By: Alex Schafers
The first six months of 2026 have certainly kept us busy.
Here at The Schafers Group, we’re incredibly grateful to have helped so many families buy and sell homes across Greater Cincinnati. Through June, our team closed just shy of $22.5 million in real estate sales. While we’re proud of that milestone, it’s also given us a front-row seat to the challenges buyers and sellers are facing throughout our market.
Here’s what we’ve seen during the first half of the year:
Buyers Continue to Battle Low Inventory
Without question, the biggest challenge for buyers has been inventory.
Across Cincinnati and the surrounding suburbs, there simply haven’t been enough quality homes hitting the market. While buyer demand has cooled slightly compared to the frenzy of the past few years, the supply of available homes has dropped even more. That imbalance continues to keep home prices elevated throughout the region.
For many buyers, especially first-time home buyers, affordability remains difficult. Mortgage rates are higher than they were just a few years ago, and when you combine those payments with today’s home prices, purchasing a home requires much more planning and patience than it once did.
Deferred Maintenance Is Becoming a Bigger Issue
One trend we’ve noticed more than ever in 2026 is the amount of deferred maintenance in homes.
We’re seeing more inspection reports uncover aging HVAC systems, roofs nearing the end of their lifespan, damaged siding, clogged or failing gutters, aging windows, and other maintenance items that simply weren’t addressed over the past several years.
In my opinion, much of this comes down to affordability. Many homeowners simply haven’t had the extra disposable income needed to keep up with the rising cost of home maintenance.
The result is that buyers are often paying top dollar for homes that require immediate repairs after closing. This has become one of the biggest frustrations for the buyers we represent, particularly first-time buyers who have already stretched their budgets just to purchase the home.
Sellers Are Still Selling—But It’s Not 2021 Anymore
For sellers, the market remains healthy, but expectations need to be realistic.
Most well-priced homes in desirable communities are still selling relatively quickly. Areas like:
- Oakley
- Hyde Park
- Norwood
- Deer Park
- Mason
- Loveland
- Blue Ash
are commonly seeing homes go pending within the first week to week and a half.
However, we’re seeing a noticeable difference in B- and C-level locations throughout Greater Cincinnati. Homes in these areas are spending significantly more time on the market and often require one or more price reductions before attracting serious buyer interest.
Pricing strategy matters more today than it has in several years.
The Biggest Challenge for Sellers: Nearly New Construction
The toughest sellers we’ve worked with this year have been homeowners who built a home within the last one to three years and are now trying to sell—especially when new construction communities are still actively building nearby.
For what feels like the first time in many years, we’re seeing situations where buying a brand-new home is actually less expensive than purchasing an existing home.
Builders have advantages that individual sellers simply can’t compete with.
Many builders are offering:
- Interest rate buy-downs
- Closing cost assistance
- Appliance packages
- Premium kitchen upgrades
- Higher-end cabinetry
- Luxury bathroom finishes
- Design center credits
When buyers compare those incentives against an existing home with little room for negotiation, many are choosing new construction instead.
This has created a challenging environment for homeowners trying to compete with nearby developments.
Looking Ahead
While the first half of 2026 has certainly presented challenges for both buyers and sellers, we’re optimistic about what’s ahead.
We believe inventory will gradually improve over time, creating more opportunities for buyers and bringing better balance to the market. Sellers who are facing longer market times can still achieve great results with the right pricing, preparation, and marketing strategy.
Every market has its challenges, but every market also creates opportunities for those who understand how to navigate it.
At The Schafers Group, we’re committed to helping our clients make confident decisions no matter what the market is doing. Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, downsizing, or simply curious about your home’s value, we’re always happy to be a resource.
If you’d like to discuss your specific situation or learn what today’s market means for your home, we’d love the opportunity to help.