Local home sales rose 9.5 percent in October, with 2,781 homes sold, according to statistics from Columbus Realtors.

Home prices and the number of homes for sale also continued to increase.

The average price for a home sold in the Columbus region last month was $373,797, which is 3.3 percent higher than in October 2024, according to Columbus Realtors.

The average sale price is up 3 percent this year at $377,121.

The number of homes available for purchase last month was 21.2 percent higher than a year earlier, with 5,913 homes on the market.

The last time inventory exceeded 6,000 units was in September 2016, according to Columbus Realtors.

It is also taking longer for homeowners to sell their homes.

The average number of days on the market before a home is sold has climbed from 28 days a year ago to 34 days, a 21.4 percent increase.

The number of homes sold so far this year is up 2.9 percent compared to the first 10 months of 2024.

The median sales price increased by 3.2 percent year-over-year, climbing from $315,000 to $325,000. Year-to-date, the median sales price in central Ohio stands at $329,000, below the national median of $415,200 reported by the National Association of Realtors last month.

One area coming in below the region’s median price was the South-Western City School District in Grove City, which had 188 closed sales in October, 14.6 percent higher than a year ago, at a median sales price of $306,000, down 3.2 percent from last year.

Lancaster (61 sales, $265,000 median price), Newark (60 sales, $247,450 median price), and Marion (52 sales, $182,500 median price) also had strong sales. The Hilliard City School District recorded 103 sales with a median price of $387,000.

Mortgage rates, which often influence potential home buyers, fell in October, reaching their lowest point of 2025, and are currently hovering around 6.25 percent for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Condominium sales in central Ohio rose 4 percent last month and are up 0.4 percent this year.

Statewide, home sales increased 3.8 percent last month compared to a year earlier, according to Ohio Realtors.

There were 11,662 homes sold across the state last month compared to the 11,224 homes sold in October 2024.

The median sales price across Ohio increased to $262,000, up 5.6 percent from $248,000 the previous year.

“October’s numbers show steady momentum and growing confidence in Ohio real estate,” said Ohio Realtors President Michelle Billings. “Buyers remain motivated to invest in homeownership, and sellers are meeting that demand with increased listing activity. Ohio continues to deliver value, stability, and opportunity statewide.”

Active listings reached 36,825 in October, a 6.6 percent increase year-over-year, compared to 34,525 in October 2024 and 30,941 in October 2023.

That marks continued improvement after several years of tight supply.

Ohio ended October with 3.53 months of housing supply, a 4.8 percent increase from the same period last year.

While inventory is improving, the market still favors sellers. A six-month supply is generally considered a balanced market, according to Ohio Realtors.