Rita Boswell Group, Real of Ohio

09/09/2026

The Central Ohio housing market hasn't stopped. It's just requiring a little more patience.

August ended with 5,892 homes for sale across the Columbus MLS, about 2.1 months of inventory and an average of 29 days on market.

But one of the more interesting numbers is this: pending sales actually increased from July to August.

Buyers are still buying. They're just being more selective.

For sellers, that means the first impression matters. A home that is priced correctly and shows well can still get strong attention. A home that misses the mark may take longer than we've gotten used to.

My takeaway from the August market:

Pricing + Presentation + Patience

I broke down the August numbers, including what's happening specifically in Delaware and Franklin counties, in my latest market update.

Read the August Central Ohio Housing Market Update:
https://ritaboswellgroup.com/blog/central-ohio-housing-market-august-2026

Rita Boswell Group, Real of Ohio

09/02/2026

Fall is almost here, and there is plenty happening around Central Ohio. 🍂

I put together a 2026 Central Ohio Fall Guide with some of the events and places worth adding to your list this year, including:

🍁 Fall festivals and 2026 event dates
🎃 Pumpkin farms and fall activities
🍂 Some of the best places to see fall color
🌳 Metro Parks worth exploring
🏮 Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival
🌼 Harvest Blooms at Franklin Park Conservatory
🚗 A few ideas for making a fall day of it

I intentionally didn't try to list every event happening around Columbus. This is more of a collection of places and activities I'd actually consider when deciding what to do on a nice fall weekend.

Save it for later and take a look at the full guide:
Fall in Central Ohio: https://ritaboswellgroup.com/blog/things-to-do-central-ohio-fall

Explore the best things to do in Central Ohio this fall, including 2026 festivals, fall color, pumpkin farms, Columbus events and easy fall day trips.

09/01/2026

One of the biggest reasons homeowners put off moving has nothing to do with whether they want a different house.

It’s the question of what happens to the house they already own.

Do you sell first and risk not having somewhere to go? Buy first and temporarily own two homes? Make your offer contingent on selling your current home?

There isn’t one answer that works for everyone.

I usually start by looking at the numbers, how difficult the next home may be to find and which situation makes the homeowner more uncomfortable. From there, we can build a plan that might include selling first, buying first, a home sale contingency, extra possession time after closing or a combination of those options.

The goal isn’t to make two real estate transactions magically line up on the same day. It’s to build enough flexibility into the plan that they don’t have to.

I went deeper into the different options here:
https://ritaboswellgroup.com/buying-a-home-while-selling-your-current-home

08/21/2026

Thinking about selling your home is one thing. Figuring out where you'll go next can be the harder part.

I've worked with homeowners who know they want something different, but they haven't quite figured out what "different" looks like yet. Maybe it's lower property taxes, less maintenance, being closer to family or work, a particular school district, more privacy, or simply a home that fits this stage of life better.

Instead of starting with a house, start by thinking about what you'd like your everyday life to look like after the move.

I put together a deeper guide to help you compare Central Ohio communities and think through what matters before choosing where to live next.

👉 Read: https://ritaboswellgroup.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-central-ohio-community

08/12/2026

🏠 INVESTOR OPPORTUNITY | OBETZ | $249,900

Back on the market after the previous buyer’s financing fell through. Nothing to do with the property, which means another investor now has an opportunity to grab it.

📍 3998 Garrard Drive, Obetz
💰 $249,900
🛏 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths
🚗 2-car garage
🌳 Fenced backyard
🏠 Vacant and ready for a new owner

This could be a great addition to a rental portfolio. With the property now vacant, an investor can place their own tenant, establish current market rent, and start fresh without taking over an existing lease.

The home has neutral finishes, updated flooring throughout much of the home, a fenced backyard and attached 2-car garage, all features that should appeal to prospective tenants.

Priced with a quick sale in mind.

Message me directly with questions or to arrange a showing.

Full details & photos:
https://ritaboswellgroup.com/3998-garrard-drive

Rita Boswell | Rita Boswell Group, Real of Ohio

View photos and detailed information for 3998 Garrard Drive, Obetz, OH 43207 - Columbus & Central Ohio MLS, MLS #226024456, don't miss your chance to own this hot property!

08/11/2026

Sellers sometimes spend thousands updating the wrong things.

