Buying a home in Central Ohio? Our free 2027 Columbus Home Buyer’s Guide walks you through all ten steps from pre-approval to keys, shows what a typical home really costs each month and at closing, explains Ohio and Columbus specifics like taxes paid in arrears, tax abatements and school districts that cross city lines, and shares the offer strategy our team uses to win in competitive suburbs.
Get the free 2027 Columbus Home Buyer's Guide
Ten steps from pre-approval to keys, real Central Ohio costs, Ohio rules like taxes paid in arrears and tax abatements, and how to write an offer that wins. Enter your name and email and the PDF is ready right away.
What’s inside
- Buying in Central Ohio in 2027: values and what they mean
- 10 steps from search to keys
- Monthly payment table and sample cash to close
- Ways to lower your cash to close
- Making an offer that wins, plus Central Ohio specifics
- Inspection and closing checklists, including wire-fraud protection
- Loan options and your financing and title partners
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Frequently asked questions
How much cash do I need to buy a home in Columbus?
It depends on your loan and price. On a $365,000 home with 10% down, a typical total of down payment plus closing costs and prepaid items is around $45,000. Low-down-payment loans, Ohio Housing Finance Agency assistance and seller credits can lower that a lot, and our free buyer's guide shows a full sample breakdown.
What is a tax abatement on a Columbus home?
Columbus and several suburbs reduce property taxes on many new and renovated homes for a set number of years through Community Reinvestment Areas. The abatement stays with the home when it sells, so we check how many years remain and what the full tax bill will be when it ends.
Should I get pre-approved before I look at homes?
Yes. A pre-approval tells you your real budget and shows sellers your offer is solid. Many listing agents in popular suburbs expect one with every offer.
How long does it take to buy a home?
From accepted offer to closing usually takes about 30 to 45 days with a loan. The search itself can take a few weeks to a few months.
Who pays the property taxes when I buy in Ohio?
Ohio property taxes are paid in arrears, so the seller typically credits the buyer at closing for taxes owed through the closing date, and you pay the next bills as they come due.