Columbus is not just “having a moment.” It is in the middle of a long runway of growth that will reshape housing, infrastructure, and opportunity across Central Ohio for decades. For real estate professionals, that means more complexity, more responsibility, and more upside than ever before.

This article breaks down what is happening in our market, what the new rules of the game really mean, and how you can build a scalable, sustainable real estate business in Columbus without losing sight of your impact on the community.

Central Ohio Is Growing Faster Than Most People Realize

Regional planners project the 15-county Central Ohio region will grow to roughly 3.15 million residents by 2050, adding about 726,000 people, 272,000 households, and more than 350,000 workers in the next 25 years. MORPC+1

That is not abstract. It translates directly into:

• Ongoing demand for housing across price points

• Pressure on affordability, infrastructure, and schools

• A long arc of opportunity for agents who stay educated and engaged

Columbus has also been recognized nationally as a leader in growth and infrastructure. Site Selection’s 2025 Global Groundwork Index ranked the Columbus metro number one in the country for growth and infrastructure, with Ohio ranking among the top states for business. The Columbus Region+2WSYX+2

Add in major employers and projects in our backyard (Intel, Microsoft, Anduril, OSU, health systems, logistics hubs), and you have a market where “more people are coming” is not a slogan. It is the baseline.

For agents, the takeaway is simple: this is a market worth investing a career in. The question is not whether opportunity exists. It is whether you are building a business that can actually capture it.

What Today’s Market Really Looks Like For Agents

Central Ohio is no longer a “hidden gem.” It is a competitive, data-driven market where buyers and sellers expect expertise.

A few key trends:

• Prices continue to climb, but not at pandemic speed. The 2024 median sale price in Central Ohio reached about $319,900, up nearly 6 percent from 2023. columbusrealtors.com

• 2025 has pushed that higher. By August 2025, the median sales price reached roughly $338,000, with closed sales up year-over-year and inventory at its highest level in years. columbusrealtors.com+1

• New construction is expensive. Early 2025 data shows the median listing price for new builds around Columbus near $498,000, almost $200,000 higher than existing homes, which cluster closer to the low-to-mid $300s. Axios

• Rents have softened slightly. Recent reports show Columbus rents down around 3–4 percent year-over-year, still with a lower-than-average cost of living compared to other major metros. Investopedia

Clients often hear “Columbus is unaffordable now” or “you can’t find anything under X price.” The reality is more nuanced. There are still communities and product types that offer opportunities under the regional median, especially for flexible buyers willing to look beyond the most talked-about suburbs. columbusrealtors.com+1

Your value as an agent is not just in knowing what has sold. It is in helping people cut through headlines and understand what the data means for them and their specific goals.

Navigating The New Rules Around Compensation And Buyer Agreements

On top of market shifts, the way we structure and explain our services is changing.

Following the national commission settlement, practice changes that took effect in August 2024 now require: Ohio Bar Association+3National Association of REALTORS®+3National Association of REALTORS®+3

• No offers of compensation on the MLS. Listing agents can no longer publish cooperative compensation in MLS fields. Any compensation arrangements must be negotiated off-MLS.

• Written buyer agreements before showings. Agents working with buyers must have a written agreement in place before touring properties, clearly outlining services and how the agent will be compensated.

• More transparency and choice. Consumers still have flexibility in how they work with agents, but they will expect clearer explanations of value and fees.

For Columbus-area agents, this is not a reason to panic. It is a cue to level up:

• Clarify your value proposition in plain language.

• Get comfortable explaining compensation options without jargon.

• Use written buyer agreements as a trust-building tool, not just a legal requirement.

StyerREP agents have already been training around these changes with practical scripts, updated documents, and real-world scenarios, so conversations with clients feel natural instead of defensive.

Balancing Production With Community Impact

In a fast-growing city, real estate professionals sit at an important intersection: we are helping clients build wealth and stability, while also influencing the trajectory of neighborhoods, schools, and affordability.

