Parsons Real Estate Group

08/29/2026

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08/27/2026

There is a local builder offering seriously discounted interest rates on a few select "inventory homes" in these areas.

Three different programs:
1. Year 1= 2.99%, year 2= 3.99%, remaining 28 years= 4.99%.

2. FHA and VA -30 year fixed, 4.99%, downpayment of 0% or 3.5%

3. 7/6 ARM, starting at 4.5% with 10% downpayment.

A few homes in each of the following are eligible.
Marysville, Grove City, Powell, Galloway, Galena, Plain City, Hilliard, Lewis Center, and Dublin (Townhomes at Bridge Park).

Text Mike if you would like further info: 614-226-6503

08/26/2026

Columbus Real Estate |8.24.26

I recently came across this perspective from Matt Laricy, one of Chicago’s top real estate brokers, and it immediately resonated with me. It’s almost exactly how I’m seeing the Columbus market right now, and more importantly, the psychology and sentiment I’m sensing in the air.

“This time of year always reminds me how much of life comes down to getting back into a routine.

Kids are going back to school. Parents are figuring out drop-offs and pickups. Vacations are ending. People are squeezing in one last trip. Work schedules are getting serious again.

Even the gym is packed again.

Everyone is trying to get back into some type of routine at the exact same time.

And that's really what seasonality in real estate is.

I talk about seasonality in real estate in four quadrants.

The Spring Wave.

The Summer Shift.

The Fall Market.

The Holiday Market.

And right now, we're sitting in that weird spot between the Summer Shift and the Fall Market. People's lives change.

Their routines change. And the market changes with them.

I've had multiple buyers tell me this week that they absolutely need to buy, but the kids are going back to school and they're trying to figure out drop-off, pickup, work schedules and everything else.

"We'll circle back when we get our heads above water."

And I'm basically telling them, "I get it. Just understand that place you want to see might be gone."

And their response is basically:

That's fine.

We'll figure it out.

They still need to buy. They just have other things going on right now.

Then you've got people without kids squeezing in one last summer trip. We've had clients tell us they're heading to the lake house because they want to enjoy it as much as they can before they have to close it up in the next couple weeks.

On the seller side, we're hearing a different version of the exact same thing.

"Should we list now or wait until after Labor Day?"

We have sellers who want to list right now. They just can't get the property ready.

They're traveling. Work deadlines are hitting. Summer plans are wrapping up. Kids are going back to school.

So they say, "Let's just do it after Labor Day."

And when enough people make these little decisions at the same time, inventory changes.

Then something else starts happening.

Buyers get a little cockier.

In the spring, we could put a hot property on the market and get 30 showings.

If I told a buyer there were multiple offers, they believed it.

There was no debate. If they wanted it, they knew they had to go.

Now maybe that same type of property gets five showings.

It can still get multiple offers. It can still sell immediately. It can still sell over asking.

But five feels a lot different than 30.

Now I tell a buyer there are multiple offers and you can almost hear them thinking: "Yeah, but how serious are they?"

"Are those people really going to go that crazy?"

"Do I really need to go that high?"

"Maybe I'll just wait and see what happens."

And that's part of the shift. Buyers aren't necessarily gone. They're just starting to question things a little more.

They see more inventory. They see some properties sitting a little longer. They see price changes.

So instead of automatically going all in, they're more willing to take their chances.

At the exact same time, sellers are starting to realize it's not spring anymore.

We've had a bunch of inspections kill deals this week.

Buyers are asking for things that aren't necessarily crazy, but some sellers are still thinking like it's April.

They push back.

Except now the buyer is more willing to say: "Fine. I'll go find something else."

And sometimes they do.

We've also seen more price changes.

Some sellers are looking at the calendar and saying, "I want to get this sold before the summer is over."

So they drop the price.

Then buyers see more properties sitting and more price changes, and they get a little more confident that something else will come along.

It's a weird cycle.

Multiple offers haven't disappeared.

Good properties haven't stopped selling.

The attitude has just changed.

Less: "I HAVE to get this place."

More: "If somebody else wants it that badly, let them have it."

We're also starting to see the beginning of what I call the Fall Buyer.

They're a completely different animal than the buyer we see in March and April. But they're starting to show up.

This happens every year.

It just hits a little differently every time.

And I wouldn't read too much into two weird weeks at the end of August.

We're leaving the Summer Shift and entering the Fall Market.

There's always this weird transition period between the two.

People need a minute to get their kids back to school, finish the last trip, get caught up at work and figure out their schedules again.

Then we'll see what the Fall Market actually looks like.

Right now, we're just between quadrants.

You know you're going somewhere. You're just not exactly sure when you're getting there or exactly how it will look.”

