 2020, the Columbus real estate market has been extremely challenging, to say the least. The demand is high, but the supply is not. The supply imbalance has been hardest on buyers of lower-priced homes (where inventory is thinnest). With current economic conditions so murky, it’s hard to say whether or not things will get … Continued
The Columbus area has maintained a hot sellers’ market throughout the winter. This will continue into spring because low inventory continues to be an issue for everyone. In fact, the below report shows that as of this writing, there are less than 900 homes currently for sale in Central Ohio.* Read below to find out … Continued
The Columbus area has maintained a hot sellers’ market throughout the winter, and that will likely continue as we move into spring. Inventory continues to be an issue for buyers and houses are being bought up quickly. New listings are up, but they are being bought up quickly. Buyers are racing to buy before interest … Continued
The Columbus area is still in a hot sellers’ market even as temps cool. Inventory continues to be an issue for buyers and houses are being bought up quickly. New listings are still trending down, but sold price trends are now depreciating. BOTTOM LINE: We NEED more listings in order for the market to balance … Continued
The Columbus area is still in a hot sellers’ market even as temps cool. Inventory continues to be an issue for buyers and houses are being bought up quickly. New listings are still trending down, but sold price trends are now depreciating. BOTTOM LINE: We NEED more listings in order for the market to balance … Continued
Many housing investors, prospective homebuyers, and current homeowners are anxious for what 2022 has in store. The housing market has been wild over the past two years. Prices surged to record levels. Inventory is still at or near record lows. As the year comes to an end, Realtor.com and Redfin have published their 2022 real … Continued
The Columbus area maintained a seller’s market through October and into November. Inventory is still near record lows and houses are being snatched up quickly. New listings are still trending down, and sold price trends are still appreciating. BOTTOM LINE: We NEED more listings in order for the market to balance out. Read below to … Continued
The Columbus area continued to maintain a seller’s market throughout September, of course. Inventory is near record lows and houses are being snatched up quickly. New listings are still trending down, and sold price trends are still appreciating. BOTTOM LINE: We NEED more listings in order for the market to balance out. Read below to … Continued
The Columbus area continued to maintain a seller’s market throughout August. Inventory is near record lows and houses are being snatched up quickly. The number of new listings dropped by 14% in August while pending homes moved up over 16%. Meanwhile, for sale prices fell in August, but sold price trends are still appreciating. Without … Continued
The Columbus area continued to maintain a seller’s market throughout July 2021. Inventory is near record lows and houses are being snatched up quickly. Home prices continue to rise even as the summer winds down. However, it is still a good time to buy for a long-term investment. In the near term, home prices may … Continued
This is a very difficult market for home buyers, but we’ve got a few tricks that may make your house hunt a little less competitive. Below find home buying tricks for a sellers’ market. 1. Watch Price Reduced Homes Despite the hot market, there are still some homes that are priced too high for the … Continued
The Columbus area has continued to maintain a seller’s market throughout June. Inventory is nearing record lows and houses are being snatched up quickly. Home prices continue to rise as we head through the summer market. However, it is still a good time to buy for a long-term investment. Consistently low inventory and higher demand … Continued
The fast acceleration of home prices has many wondering if we’re in a housing bubble similar to the mid-2000s. However, the experts have been saying that no, we aren’t in a housing bubble. We’ll get into why below. But first, what really IS a bubble? The balance defines an asset bubble as… An asset bubble … Continued
The Columbus area has continued to maintain a seller’s market throughout May. Home prices came down slightly over the past months which is normal for this time of year – spelling good news for buyers. BUT, inventory is still incredibly low which will continue to benefit sellers. As we come into the summer market, expect … Continued
The Columbus area has continued to maintain a seller’s market throughout April. Home prices came down slightly over the past months which is normal for this time of year – spelling good news for buyers. BUT, inventory is still incredibly low which is definitely going to continue to benefit sellers. As we shift into the … Continued
The Columbus area continued to be in a strong seller’s market throughout March. Home prices came down slightly over the past months (normal for this time of year) – which is good news for buyers. BUT, inventory is still incredibly low which is definitely going to continue to benefit sellers. As we shift into the … Continued
The Columbus area continued to be in a strong seller’s market in February, despite the weather. Home prices are coming down slightly each month (normal for this time of year) – which is good for buyers. BUT, inventory is still incredibly low which is resulting in bidding wars, no contingencies, and favorable conditions for sellers. … Continued
The Columbus area continues to be a strong seller’s market despite being in the dead of winter. Home prices are coming down slightly each month – which is good for buyers. But, inventory is still incredibly low. Consistently low inventory and higher demand are driving up prices year after year. The market normally slows down … Continued
