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-Merge since 2020, for an open house tour of the trends she’s noticed this year.

Caroline said buyers are more likely to purchase a home that is move-in ready | 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.

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 that is a part of the homeowners 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.