If the Greater Cincinnati housing market has felt a little different lately, the July numbers help explain why.

We’re seeing more homes for sale, more new listings and more closed sales than we did a year ago. At the same time, home prices continue to hold strong.

In other words, the market hasn’t stopped—it’s shifting. And depending on whether you’re buying or selling, that shift is creating some interesting opportunities.

The July Numbers at a Glance

The median sales price reached $325,000 in July, up 1.7% from a year ago.

Even more encouraging, 2,092 homes sold during the month—an increase of 5.1% year over year. Total sales volume climbed 6.4% to more than $825 million.

But perhaps the most important number is inventory.

There were 3,815 active listings, up 7.1% from last July, while 2,978 new listings came on the market—an 8.6% increase.

That means buyers finally have a few more choices.

Are We Moving Toward a More Balanced Market?

For the past several years, Greater Cincinnati sellers have benefited from extremely limited inventory. Buyers often had to make quick decisions, compete against multiple offers and compromise on their wish lists.

That environment is beginning to change.

More homes are coming onto the market, and the median time to sell increased to 9 days, up 12.5% from last year.

Nine days is certainly not a slow market! But the direction of the numbers matters. Buyers have a little more breathing room, and sellers are facing a little more competition.

We think that’s actually a healthy development.

What This Means if You're Selling

The good news for homeowners is that prices are still rising and homes are still selling. Greater Cincinnati continues to be a strong housing market.

But simply putting a home on the market and expecting buyers to compete for it isn't necessarily the best strategy anymore.

With more homes to choose from, buyers are paying closer attention to price, condition, presentation and location. Homes that show beautifully and are positioned correctly can still sell very quickly. Homes that miss the mark may sit while buyers move on to the next option.

That makes the decisions you make before your home hits the market increasingly important.

And Buyers? You May Finally Have Some Breathing Room.

If you stepped away from the market because you were tired of bidding wars and having very few homes to choose from, it may be worth taking another look.

Inventory is improving, and nearly 3,000 new listings entered the Greater Cincinnati market in July alone.

That doesn't mean bargains are suddenly everywhere—prices remain strong. But buyers may have more opportunities to compare homes, negotiate and make a thoughtful decision rather than feeling pressured to grab the first house that works.

The Bottom Line

July's numbers tell us something important: Greater Cincinnati real estate remains healthy, but the market is becoming more balanced.

Prices are up. Sales are up. Inventory is up.

That's a very different story from a market where rising inventory is accompanied by falling prices and declining sales.

And it also means there isn't one strategy that works for every home or every buyer anymore.

Some neighborhoods and price ranges remain extremely competitive, while others are moving more slowly. Knowing what's happening in your specific market—not just Greater Cincinnati as a whole—can make a significant difference in the decisions you make.

If you're wondering what your home's value looks like in today's market, or whether now might be a better time to start looking for your next home, we'd be happy to take a closer look with you.

Besl, Baden & Jones
Connections. Integrity. Service.