In many people’s lives, there comes a time when the bustling city life grows old, and they just want to settle down in a home they can call their own. Enter the suburbs, a place where single-family homes and the conveniences of city living meet. Naturally, once people start a family, the suburbs become much … Continued
The Columbus area continues to be a strong seller’s market despite being in the dead of winter. Home prices are coming down slightly month by month – which is great news for buyers. But, inventory is still incredibly low. Consistently low inventory levels combined with high demand are continuing to drive prices up year after … Continued
Buying a home is a huge investment, and that means you will need some money to get started. Down payments can be 10s of thousands of dollars, so if you don’t have that, you’ll need to start saving up. There are also things like closing costs to consider. To determine how much you need to … Continued
The Columbus area continues to be a strong seller’s market even as temps drop. Home prices are coming down slightly month over month – which is great news for buyers. But, inventory is still lower than ever. Consistently low inventory levels combined with high demand are continuing to drive prices up year over year. We … Continued
The Columbus area remains in a strong seller’s market even with winter around the corner. Home prices are down slightly month over month – great news for buyers. But, inventory remains extremely low. Consistently low inventory levels and high demand are driving prices up year over year. We usually see a seasonal slow down as … Continued
The Columbus area remains in a strong seller’s market despite cooling temps. Home prices continue to rise and inventory remains ridiculously low. We usually see a seasonal slow down as we approach the holiday season, but we’ll have to see what happens this year. Read below to find out how the Columbus, OH housing market is … Continued
The Columbus housing market continues to be an extreme seller’s market. Home prices continues to rise and inventory remains insanely low. Read below to find out how the Columbus, OH housing market is doing and see what trends are happening right now. “Today’s Stats” are also included so you can see how things have changed … Continued
With so few Central Ohio homes for sale, many home buyers are opting for new construction homes. It’s a common misconception that it’s cheaper or better to have all upgrades done by the builder. The truth is, some upgrades are best done by the builder, while others should be done later. When you are buying … Continued
The Columbus housing market continues to be a heavy seller’s market. Home prices are rising and inventory is shockingly low. Read below to find out how the Columbus, OH housing market is doing and see the trends that are occurring. “Today’s Stats” are also included so you can see how things have changed as of … Continued
This question comes up a lot: “Do I need a real estate agent to buy a new home?” There’s often confusion around the need for a Buyer’s Agent when buying new construction in Columbus. After all, home builders usually have sales agents on-site who are friendly. It seems easy at first. You get to customize … Continued
Many people are finding that they will be working from home for the foreseeable future and that kids will be doing virtual school for at least part of the upcoming school year. But, is your current home working for you and your family? A lot of people are frustrated by their limited workspace(s) as they … Continued
The Columbus housing market is going crazy! It’s definitely a seller’s market, since home prices are rising and inventory is as low as ever. Read below to find out how the Columbus, OH housing market is doing and see the trends that are occurring. “Today’s Stats” are also included so you can see how things … Continued
The Columbus housing market is HOT!!🔥🔥🔥 Homes are selling fast, home prices are up, and inventory is way down. Keep reading to see how the Columbus Ohio Real Estate Market did in May and to view trends. We’ve also included “Today’s Stats” to help you see where we are as of this writing on June … Continued
As expected, activity in April contracted considerably. The number of homes for sale, newly listed, pending, and closed were all down. However, as states slowly reopen, the Columbus real estate market is starting to pick back up, as you will see from the mid-May stats provided below. People are still buying and selling homes, and … Continued
Given the current healthcare emergency, it is difficult to know what the Columbus real estate market will do. Despite the virus, March still saw home prices and sales move up and days on market move down in Central Ohio. If you need to buy or sell a home during this time, please contact us at … Continued
Given the current healthcare emergency, it is difficult to know what the Columbus real estate market will do in the near future. If you need to buy or sell a home during this time, please contact us at 614-830-9767. You can always start your home search online from your home at RitaBoswellGroup.com. Read More to … Continued
We’re two months into 2020, and the market is already getting HOT! Keep reading to see how the market is doing in Columbus right now.
One thing you’ll notice when you go look at a house that’s just come on the market, there may be a lot of other people looking at the home. That’s a sure sign that it’s going to be competitive. If a Columbus home is in the Under $300k price range, is priced at or below … Continued
Happy New Year and New Decade!! Let’s start it off with a great Columbus Real Estate Market Report for home buyers and sellers! Keep reading to see real estate trends that make this an ideal time to buy or sell a home in Columbus!
