Explore Ohio Real Estate

There’s a good reason why Ohio’s slogan is “The Heart of It All.” Located roughly halfway between Chicago and New York, this state is a microcosm of everything that makes the East Coast great. From natural beauty, to excellent schools, to vibrant culture, to friendly people, it’s all here in Ohio.

The Ohio Real Estate Market

Ohio is located in the Midwest and has a population of about 11.6 million people. It has a territory of around 40,000 square miles and is bounded by Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.

According to data from Zillow.com (as of 2021), the typical home in Ohio costs about $168,000. This represents a 10% growth over the past year, largely due to the effects of the current pandemic.

Now that most people can work from home, they are eager to exit more expensive cities and move to cheaper, less congested regions like Ohio. The increased housing demand in the state, in turn, paved the way for increasing home prices.

The good news is that would-be buyers have plenty of real estate options to choose from. Condominiums are an excellent choice for newlyweds or career-driven professionals, while single-family homes are suited for growing families. Meanwhile, those who wish to live in luxury can invest in multi-million dollar mansions.

Key Property Markets

Different parts of the state also offer different kinds of lifestyles. Buyers who want to live in a vibrant city would do well to settle in Cleveland or Columbus. On the other hand, those who want a more rural setting will surely love places like Geneva-on-the-Lake or Marietta. If you’re keen on moving to Ohio, take a look at its top real estate markets:

  • Columbus
    Population: 898,000 | Average Home Price: $191,000
  • Cleveland
    Population: 381,000 | Average Home Price: $80,000The largest city on the shore of Lake Erie, Cleveland is experiencing something of a renaissance and is attracting young professionals in droves. After all, it’s one of the most affordable housing markets in the country, with property prices well below the national average. It's rich in attractions too, such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
  • Akron
    Population: 197,000 | Average Home Price: $85,000 Nature lovers gravitate towards Akron because of its proximity to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The city is also often dubbed as “Polymer Valley” because tire companies like Goodyear are headquartered here. Fun fact: it’s also LeBron James’ hometown!
  • Euclid
    Population: 44,000| Average Home Price: $103,000Access is the name of the game in Euclid, a peaceful suburban city in Cuyahoga County. With its proximity to Interstate 271, Interstate 90, and Ohio Route 2, downtown Cleveland and Lake County are both just a short drive away.
  • Cleveland Heights
    Population: 44,000| Average Home Price: $146,800Cleveland Heights is one of the most diverse cities in Ohio, with over 50% of its population being a minority. This diversity translates into the city’s attractions as well, which feature an eclectic mix of jazz bars, outdoor performance venues, and wine tasting rooms, among others.
  • Middleburg Heights
    Population: 15,000 | Average Home Price: $203,000Middleburg Heights bills itself as the City for All Seasons because no matter what your life stage might be, you’ll surely love living here. It has an award-winning community center and grants easy access to Cleveland Metroparks and Big Creek Parkway.
  • Westlake
    Population: 32,000 | Average Home Price: $297,000If you want easy access to Cleveland but want a quiet, suburban environment, Westlake is the ideal city for you. It’s one of Ohio’s more expensive property markets, yet home prices here are markedly lower compared to other states.
  • Beachwood
    Population: 11,500 | Average Home Price: $357,000Cleveland Magazine hailed Beachwood as the best place to live in Cuyahoga County in 2017—and for good reason. The city is all about quality of life, boasting safe neighborhoods, highly rated schools, superb public amenities, and a world-class shopping district.
  • Hudson
    Population: 22,000 | Average Home Price: $397,000Hudson is often referred to as the jewel of Northeast Ohio because of its excellent quality of life. The city’s main attraction is the historic district, whose shops and restaurants are housed in structures dating back to the early 1900s. Unsurprisingly, the area commands some of the highest property prices in the state.

ALL ABOUT OHIO

True to its moniker, Ohio offers something for everyone. Is it any wonder why over 76,000 people moved into the state between 2015 and 2018? To understand why people love living here, let’s take a deep dive into the Buckeye State.

History of Ohio

Most people are surprised to learn that Ohio wasn’t formally admitted into the Union until 1953. That said, its long and fascinating history helps illuminate what makes this state one of the best places to live in.

Pre-Columbian Period:

The Adena Native Americans first inhabited the land that would become Ohio. These early people subsisted by hunting game and planting crops like sunflowers and squash.

  • 1670: Rene-Robert Cavelier discovers the region and claims it for France.
  • 1750: The Ohio Company of Virginia is established and jostles for control of the area. As a result, France eventually cedes its claim to Britain in 1763.
  • 1787: The Northwest Ordinance is passed, which creates the Northwest Territory. The act mandates that at least three new states be formed from this region, the first of which is Ohio.
  • 1788: Marietta is established, becoming the first permanent settlement established in the Northwest Territory by the nascent Union.
  • 1802: President Thomas Jefferson signs the Enabling Act of 1802, paving the way for Ohio’s statehood. Since the Ohio Constitution was not ratified, however, the state was not “officially” admitted into the United States until 150 years later.
  • 1816: Though both Chillicothe and Zanesville briefly served as the state capital, this designation was ultimately bestowed upon Columbus.
  • 1861-65: Ohio fights against the Confederacy during the Civil War.
  • 1953: Congress discovers its oversight and passes a resolution formally recognizing March 1, 1803 as the official date of Ohio’s admittance into the Union.
  • 1955: The Ohio Turnpike is completed, making the transit of people and goods in the state easier.

