6AM City In-house

Keepin’ it real estate

Columbus real estate agents give their predictions for 2023
CBUStoday skyline nighttime
There were 36,000+ home sales in the Capital City in 2021, according to Columbus REALTORS. | Photo via Canva
There aren’t enough flame emojis on the Internet to describe the Columbus housing market. In 2022, the median home in Franklin County sold for $277,000, an 11.1% jump year-over-year. Sheesh. 🔥

Real estate agents are predicting changes next year, including interest rates, sale prices, and time on the market. But for those hoping to dip their toes in the home buying waters soon, it helps to know what trends to expect. Put on your floaties, and let’s hear what the local experts predict.

Keep an eye on the ‘burbs 🏡

Lee Ritchie, leader and principal of Ritchie Realty Group of RE/MAX Partners, said remote working + the pandemic led to shifts for buyers. In short, people want more space. This includes home offices, backyards, and additional bedrooms, all of which Lee said can be found in suburbs like Dublin or Hilliard.

Both Lee and Priscilla Johnson, realtor with Columbest Homes which she just launched, expects the 2023 market to normalize. The sellers market in 2022 has slowed down, Priscilla said, but a move-in ready home in a preferred area will see some competition.

Don’t give up on city living 🏡

While many flock to the suburbs, Lee said areas like German Village seem to be timeless. This leads back to lifestyle, where some prefer access to nightlife and retail. However, median home prices are over the city median at $534,000+, according to Realtor.com.

Worth it to wait? 🏡

Lee and Priscilla noted rising interest rates as hindrances on what buyers can do, but that doesn’t mean wait. Lee said it’s the opposite.

Until recently, buyers had to pay more than the asking price in addition to inspection fees + move-in costs. Now, Lee said this is less common and buyers can avoid things like waiving the appraisal gap coverage.

Give us your predictions: Over the next six months, the real estate market here will…

  1. Heat up even more
  2. Level off and stay about the same
  3. Start to cool off a bit
  4. I have no idea
LET US KNOW
6AM City In-house

Click here to have your event featured.

Thursday, Dec. 8
  • Ohio State Women’s Basketball vs. University of New Hampshire | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 11 a.m. | The Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr., Columbus | $11
  • Andrea Bocelli | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 8 p.m. | Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus | $83-$333 | Enjoy the serenading voice of this critically-acclaimed Italian tenor singer.
  • Karaoke Night | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 9 p.m. | Oldfield’s North Fourth Tavern, 1571 N. 4th St., Columbus | Free
Friday, Dec. 9
  • Franklinton Friday | Friday, Dec. 9 | 6-9 p.m. | Franklinton Arts District, Columbus | Free
  • John Morgan | Friday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 11 | Times vary | Columbus Funny Bone, 145 Easton Town Center, Columbus | $20-$40 | Watch this stand-up comedian who has made appearances on MTV and Showtime.
  • CD92.9 Holiday Show | Friday, Dec. 9 | 6 p.m. | KEMBA Live!, 405 Neil Ave., Columbus | $35-$40 | Rock out for the holidays with headliner FOALS at this show hosted by the local radio station.
Saturday, Dec. 10
  • The Merry Krampus 2022 | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Strongwater Events, 401 W. Town St., Columbus | $5-$25 | Enjoy food trucks, photo booths with Santa and Krampus, spooky entertainment + 75 vendors selling holiday goodies.
  • Columbus Chorus Lights Up FPC | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 2-3 p.m. | Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus | $0-$22 | Enjoy the a capella holiday tunes sang in barbershop style fashion.
Sunday, Dec. 11
  • Holiday Wonderland Market | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 11:10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Understory, 2571 Neil Ave., Columbus | Free | Shop locally, drink cocktails, and enjoy food at this pop-up in collaboration with SoHud Market.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 46º | Scattered showers | 40% chance of rain
Travel
  • Breeze Airways, a low-fare national airline, added six new and returning flights at the John Glenn International Airport. The two new destinations are Orange County, California + Providence, Rhode Island, and the returning flights include Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina as well as Jacksonville, Florida. ✈️
Coming Soon
  • The Fairway, a new bar concept featuring an indoor golf simulator, will open in the former space of the Arlington Cafe at 1975 W. Henderson Rd. The 26,000-sqft complex will feature six golf simulators, plus one that can be reserved for private parties. The Fairway expects to open in the fall of next year. ⛳️ (Columbus Business First)
Community
  • LinkUs, a local organization looking to modernize transit in Columbus, released conceptual designs for the first three Rapid Bus Transit corridors. Together, the three corridors could provide access to and from downtown, Dublin, and eastern + western parts of Columbus. LinkUs is applying for federal grants for these designs.
Development
  • Two Columbus developments, the North Market Tower + Grandview Crossing, received large tax credits from the state for their multi-million dollar projects. The North Market Tower was awarded $34 million in credits, while Grandview Crossing received $6.3 million. (Columbus Business First)
Ranked
  • When it comes to productivity, Columbusites are pros. A new study by the American Growth Project ranked Columbus as the No. 5 most productive city in the US. The study cited the recent shift from industrial production to smart tech, healthcare, and higher education for the growth. 📈
Number
  • 643. That’s how many Christmas trees this Columbus resident currently has inside her home. Barbara Hardesty, who is now cancer free, started this tradition 11 years ago when she was diagnosed with cancer + has since kept it going. 🎄 (FOX28)
Shop
  • ‘Tis the season to shop items from our online shop Six & Main. Our gift guides feature shirts, jewelry, gourmet popcorn, coffee, and more. There’s no time to waste, let the shopping begin. 🛍️
Try This
  • Give the gift of a quality shave month after month with a Harry’s trial set and blade subscription. Choose your handle color, refill frequency, and let the good shave days roll in for as little as $5 on sign-up (yes, you heard that right). 🪒*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Making way for Wawa ⛽️
CBUStoday Wawa.png
Wawa currently has 1,000 locations in states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey. | Photo via Wawa
Wawa, a popular Pennsylvania-based gas station known for its convenience store, announced it will expand into three new states — and Ohio made the cut.

As of now, no firm location has been decided on where Wawa will land in Ohio, and that’s where we can help. The national gas chain is seeking site suggestions for its first-ever Ohio location and we think Columbus is a perfect spot. Do you know of any areas that we can rah-rah for Wawa?

Wawa will be accepting suggestions throughout the upcoming months with plans to announce locations later in 2023. Once announced, the gas stations will begin opening in 2025. Wawa’s menu features freshly made sandwiches, coffee, and breakfast burritos in addition to carrying various snack items.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Mitch.

Editor’s pick: I’m crossing my fingers Wawa picks Columbus as an Ohio location — there are few things I love more than a late night snack run to the gas station. Lately, I’ve been ditching the salty snacks for some chocolate, like Reese’s Sticks, and something sour, like Sweet Tarts. What’s your go-to gas station snack?

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here’s what you need to know about the latest live fire grill, FYR.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Mitch Hooper, Hanna Williford, Sarah Leonhardt, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Ana Gibson | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?
SUBSCRIBE

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY