Connie Sadowski, Realtor

  By Connie Sadowski | Coldwell Banker Realty “I’m waiting for interest rates to come down.” It’s understandable. A lower rate can make a meaningful difference in your payment. But waiting also has costs: continued rent, delayed equity building, and more time in a home that no longer fits your life. For Central Ohio buyers and homeowners, the right decision starts with your budget, your needs, and the full picture. 1. The Advantages of Buying Compared to Renting An opportunity to build equity. With a typical mortgage, the principal portion of your payments reduces your loan balance. Your home could also appreciate, although values can decline. Rent provides housing and flexibility, but it does not build ownership in the property. More predictable loan payments. A fixed-rate mortgage keeps principal and interest payments consistent. Property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and association fees can still rise, so your total housing costs may change. More control over your spa...

With almost 1,000 more homes on the market at this time in 2025 than 2024, a busy spring lies ahead for REALTORS® in central Ohio. The median sales price in the latest central Ohio housing report published by Columbus REALTORS® rose to $305,000, marking a 1.9% increase year over year, while inventory has reached its highest levels for a February since 2017. There were 3,716 homes for sale in the Columbus & Central Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service at the end of February, a 32% increase over February 2024, when there were 2,817 single-family homes and condominiums on the market. “We’ve experienced some warm weather, and we can sense spring approaching,” said Columbus REALTORS® President Buffie Patterson. “From our previous experience, we know that as the weather changes, home sales tend to increase. I believe we are poised for a busy spring in central Ohio.” In 2024, sales increased by nearly 16% from February to March. With almost 1,000 additional homes on the market ...

The housing market is shaping to be a  rosy real estate outlook  economists are predicting for 2025. In the latest sign of improvement,  pending home sales —a gauge of future home sales based on contract signings—rose 2.2% month over month in November, the National Association of REALTORS® reports. Marking the fourth consecutive month of increases, contract signings are up nearly 7% from a year ago and are at their highest level since February 2023. “Consumers appeared to have recalibrated expectations regarding mortgage rates and are taking advantage of more available inventory,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Mortgage rates have averaged above 6% for the past 24 months. Buyers are no longer waiting for or expecting mortgage rates to fall substantially. Furthermore, buyers are in a better position to negotiate as the market shifts away from a seller’s market.” Several recent housing indicators have painted a healthier picture of the market: Existing-home sales j...

Waiting is a strategy but is it a good one? These numbers may help you decide it’s time to jump in the housing market now. Closings in central Ohio were up 3.5% compared to last November, and the total inventory checked in at 4,600 homes and condos, a 21.2 percent increase over last year. Through 11 months, 2024’s housing market in central Ohio is on track to outperform 2023 in nearly every category. There were 2,146 closings reported in the Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS in November 2024. The median sales price remained the same as October, holding steady at $315,000. Days on market rose 29.2% year over year to 31 days, and new listings dipped 1.3% compared to last year, as 2,204 new listings entered the market in November. November’s total number of closed sales was in line with last year's; however, it marked an 18.3% decrease compared to last month. In October, 2,539 closed sales were reported. As the year winds down, 2024 is tracking to outperform 2023 across the boa...

Home equity is  a key component of homeownership and can be a powerful asset that helps you build wealth over time.  It’s  the difference between the value of your home and the amount you still owe on your mortgage.   Here are some reasons why buying a home can be a good financial decision: Equity : Home equity can help you build wealth as your home's value increases and you pay down your mortgage.   Stability : Homeownership can increase your financial stability.   Tax benefits : Homeownership may reduce your taxes.   Social ties : Homeownership can increase your social ties.   Rental costs : Rental costs may increase more than a mortgage.   You can use your home equity for various expenses, such as: Home equity loans : You can use a home equity loan to access your equity.   Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) : You can use a HELOC to access your equity.   Reverse mortgage : If you're 62 or ...