‘Tis the season for holiday movies, snow days, and beautiful decorations. Believe it or not, it’s also a great time to buy a home! Keep reading to see real estate trends that make winter an ideal time to buy.
What happened to Autumn?! Winter has come early and the Holidays are fast approaching. Even though the holiday season and the cold weather slow the real estate market down, statistically this is the best time to buy a home. Plus, it’s still a seller’s market, so it’s good for homeowners too. Keep reading for the … Continued
If you’re wondering “what is a gated community,” it’s a group of homes that are only accessible to residents and their guests. While it does sound prestigious, keep these advantages and disadvantages of living in a gated community in mind before you buy a home in a gated community. Pro: Privacy One obvious advantage to … Continued
It’s definitely Autumn! The time of the year when home prices fall along with temps. In fact, fall and winter are the best times to buy a home because prices and competition are a little lower. While prices are falling slightly with the season, the overall trend of low housing inventory and rising home values … Continued
Successful Columbus, Ohio home buyers not only require healthy finances, but also a healthy state of mind. You don’t want to be driven crazy when trying to buy a home, and you don’t want to fail and end up stuck in your old place. Here are 4 habits to adopt if you want to buy … Continued
Summer is almost over, and like clockwork, the real estate market begins to slow down. As expected, home prices are coming down slightly, and homes took a little longer to sell in August compared to July. Keep reading for the full report and to view trends.
July numbers are in! We normally see a small slow down in July as many people go on vacation. The real estate market in Columbus usually picks back up by September before slowing again for the fall and winter. As expected, home prices did fall slightly in July. However, days on market also fell. New … Continued
June numbers show that the market remained as hot as the temperatures! July usually sees a small, temporary market slow down as many people go on their summer vacations this month, so expect that to be reflected in next month’s report. Read More to see how the Central Ohio real estate market did in June … Continued
An HOA, or Home Owners Association, is a board of neighborhood residents that come together to maintain the appearance of the neighborhood. They set restrictions on what you can and can’t do with your property and keep up with the common areas. An HOA is something that many buyers either love or hate, but not … Continued
It’s June, and with the summer heat the real estate market also heats up this time of year. Overall, prices moved up in May, though inventory came up slightly. Expect a slight slow down in early July for summer vacations, then the market usually picks back up again before the fall and winter slow down. … Continued
It’s May and the house hunting season is in full swing! The number of listings went up in April, but so did the number of homes closed and in contract. Inventory remains low and is about the same as this time last year. Read More to see how the Central Ohio real estate market did … Continued
Birds are singing, flowers are blooming… and the market is heating up! Literally, Columbus was just named the Hottest Market in the US. If you’re thinking about buying a home, what better way to enjoy the lovely weather than to go see some homes for sale! Read More to see how the Central Ohio real … Continued
It’s officially Spring! When the temperature climbs and there’s more daylight in the evening, it’s perfect for house hunting! Read More to see how the Central Ohio real estate market did in February and to view trends.
In a recent article, livability.com ranked cities from around the country on which were the best places to live in the U.S. They only chose 100 cities. Out of those 100, Columbus, Ohio placed 31st. Cities were ranked on everything from civics to infrastructure. Livability.com even evaluated more specific categories, such as the food and … Continued
January is usually the beginning of the end for the slower winter season in real estate. Home buyers in Columbus enjoyed more inventory, longer days on market, and lower prices on average. As the days grow longer, the weather warms, and folks begin to get their tax refunds, that’s when the real estate market swings … Continued
The weather and short days generally make January a slower time for real estate. It’s normal for prices to shift down and properties to spend more time on market. However, thanks to the new year and tax returns on the horizon, many home buyers and sellers are gearing up to enter the housing market soon. … Continued
Many Columbus, Ohio home buyers are choosing to purchase a newly built home. There are many reasons to buy new or build. You can get the floor plan, features, and finishes you want. Newly built homes tend to be more energy efficient, saving energy costs long term. Additionally, many home buyers are struggling to find … Continued
Buying a home is a huge financial decision, so it makes sense to hire a home inspector before you buy. Even if the Columbus home you’re considering looks great, there could be hidden issues. This is where a home inspection is crucial. If there’s a leaky roof, mold, termites, or a faulty foundation, chances are … Continued
Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the Columbus area, you can benefit from viewing homes that have recently sold. Home sellers can use recent home sales in their neighborhood to get an idea of home prices on homes sold nearby. Home buyers can look at recent home sales in a community … Continued
Housing inventory in Columbus has been at historically low levels for some time now. This issue has frustrated home buyers, causing some to stop their house hunt altogether. For others, they continue to search endlessly or they compromise and buy a home that fits most of their criteria. Recently, Rita was able to help one … Continued
Buying a home is exciting and frightening all at the same time. However, you can put your mind at ease if you know what to expect when it comes to closing costs. Closing costs are those costs that you will need to pay upfront on the day of the closing. In some situations, the seller … Continued
Wading through the real estate market to purchase a home can be daunting if you don’t understand the process. Check out these six steps to buying a home before you begin the search for your dream home. Keep the excitement of buying a new home alive! 💯 Know Your Credit Score Knowing your credit score … Continued
If you’ve followed my market reports through the summer, you already know that Central Ohio is seeing different market conditions for different price points. Overall, the Columbus area has had (and continues to have) a Seller’s Market. However, buyers and sellers in the higher price points will likely find conditions more favorable to buyers. The … Continued
Probably everyone knows about Zillow and their “Zestimate,” but in case you don’t, here’s what it is (according to Zillow): “The Zestimate® home value is Zillow’s estimated market value for an individual home and is calculated for about 100 million homes nationwide. It is a starting point in determining a home’s value and is not … Continued
Did you know there is a program to buy your next Central Ohio home with no monthly mortgage payments?
