There’s a lot of talk right now about whether the housing market has finally shifted in buyers’ favor. The better question may be: which housing market?

Nationally, buyers are gaining leverage in many areas as inventory improves. Here in Northeast Ohio, July’s numbers tell a somewhat different story. Active listings increased year-over-year in Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, and Stark counties — but so did the number of homes sold. Prices per square foot also increased in all four counties, homes averaged 100% of list price, and months of supply remained between just 1.4 and 2.0 months.

In other words, buyers may have more choices than they did before, but our local market still strongly rewards sellers who price and prepare their homes well. And for buyers, understanding financing — and knowing where you may have room to negotiate — matters just as much as finding the right house.

This month, we’re looking at five questions that can help you make smarter decisions in today’s market:

🔹 What’s Happening in the Local Market? – Updated July stats for Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, and Stark counties

🔹 Who Has the Upper Hand? – Why the answer depends heavily on where you live
🔹 Why Are Mortgage Rates Still So High? – What’s really driving today’s rates
🔹 Should You Put 20% Down? – How equity could make your next purchase more affordable
🔹 What Kind of Homes Will Buyers Pay More For? – Why flexible, multi-generational spaces are gaining value

The headlines may describe “the housing market” as if it’s one thing. Your neighborhood — and your personal situation — can tell a very different story. If you’d like to know what these trends mean for your home or your plans, I’m always happy to dig into the local numbers with you.