08/22/2026

The tables have turned: Florida and Texas are the biggest losers in the housing market as Ohio emerges a surprise winner

1. The housing market is shifting

The pandemic-era boom in Florida and Texas is cooling as buyers prioritize affordability and value.

More inventory is giving buyers leverage.

2. Ohio is emerging as a winner

Ohio offers significantly better affordability than many competing markets.

Columbus stands out with 7%+ annual price growth and a relatively balanced market. (i’ll add: this is arguable by sub-market)

3. Why Columbus?

Strong job growth, population growth and major investment, particularly Intel.

A combination of affordability, economic opportunity and housing demand gives Columbus staying power.

4. Florida & Texas face headwinds

Higher inventory, insurance costs, property taxes and affordability challenges are weakening some Sunbelt markets.

My Take

Whats going on in the Sunbelt makes perfect sense. These markets experienced a record influx of new residents through the pandemic years that wasn’t sustainable. Prices rose ridiculously(3x) in that time. Parts of FL and Texas have always been bubble markets. Property values need to re-calibrate and probably have another 5-10% to fall over the next year in some markets. There is a perfect storm of “sunbelt unique” drags to these markets at the moment: International buyers retreating, higher interest rates, ballooning homeowners insurance, busted airbnb’s, over-building, higher % of condos in these markets (condo regulation headwinds), all amounting to the supply of new homes overwhelming the pace of current buyer demand.

Having said all of this…I believe that the next couple years will be an amazing opportunity for Baby Boomers to sell high in Ohio and buy low in Florida. The perfect arbitrage. Values in some coastal markets are down -20+% from 4 years ago. You won’t be able to keep FL’s beachball underwater for long. They will sort out their supply in the following couple years, absorb the supply, and be back to the races. (Caveat: Older high rise condos sorting through new regulation/assessments and high risk insurance spots may have farther to fall first, and may be closer to 3 years away from the bottom.)

08/18/2026

What I’m Seeing in the trenches.

The biggest story is that older, equity-rich homeowners are disproportionately driving both sides of the market, while younger first-time buyers are struggling to enter.
The big picture for Columbus in 2026

The market is increasingly divided into two groups:

1. Equity-rich repeat buyers/sellers …primarily Boomers and Gen X

Have owned homes for many years.

Have substantial accumulated equity.

More capable of making large down payments or buying cash.

More likely to be selling because of downsizing, retirement, lifestyle, inheritance/family considerations, or moving closer to family.

Represent a surprisingly large percentage of both buyers and sellers.

2. Younger buyers trying to break into ownership

Primarily younger Millennials.

Often have good incomes but insufficient accumulated equity.

More sensitive to mortgage rates and monthly payment.

First-time buyers are now considerably older than they historically have been.

Competing against buyers who can put down 20–40% or pay cash.

NAR describes the 2026 market essentially as a divide between homeowners with equity and first-time buyers trying to get in.

Who is Buying right now?
2026 buyer demographics
Here's the most useful breakdown:

Baby Boomers, (age 61-79) 42% of Buyers

Millenials, (age 27-45), 26% of Buyers

Generation X, (age 46-60), 25% of Buyers

Generation Z, (age 18-26), 4% of Buyers

The striking number is 42% Boomers.

Millennials, despite being a huge population cohort, represent only 26% of buyers.

The dominant market players have flip flopped…

Interesting observations vs. a Few Years Ago.

Baby Boomers- Just a few years ago, we would have seen Half as many in the Boomers age group buying/selling. They were talking but not acting.

Why are they now dominating the market?

1. Many hitting their mid 70’s, FINALLY deciding to downsize.

2. Builders finally pumping out “first floor living” homes and condos.

3. They have the most CASH and equity and are interest rate insensitive. (they lived through 18% rates)

4. Typically moving to be closer to kids/grandkids. Its now clear to them their Millenial children aren’t coming back.

The Millenials- A few years ago, 27-45 year olds were 2X more active than they are today, probably 45-50% of the market then. Previously, 30-45 years old’s were often buying for the 2nd and 3rd time. Today, they are often only “first time buyers”. The average “first time home buyer” age is 40 years old.

Generation Z- would have been 3-4times more active a few years ago when interest rates made buying more attainable. Then, many first time homebuyers were 24-26 years old. Today, it is very rare for this age group to be buying, and if they are, it is with Mommy and Daddy $. Most kids in their mid 20s aren’t getting married that soon, don’t have a second household income, don’t have a significant downpayment, and can’t afford a $3k+ payment.

These are huge demographic shifts compared to a few years ago.

07/21/2026

Mid century ranch in Clintonville with inground pool for under $500k. Coming Soon! DM me for details.

07/17/2026

We are a small family business that works 100% by referral. In a world of big box brokers that focus on corporate goals and finding new ways to add fees, we've always believed our job is much simpler: protect our clients' interests and help them make smart real estate decisions.