A recent report from Zillow looked at how much more annual income renters in metro areas would need each month to keep up with increases in rent. The report found that renters in Seattle, LA, and Boston need the biggest income boosts in 2017 to keep up with increasing rent.
With many Central Ohio homes for sale receiving multiple-offers, I find I am getting a lot questions from both buyers and sellers on what to do in a multiple offer situation. Buyers are finding the current real estate market difficult because homes are selling so quickly. They’ve often lost out on a home already, and … Continued
Moving from a small town or suburb to a large city like Columbus can be an intimidating proposition. Here are a few tips to help make your move as painless as possible. Research before you move. It’s important to understand the culture you’re joining. Do research online and find out about school systems, neighborhoods, parking, … Continued
Looking to buy a Central OH home? Here are five essential tips for making the process as smooth as possible. Get your finances in order. Start by getting a full picture of your credit. Obtain copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you find. Next, find a … Continued
Recently, we posted an article discussing where mortgage interest rates may be heading over the next twelve months. We quoted projections from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Association of Realtors. Each predicted that rates would begin to rise slowly and steadily throughout 2016. However, shaky economic news and a … Continued
With the Central OH real estate market on fire, you may be wondering if you should wait to enter the housing market. Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting. 1. Prices Will Continue to Rise CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 6.3% … Continued
As the events of the last few years in the real estate industry show, people forget about the tremendous financial responsibility of purchasing a home at their peril. Here are a few tips for dealing with the dollar signs so that you can take down that “for sale” sign on your new home. Get pre-approved. … Continued
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their latest Quarterly Metro Home Price report earlier this month. The report revealed that home prices are not only continuing to rise but that the increases are accelerating. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, discussed the impact of low inventory on buyers in the report: “Without a significant … Continued
There are some people that have not yet purchased a Central Ohio home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either your mortgage or your landlord’s mortgage. HOW CAN YOU BE PAYING A … Continued
Fannie Mae recently released their “What do consumers know about the Mortgage Qualification Criteria?” Study. The study revealed that Americans are misinformed about what is required to qualify for a mortgage when purchasing a home. Here are three takeaways: 59% of Americans either don’t know (54%) or are misinformed (5%) about what FICO score is … Continued
Below read quotes from experts as well as industry reports & articles that cover the residential rental market in the U.S. What Experts Are Saying Zillow Chief Economist Svenja Gudell: “Make no mistake: Despite this recent slowdown in rental appreciation, the rental affordability crisis we’ve been enduring for the past few years shows no signs … Continued
The monthly mortgage payment on a Central Ohio home is determined by two elements: the price of the house and the interest rate you pay on your mortgage. Recently released reports are revealing that the experts expect both elements to go up in 2016. HOME PRICES CoreLogic has projected a nationwide 5.2% home value appreciation … Continued
Recently, we discussed the reasons why Central Ohio home ownership makes sense financially. Today, we wanted to touch on the emotional or “real” reasons that many Columbus area residents strive to become home owners. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University performs a study every year surveying participants for the reasons that American’s … Continued
The financial crisis affected so many who had no choice but to sell or relinquish their Central Ohio homes and take a credit hit. Those who did are starting to see their credit improve and are wondering if it’s time to re-visit the world of home ownership in the Columbus area. Many of you are … Continued
You hear it on the news all the time: “It’s a buyer’s market,” “It’s a seller’s market,” or “The housing market is on the rebound.” And, while you probably get the gist of what these folks are talking about, having a deeper understanding of the housing market and how it works can help you immensely … Continued