I once worked with a seller who had replaced perfectly good kitchen cabinets before calling me. The kitchen looked beautiful, but during showings, buyers kept talking about something else: the worn carpet upstairs.

That’s the tricky part about getting a home ready to sell. The improvements that cost the most aren’t always the ones buyers notice most.

Fresh paint, flooring, lighting, clean caulk, cabinet hardware and even a cleaned-up front entry can sometimes have more impact than a major renovation.

Before you start spending money, it helps to look at your home through a buyer’s eyes.

I wrote more about what buyers actually notice and where I’d usually recommend spending money before listing. I’ll put the article in the comments.

And if you’re thinking about selling in the Columbus area, I’m always happy to walk through your home with you before you start making improvements.

07/28/2026

A long inspection report doesn't necessarily mean there's something seriously wrong with the house.

I recently worked with sellers who received a 22-item repair request after the buyer's home inspection. At first glance, it looked overwhelming. But once we went through the report together, only one item truly needed attention. The rest were typical maintenance items or normal wear that many homes have.

One thing many sellers don't realize is that a home inspection report isn't ranked by importance. A loose doorknob, a drywall crack, and a failing water heater can all look equally serious on paper.

Knowing which repairs are worth negotiating and which ones aren't can save you money and help keep your transaction moving.

I explain how I evaluate inspection repair requests and what sellers should know before responding in my latest blog.

🔗 Read it here:

Learn which home inspection repairs are worth negotiating, what buyers usually request, and how Central Ohio sellers can respond without giving away more than necessary.

07/25/2026

🏡 Just Listed in Powell | Scioto Reserve

Some homes simply have more room to live.

Welcome to 4456 Scioto Parkway, a beautifully maintained 5-level split in the highly desirable Scioto Reserve golf course community, served by Olentangy Schools.

Inside you'll find more than 3,200 square feet designed for both everyday living and entertaining, including:

✔️ 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths
✔️ Dramatic two-story great room filled with natural light
✔️ Spacious kitchen with stone countertops and center island
✔️ Private owner's suite with bonus room perfect for an office, nursery, fitness room, or sitting area
✔️ Finished lower level with full bath for guests, recreation, or media space
✔️ Nearly one-third acre lot with patio, deck, and room to enjoy outdoors

Residents also enjoy neighborhood amenities including a clubhouse, pool, sidewalks, nearby parks, and convenient access to shopping, dining, and major commuting routes.

Take a look through the photos and schedule your private showing today.

📍4456 Scioto Parkway, Powell, OH

🔗 https://4456sciotopa.thebestlisting.com

Rita Boswell Group, Real of Ohio

Get the Current Price, Photos, Details & More Now!

07/24/2026

🌳 𝙇𝙚𝙬𝙞𝙨 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩-𝙆𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙄𝙨 𝘼𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝘼𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣...

Sometimes the right home becomes available twice.

Due to an unexpected change in the buyers' circumstances, this beautiful custom home in Waverly Place is back on the market. The home itself wasn't the reason, which means another buyer now has the chance they may have missed.

Set on nearly one wooded acre, this home offers over 4,100 square feet of living space, a main-floor owner's suite, soaring ceilings with abundant natural light, a finished walkout lower level, and multiple outdoor spaces designed for relaxing and entertaining.

It's the kind of property that's hard to find. Private, peaceful, and still just minutes from Polaris, parks, shopping, and dining.

If you've been looking for a home that offers both space and privacy without sacrificing convenience, I'd love to show it to you.

Call/text 614-767-5353 to learn more or schedule a showing.

Rita Boswell Group, Real of Ohio

Get the Current Price, Photos, Details & More Now!

07/21/2026

When people ask whether a seller should pay the buyer's agent, I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all answer.

A recent experience reminded me why.

A seller offered one of my clients a home before it ever hit the market. The price looked attractive at first, but it didn't include buyer broker compensation.

Once we compared the home to truly similar sales and looked at her total investment, the picture changed. The house itself wasn't the issue. The overall cost was.

That's why I encourage sellers to think about buyer broker compensation as part of their overall pricing strategy, not as a last-minute decision after the home is listed.

The price buyers see isn't always the number they evaluate. They look at the total cost of buying the home.

If you're planning to sell, this is one of several conversations worth having before your home goes on the market.

🏡 Read the full article here:

Do sellers have to pay the buyer's agent in Ohio? Learn how buyer broker compensation works, how it affects offers, and what Lewis Center sellers should know before listing.