The real estate market, along with the weather, are off to a cool start, which is aligned with expectations and typical seasonality. The data above indicates limited inventory, which has been the story for years across Northeast Ohio.


What's interesting is the number of days on the market has also increased from 39 days to 50 days in the last month. What that tells me is that there is a lot of "stale" properties that are either overpriced, not staged correctly, or poorly marketed sitting on the MLS. These homes are not selling and are sitting for longer and longer time periods.

Overall, I've talked to countless buyers and sellers who will sell or buy with me in 2026, but who are waiting until late winter or early spring really get started. This is normal. What I have seen is that sellers who decide to list now will have less competition, and will attract only serious buyers who are ready to transact sooner than later. Experience also tells me that buyers who are willing to see homes in less than ideal conditions are typically quite motivated and have a reason to move now (life change, job change, relocation need, etc.)

With buyer interest gradually building and mortgage rates slated to go down/stabilize in the coming months, the overall predictions of Ohio real estate are extremely positive. The bottom line is that, with the right plan, buyers and sellers alike still can win in this current market. Who do you know who is considering a real estate goal? The time to get the planning process for most of my clients is now, and I'd love to meet to see how I can help you achieve your goal.

-Pat

Homebuyers are flocking to ‘recession-proof’ Cleveland

New data from Bank of America shows domestic moving activity fell again in the third quarter of 2025, extending a three-year slide as fewer Americans pack up for new jobs or new states. 

Yet amid the slowdown, a small cluster of Midwestern cities has quietly emerged as a bright spot. 

Indianapolis and Columbus ranked as the two fastest-growing major metro areas for the second quarter in a row, with Cleveland not far behind — making the Midwest home to three of the top five growth markets nationwide. 

The draw, analysts say, is simple: lower housing costs, steady employment, and large-scale infrastructure investments like data centers that promise long-term job stability even if the economy softens.

That stands in sharp contrast to much of the Sunbelt, where cities that boomed during the pandemic affordability rush are now seeing momentum fade. 

Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Houston — all former magnets for remote workers — have slipped into population declines or near-zero growth as high prices, oversupply and cooling migration dampen demand. 

Across the country, nearly two-thirds of the major metro areas saw domestic outflows in the third quarter, including much of the Northeast and West Coast. Housing costs are a major reason fewer people are moving at all. 

The steep rise in mortgage rates and home prices since 2022 has pushed many would-be buyers to stay put, or rent. 

What this means to you is that you're in one of the top areas of the United States to buy, sell, or invest in real estate. Most of what you see in the news is "doom and gloom" but that is far from the case here. We're lucky to live here and the data is very strong, especially compared to most of the country.