A few realities to keep in mind:

• Growth is a double-edged sword. Major investments like Intel’s project in Licking County and related employers can lift property values and create jobs, but they also increase pressure on housing and infrastructure, especially for lower-income renters. Reuters+3Ohioline+3Ohio Real Title+3

• Schools and transportation matter. Regional leaders are pushing zoning updates, transit investments, and green-space planning so that growth does not leave certain communities behind. The Columbus Region+1

• Housing policy is local. From zoning and short-term rental rules to incentives for affordable housing, decisions at the city and suburb level shape what is possible for your clients.

As an agent, you are often the “first line of defense” for both homeowners and renters. Staying plugged into local associations, community groups, and municipal conversations is not just good citizenship. It makes you better at your job.

If you want a starting point, explore the different communities across Central Ohio and how they are growing at https://styerrep.com/explore/.

Building A Sustainable, Scalable Real Estate Career In Columbus

Central Ohio’s trajectory rewards agents who think beyond the next closing and start operating like business owners.

Here are a few themes we emphasize inside Styer Real Estate Professionals:

• Consistency beats heroics. The agents who win in a changing market are the ones who keep showing up, refining their systems, and learning from each cycle rather than chasing shortcuts.

• Collaboration matters. Committees, masterminds, “deal talk” sessions, and peer support are not fluff. They are how you build judgment, share solutions, and avoid burnout.

• Education is ongoing. Market stats, legal updates, and economic news are now core parts of your value. Block time every month to review trusted data sources, including Columbus REALTORS® reports and regional planning updates.

• Leadership starts where you are. You do not need a title to make an impact. Serving on a task force, mentoring a newer agent, or showing up to a zoning meeting are all ways to shape the future of our industry and our city.

If you are looking for a brokerage that treats you like a partner in that process, not just a license on a roster, learn more about our model at https://styerrep.com/join-us/.

Quick Tips

• Block 30 minutes each month to read the latest Central Ohio housing report and translate it into 2–3 client talking points.

• Build a simple, one-page explanation of your services and compensation to review with every new buyer before they sign an agreement.

• Choose one community issue (schools, affordability, transportation, zoning) and commit to staying informed and involved over the next year.

• Schedule a quarterly “business check-in” with a broker, coach, or peer to review your systems, not just your volume.

FAQs

Q1: Are there still affordable areas to buy in Central Ohio?
A1: Yes. While regional medians have risen into the low-to-mid $300s, there are still pockets across Central Ohio where buyers can find homes below that level, especially if they are open to different neighborhoods, property types, or slightly longer commutes. A data-driven agent can help you target those opportunities. columbusrealtors.com+1

Q2: How have the commission rule changes actually affected buyers and sellers?
A2: The biggest visible shifts are behind the scenes: compensation is no longer displayed in MLS fields, and buyers now sign written agreements earlier in the process. Consumers still have options in how they structure fees, but they will encounter more conversations about services and value up front. A well-trained agent will make this feel clearer and less confusing, not more. National Association of REALTORS®

Q3: Is it a good time to become (or stay) an agent in Columbus with all this change?
A3: For professionals who are willing to adapt, the answer is yes. Columbus is projected to add hundreds of thousands of residents and households over the coming decades and has been recognized nationally for growth and infrastructure strength. That demand will require knowledgeable, ethical agents who can guide people through a more complex landscape. MORPC+1

Conclusion

Central Ohio’s story is still being written. Population growth, corporate investment, and national rule changes are reshaping what it means to be a real estate professional here. The agents who will thrive are those who embrace change, stay rooted in service, and see themselves as part of the broader story of Columbus, not just individual transactions.

If you are an agent who wants to grow your production while staying grounded in community, collaboration, and coaching, we would love to connect. Learn more about how Styer Real Estate Professionals supports agents with production-focused coaching, systems, and a culture of shared leadership at https://styerrep.com/join-us/, and meet the team at https://styerrep.com/our-agents/