With more than 75 years of combined experience, we've learned that buying or selling a home isn't about flashy marketing—it's about strong advice, skilled negotiation, and having someone in your corner when it matters most.

If you have friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers thinking about buying or selling, we'd truly appreciate you sharing our name. We promise to treat them like family.
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What I’m Seeing


What We've Been Seeing in the Trenches
Here are the five transactions we've been involved with over the past 30 days:

#1. Buyer Representation

Negotiated the purchase at full list price, then secured substantial closing cost credits and labor concessions after the home inspection.

#2. Seller Representation

Generated multiple offers, selected a cash buyer $5,000 over asking, and successfully navigated inspection negotiations that ultimately reduced the final price by approximately $10,000 due to significant repair items.

#3. Buyer Representation

Negotiated $15,000 below list price, then secured an additional $10,000 roof concession after inspections—for a total of $25,000 in savings for our buyers.

#4. Seller Representation

Reduced the list price by $10,000 after the first week. The home sold the following week at the new asking price with seller-paid closing cost assistance and only a short list of inspection repairs.

#5. Off-Market Transaction

Matched buyer and seller without another brokerage involved. Both parties agreed on price quickly, with the seller providing a few thousand dollars in labor concessions to satisfy FHA appraisal and lending requirements.

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Market Observations
The market has continued to evolve as we've moved from the highly competitive spring market into summer.

Buyers Have More Leverage
Since early June, buyers have gained noticeably more negotiating power than they had during March through May. While well-priced homes are still selling, buyers are feeling much less pressure to waive inspections or overpay.

Condition Matters More Than Ever
Presentation and condition are becoming major differentiators. Homes that show like a 9 or 10 continue to attract strong interest. Homes with deferred maintenance or average presentation are much more likely to see buyers negotiate aggressively up front.

Fewer Showings...But Better Buyers
One of the biggest changes we've noticed is the quality of buyer traffic.

In the spring, a home might receive 10 showings during its first week and generate one or two offers if priced right.

Today, that same home may only receive three or four showings…yet still produce one or two offers.

There are simply fewer buyers shopping, but the ones who are out looking tend to be qualified, serious, and ready to make decisions.

It seems like this is Vacation Summer…maybe its just my sphere of influence is at that age with kids/vacations…i don’t know. Just seems like everyone is always out of town and unfocused on buying/selling ths summer. Others have mentioned this phenomenon too. I suspect we will see a pop right before school starts this year due to this, we will see.

Buyers Are Adjusting to the New Market
During late spring we still saw some buyers writing offers as though they were competing against ten other buyers.

As June and July have progressed, buyers are beginning to realize they have more negotiating power and fewer competitors. We expect that confidence to continue growing as we move into the back-to-school season.

I heard a story from a listing agent the other day who had 2 showings the first week, both showings happened at the same time creating a brief illusion of competition for both buyers. The listing agent put up a good front to the one interested party who had previously lost a deal and who went in aggressively over list price/as-is that Monday. The second buyer never had any interest and there were no other showings scheduled. The reality is the buyer probably could have slow played it and the results would have been paying $10k under list price vs the $10k over list price/ no remedy they got spooked into paying.

This happens more than you would think and always in the Spring to Summer transition. Posturing without crossing the line as a listing agent is an artform.

Inventory Is Up...But Quality Is Down
Housing inventory has increased modestly, but much of that additional inventory consists of average homes rather than exceptional ones. Well-prepared, well-priced homes continue to stand out. I suspect inflation catching up and bills getting tight are responsible for the inventory uptick. This is showing itself with listings with deferred maintenance, sellers looking to make a lifestyle downshift, but with unrealistic price expectations. The inventory numbers are up but buyers don’t feel like they are seeing better attractive options out there.

Some Sellers Are Facing New Expectations
The market hasn't dramatically shifted toward buyers—but seller expectations haven't fully adjusted either.

Many homeowners still expect multiple offers simply because that's what happened a year or two ago. Today's market is more balanced. I have heard multiple agent stories of sellers that get an offer and go sour, disapointed they only get one. Totally updated homes still sell quickly, but pricing, preparation, and presentation matter more than ever.

Who's Moving?
The majority of sellers we see continue to be Baby Boomers who are downsizing, relocating closer to kids, or simplifying their lifestyles.

Meanwhile, many “move-up” buyers remain "rate locked." They're staying put unless a significant life change—or a meaningful increase in income—makes moving worthwhile despite today's mortgage rates.

As always, every home and every situation is different. If you're wondering what today's market means for your own home—or for someone you know—we're always happy to have a conversation. No pressure. Just honest advice.

Those darn Wall Street/Private Equity homebuyers won’t leave!

The US has witnessed a significant decline in institutional homebuying activity—except in Columbus, OH. Note: 14% of homes in the 43068 zip code are owned by institutions per Parci Labs.