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Because real estate never sleeps, so why should we? We keep the ball rolling 24/7. Get ready to discover the GenStone difference.

The Ohio lifestyle

Buying a home is more than just acquiring a property—you’re also choosing a lifestyle for your family. So what exactly is living in Ohio like? Take a look at this guide we’ve prepared for you:

  • Cost of living

    A new home is always a big purchase, but Ohio’s low cost of living will eventually offset the expense. According to data from BestPlaces.net, living in Ohio costs about 18% less than the national average. Homes in the state are especially affordable, with a median cost of just $140,000—much lower than the national average of $231,000. You’ll see savings across the board, too, from groceries, to healthcare, to transportation. If you want to live in a state that offers an excellent quality of life without exorbitant costs, Ohio is for you.

  • Employment

    Ohio boasts of a robust job market that caters to professionals in various fields. This year, employment officials are especially bullish on the logistics, healthcare, and information technology sectors, which together account for over 1.1 million jobs. The state also counts manufacturing, professional services, education, and hospitality among its biggest job creators. A slew of Fortune 500 companies are also headquartered in Ohio, including Procter & Gamble, Kroger, Nationwide Insurance, Macy’s, and Goodyear Tires.

  • Weather

    The Buckeye State is blessed with all four seasons, giving residents unique experiences throughout the year. When the mercury hits 90°F in the summer, residents flock to Lake Erie to take a refreshing dip. In the fall, trees in Ohio’s various forests and hiking trails turn crimson, giving trekkers a sight to behold. Winter is skiing season here and resorts like Alpine Valley and Brandywine offer folks easy access to world-class slopes. And when the weather warms up in the spring, a trip to amusement parks, gardens, and festivals is a must.

  • Schools

    In a state that produced seven U.S. presidents, quality education is a given. Niche.com gives no less than 30 school districts an A+ rating, citing their excellent academics, teachers, extracurricular activities, safety, and college preparedness. The state is also home to excellent higher education institutions that offer top-notch programs. Ohio State University in Columbus is the region’s leading public university and is home to the Wexner Medical Center. Oberlin College, meanwhile, is a private liberal arts college that is renowned for its music conservatory.

Popular Ohio attractions

A place as fascinating as Ohio is bound to be home to amazing attractions, both manmade and natural. If you’re house-hunting in the state, consider making a side trip to these must-see destinations:

  • Lake Erie

    Ohio’s signature attraction is no doubt Lake Erie, the fourth largest of the five Great Lakes in North America. It’s a popular destination for all sorts of water activities like swimming, kayaking, sailing, and even ice fishing in the winter. The 100-mile shoreline that stretches from Toledo to Cleveland is especially scenic because of its golden sand.

  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park

    Just a 30-minute drive from Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a welcome respite from the urban bustle. The 33,000-acre park is home to diverse fauna, including white-tailed deer, bald eagles, and red foxes. It also features stunning rock formations and the picturesque Brandywine Falls. With over 160 miles of trails to explore, you’ll never run out of wonders to discover at this attraction.

  • Hocking Hills State Park

    Whether you’re into hiking, rock climbing, camping, or cave exploration, Hocking Hills State Park has you covered. There are stunning sights everywhere you turn, including waterfalls, gorges, cliffs, rock formations, and even a manmade lake. But the park’s most popular attraction is Old Man’s Cave, where the real-life hermit Richard Rowe lived in the late 1700s.

  • Cedar Point Amusement Park

    Cedar Point Amusement Park isn’t dubbed “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World” for nothing. After all, it boasts no less than 18 such rides, including two made entirely of wood. At 147 hectares, it’s also one of the biggest amusement parks on the planet and offers visitors their pick of 71 fun rides to try.

  • Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

    Music history comes to life at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where exclusive memorabilia from the all-time greats are exhibited. If you’ve ever wanted to see Bono’s first guitar or Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” mask, this is the place to be. New installations and exhibits are regularly added, so there’s always something new to discover about your favorite artists.

  • Cleveland Museum of Art

    With over 60,000 artworks within its walls, the Cleveland Museum of Art has become one of the most visited museums in the country. Masterpieces from all corners of the world can be found here, including paintings from masters like Renoir, Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh. And the best part? Visiting the museum is 100% free to the public!

  • Cincinnati Zoo

    You don’t have to travel outside of Ohio to see the splendors of the animal kingdom. All you have to do is pay a visit to the Cincinnati Zoo, where you can see over 2,000 different animals. There’s even a children’s zoo where young ones can feed and pet pygmy goats and baby doll sheep.

CALL OHIO HOME

Looking to move to Ohio? Allow me, Donna Hartzler, to help you find your dream home in the Buckeye State. With over 16 years of experience in real estate, you can rely on me for expert advice every step of the way.

With access to properties that are not publicly listed, I give clients a broader range of options to choose from, whether they are looking for single-family homes, multi-family properties, or investment real estate.

I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about buying a home in Ohio. Just give me a call at 833.396.0091 or send an email to info@genstonerealty.com to get started.