As the summer real estate market heats up, let’s take a closer look at local trends that have led to a consistent rise in Franklin County home sales throughout 2022. We caught up with Caroline Meyer, a local real estate agent with e-Mergesince 2020, for an open house tour of the trends she’s noticed this year.
This Pickerington home offers scenic lake views. | Photo via Caroline Meyer
What local neighborhoods are most popular?
Caroline said all neighborhoods in CBUS are experiencing an increased demand, but homes specifically outside of I-270 have grown in popularity. With more people working from home or spending more time at home, this has led to buyers looking for homes with offices or outdoor entertainment space.
What trends are you seeing in the local market?
Citing increased interest rates, appraisal gap coverage, and seller paid closing costs, Caroline said there is a higher demand for homes that are as close to move in ready. This is because many buyers prefer to move in and enjoy the space rather than spending extra money for renovations.
Would you prefer to renovate, or find a house that is move-in ready? | Photo via Caroline Meyer
What are some areas home buyers might not know about?
Caroline noted two hidden gem neighborhoods that buyers should keep in mind when looking for a home. They are:
Jerome Village in Plain City which has a community pool and bar + grill as part of the homeowner’s association.
Evans Farm in Lewis Center will be its own little town with local shops, restaurants, dentists, playgrounds, multiple pools, outdoor sports center, and an amphitheater.
What are some things home buyers should keep an eye out for while doing an open house tour?
Make sure to look at all of the big ticket items. Walls, cabinets, doors, and trim can all be painted or updated fairly easily with little expense. Mechanicals such as a furnace, AC unit, water tanks, etc. can be costly.
Same with looking at the basement walls and exterior foundation for signs of shifting, water intrusion, and insulation discoloration. A real estate agent should be pointing out easy updates to add values as well as any items that may cause potential issues.
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Candle Pouring + Smudge Sticks | Wed., June 22 | 7 p.m. | Studio 614, 2487 Summit Street | $46 | Get creative at this beginner workshop + follow instructions to create two summer candles and three smudge sticks.
Jazz Wednesday | Wed., June 22 | 8 p.m. | Brothers Drake Meadery + Bar, 26 E. 5th Ave. | Free | Stop by every Wednesday for free, all-ages, local jazz music.
Thursday
Airplane! | Thurs., June 23-Fri., June 24 | Times vary | Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. | $10+ | This classic comedy stars Leslie Nelson in a parody of the disaster film genre. 🎥
Friday
Nitro Circus Live | Fri., June 24 | 7 p.m. | Huntington Park | $25 | Watch these daredevils attempt flips and tricks on dirt bikes, quads, and other off-road vehicles. 🏍
Randy Houser | Fri., June 24 | 7 p.m. | The Bluestone, 583 E. Broad St. | $35 | Catch this country singer, famous for hits like “Runnin’ Out of Moonlight,” with special guest Ella Langley. 🎸
Saturday
Cartoon Capers | Sat., June 25 | 10 a.m. | Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. | $10+ | Start your Saturday morning with classic cartoons like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. 📺
Tribute to Aretha Franklin | Sat., June 25 | 7 p.m. | Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. | $42+ | This tribute concert from the McNary Experience pays homage to all the popular hits from The Queen of Soul. 🎶
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
94º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain
Due to another week of high temperatures, Columbus Recreations & Parks is offeringfree entry to all city-owned pools. Additionally, selectspray grounds + community centers will offer extended hours from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. until Thursday.
Try This
Get ready to hop into Grandview Hop this Saturday as the local street festival returns from 5-9 p.m. along Grandview Avenue.This outdoor event offers 100+ pop-up vendors, local shops + restaurants, and family-friendly activities like arts and crafts.
Civic
The city of New Albany passed its largest tax abatement in city history after granting Intel a 30-year, 100% property tax exemption for its upcoming semiconductor factory. State laws only allow this to happen if the proposed business can generate at least $75 million in state payroll — which is far exceeded by Intel’s expected $100 billion investment. (Columbus Business First)
Community
Did you know the All People’s Fresh Marketoffersfree produce to hundreds of locals each day? This market runs exclusively through volunteers who donate their time and energy. No form of income proof is required to receive their goods — just some sort of identification like a drivers license. 🥕 (The Columbus Dispatch)
Gateway Film Center is offering free movies today from 12-6 p.m. to help the local community avoid the heatwave. Movie options include “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jurassic World Domination” + each visitor receives a free box of popcorn. 🍿 (10TV)
Real Estate
Looking to upgrade your current house? This 32,675 sqft mansionthat resides on 6.78 acres of land might be just what you’re looking for — if you have $8 million that is. This massive house comes with 16 bedrooms, 26 bathrooms, and an outdoor pool. 🏡
Plan Ahead
Did you miss the Columbus Pride Festival + Parade last weekend? Don’t worry — Grove City, Reynoldsburg, and Granville all host pride celebrations this week and other festivals, like Newark or Community Pride, take place in the fall. 🏳️🌈
Sports
The NBA Draft starts tomorrow night at 8 p.m. on ESPN with two former Ohio State Buckeyes vying for a spot on an NBA roster. Last year’s Freshman of the Year Malaki Branham + junior star E.J. Liddell are both projected to be drafted in the first round. 🏀
The Columbus Crew broke a franchise record when it signed striker Cucho Hernandez on Monday for $10+ million. The Crew traded striker Gysasi Zardes to make room for Cucho + the signing stands as the seventh highest in MLS history. 💰 (ABC6 On Your Side)
The Word
“Real estate resiliency.” The term coined by Opendoor to describe the dedicated approach to home ownership displayed by home buyers + sellers across the country, despite the highly competitive housing market. 🏡*
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Sundays are meant to be relaxing + that’s why we recommend stopping by Seventh Son Brewing Co. this weekend for calm vibes and cocktails on the upstairs patio.
While Chamber Brews, a new classical ensemble based in CBUS, will provide the tunes, Seventh Son will serve up specialty cocktails that pair with the performance. Tickets are $10 + cocktails are sold separately. The show kicks off at 5 p.m. and includes a special performance by Sharon Udoh, better known as Counterfeit Madison.
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Editor’s Pick: With the NBA Draft tomorrow, I’m eating up all the coverage I can find + this local feature on E.J. Lidell is too good to not share. Last time E.J. tested the professional waters, he was told he needed to sharpen his skills — and now, he’s a projected first-round draft pick. 🏀
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