2025 Year-End Real Estate Review in the NKY & Cincinnati Market

Buying or selling a home is one of the most personal decisions a family makes — and understanding the market can make the journey feel a whole lot smoother.

As we settle into 2026, the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati housing markets are showing more stability and balance than in recent years — with real opportunities for both buyers and sellers alike.

Below is a warm, easy-to-understand look at where things stand and what it all means for you.

A Market That’s Calming but Still Active

After a busy 2025, the Greater Cincinnati area finished the year on solid footing. The median sold price in the region remained around $309,851 at year end, reflecting a 5% increase over 2024 and supporting consistent home value growth. Buyers and sellers saw more choices and healthier market conditions compared with the tight competition of previous years.¹

Inventory has continued to improve — meaning more homes are on the market, giving buyers a chance to explore options instead of rushing into decisions. Sellers, meanwhile, are seeing homes sell in a more deliberate timeframe as buyers explore what’s available. This marks a welcome shift toward balance.¹

What the Numbers Tell Us Locally

In Cincinnati, recent data shows there are nearly 4,000 active residential listings as of January 2026 — a sign that supply, while still favoring sellers overall, gives buyers meaningful choice for the first time in years.²

Across the broader Greater Cincinnati metro, active inventory grew by over 25% year-over-year in late 2025, and homes spent around 26 days on the market — a slower pace that lets buyers evaluate options while still rewarding well-priced properties.¹

This shift means:

• Buyers have more options than in the tightest markets of 2021–2023
• Sellers can still attract qualified buyers if their pricing and staging are strategic

In other words: it’s a market where preparation and patience pay off.

What It Means for Buyers Right Now

For many hopeful homebuyers, 2026 is shaping up to be a more comfortable year to search — even though interest rates remain higher than the ultra-low levels of the pandemic era. National experts expect mortgage rates to hover around 6%–6.5%, with pockets of relief for well-qualified buyers, especially if they consider financing options like adjustable-rate mortgages or builder incentives on new construction.³⁺⁴

The bottom line?
With more homes available and prices stabilizing, buyers are not forced into rushed decisions — making it a better time than many expected to learn, explore, and plan smartly.

What This Means for Sellers

If you’re thinking about selling in 2026, there’s good news: the strength in baseline home values and continued buyer interest mean your home still holds value. Sellers can benefit from:

• strategic pricing
• thoughtful staging
• and professional guidance to highlight value

Marks of a balanced market — such as a moderate number of days on market and improving inventory — show sellers still get attention for compelling properties, especially when they’re priced realistically.

How Local Trends Tie into National Shifts

Nationally, economists call 2026 “the Great Housing Reset” — a period of gradual adjustment where home prices are expected to grow at a slower, more sustainable pace while income growth begins to outpace price increases.⁵

That’s good news for local buyers and sellers alike, because:

• Buyers may find more affordable options over time
• Sellers can benefit from stability and realism in pricing
• The market overall feels less stressful and more predictable than the earlier part of the decade

Final Thought — A Season for Confidence and Calm

If the idea of navigating the housing market feels overwhelming, take heart: this isn’t a market driven by urgency and frenzy anymore — it’s a market where informed choices matter most.

For buyers, that means more homes to explore and time to make thoughtful decisions. For sellers, it means real value and serious buyers willing to engage when your home is presented well.

No matter where you are in the journey, you deserve advice that’s grounded in facts — and delivered with warmth and confidence. If you’re curious what these trends mean for your goals specifically, let’s talk through them together.

Sources

1. REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati. “Greater Cincinnati Housing Market Closes 2025 with Steady Growth and Improved Balance.” Greater Cincinnati REALTOR® Alliance, Dec. 2025.
2. M/I Homes. “Cincinnati Housing Market Update for Homebuyers.” M/I Homes, Jan. 2026.
3. Redfin. Zhao, Chen and Daryl Fairweather. “Redfin’s 2026 Predictions: Welcome to The Great Housing Reset.” Redfin, 2 Dec. 2025.
4. “Is 2026 the Right Year to Buy a House? Key Market Trends You Need to Know.” Investopedia, Jan. 2026.
5. Redfin. Zhao, Chen and Daryl Fairweather. “Redfin’s 2026 Predictions: Welcome to The Great Housing Reset.” Redfin, Dec. 2025.