My Take

Click on the article and see what the institutional buyers are thinking about us…Why do they love Cbus so much?

I personally think they are desperate for a value story and over confident on their return expectations. Regardless, in the meantime, they are determined to make asset management fees by deploying hundreds of millions in our backyard, screwing up the first time homebuyer market place. They are focused in outskirt areas like Reynoldsburg/Canal Winchester/Blacklick/Groveport, etc…where institutions own over 10% of homes. What I was very surprised to see-this infatuation is very unique to parts of Cbus as institutinally owned homes are less than 1% nationwide. When you see this your realize all the other national statistics about Institutional homebuying mean nothing. Wall street funds are doubling down on Midwest areas (Cbus/Cinci) where they perceive the demographic/income/rent/growth story to be favorable compared to everywhere else in the country. Crazy.

I do not expect the new Federal Governments 21st Century New Road to Housing Act to do anything to reverse what has already been done or bring many new homes to market. Hopefully it will slightly discourage future single home purchases. The big guys are good at finding loopholes though. I expect they will now focus most of their capital on building new wholly owned, rental subdivisions (called Build to Rent) which are exempt from the law. Potentially, at least minimizing competition for first time home buyers moving forward.

Hey Mike, your opinion is everything to us.
Could you take 1 minute to leave us a simple Google Review?
It would mean the world to us!
Thanks Mike and Gary

06/20/2026

🏡 JUST LISTED | 2347 Collins Dr. | Worthington, OH

📍Location. Charm. Lifestyle. This is the Worthington home you've been waiting for!

Nestled in one of Worthington's most desirable neighborhoods, this beautiful home offers the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and timeless appeal.

✨ Features You'll Love:
✅ Desirable Worthington location
✅ Spacious floor plan with finished basement and a large 3 car garage
✅ Screened porch and beautiful outdoor living space
✅ A short walk to Perry Park
✅ Location-Easy access to everything, yet insulated from everything.
$679,900

Whether you're looking for more space, a great neighborhood, or a place to call home for years to come, 2347 Collins Dr. deserves a spot at the top of your list.

📅 Schedule your private showing today before this opportunity is gone!

📲 Call or Text Gary Parsons at 614-563-3822
More info at www.2347Collins.com

06/17/2026

What I'm Seeing in the Columbus, OH Real Estate Market

Just got back from vacation! It was great to spend a week with Renee in Longboat Key and Dunedin, FL. I was even able to sell a home and negotiate 2 remedy requests while away… It’s not easy taking a vacation as a real agent, the market never stops. Thanks Gary!

What I'm Seeing🧐
🔎The market is a bit inconsistent. This was apparent this week when I received a few phone calls from busy agents asking how my showing count went on a recent listing launch. One home might have 31 showings the first weekend while another in a similar area gets 2. Even the veteran agents are confused by the inconsistency.

🔍Vacations/distractions. April/May were super hot as usual. As school ends we see attention shift to vacations in June which feels like an immediate cooling in activity post Memorial Day.

🔎Over confident sellers. The inconsistent market activity sometimes is a shock to some sellers who think it’s still 2021. “What do you mean I didn’t get 5 offers?” “What do you mean they are asking for repairs?”

🔍The higher end is more active than the lower end. Ex: $800k home with nice updates gets 35 showings and 6 offers. $400k home gets 4 showings and 2 offers.

🔎Not uncommon for the winning bidders of homes in the $400-500k range (first time buyers) to have family financing/downpayment help. Affordability is limiting the traffic count for average homes in the lower price ranges. The buyers that are out there in the lower price ranges are typically very serious and qualified but there are fewer.

🔍It needs to be special to get them off the couch. We continue to see buyers become pickier with homes that need updating/work/remodeling. The homes with the bidding wars are 10s. The homes that get a couple offers are 9s. Homes that are 6’s, 7’s, and 8’s (most homes) are experiencing lower showing counts/offers and potentially price adjustments.

🔎Homes with high architectural/character appeal are outperforming. Think Rush Creek… Mid Century Modern style…and Remodeled vintage homes in Worthington/UA/Clintonville.

🔍First floor living-Homes with first floor owners suites/patio homes are few to come to market but well traveled when they do. The top 50% of the baby boomers seem immune to affordability issues and are out there touring.

06/03/2026

🚨 New Listing Alert in Worthington 🚨
$429,900

Get an exclusive first look at this stunning new property before it officially hits the market tomorrow. This ranch in Worthington Estates is offered at a great price for the neighborhood. If you are looking for “first floor living”, this home is one you won’t want to miss.

Take a walk through with me and see what makes this listing so special. Stay tuned for full details when it launches tomorrow!

📩 Message me for more information or to schedule a private showing.