As holiday plans take shape, home is where we gather, welcome guests, and think about the year ahead. If you’re hoping to move before the holidays or getting ready for spring, October’s housing data offers a starting point. Sellers still held the edge across Midwestern Ohio, and the choices and timing buyers and sellers could expect varied by county.

Realtors Property Resource® (RPR) classified all six counties in the Midwestern Ohio Association of REALTORS® region as sellers’ markets in October. Inventory rose from September in five counties. Logan County was the exception, falling from 4.21 to 3.83 months, though it still had the most inventory by that measure. Mercer County had the least at 2.35 months, up from 1.70 in September.

Homes continued to sell close to their asking prices. October’s sold-to-list price ratios ranged from 96.7% in Mercer County to 98.9% in Miami County. Median sold prices ranged from $219,000 in Shelby County to $290,500 in Auglaize County. Auglaize’s median rose 38.3% from $210,000 in September, while Mercer’s fell 21.8% from $287,500 to $224,950. Those figures reflect the mix of homes that sold each month. An individual home’s value can follow a different pattern.

The pace of sales varied, too. Miami County had the shortest median time on market in October at 20 days, up from 17 in September. Mercer County had the longest at 61 days, up from 42. A local REALTOR® can help you understand what that pace may mean for your neighborhood and price range.

For sellers, a REALTOR® can review comparable sales, recommend an asking price, and help decide which preparations are worth your time. With holiday gatherings on the calendar, talk through when you can accommodate showings and what closing date would work for you. A welcoming entry, clear walkways, and uncluttered rooms can help buyers picture daily life in the home.

For buyers, a REALTOR® can help you see how countywide trends compare with what’s available in your price range and the neighborhoods you’re considering. A local REALTOR® can also help you weigh comparable sales and offer terms. If you hope to spend the holidays in a new home, start early and leave time for financing, inspections, and closing.

That guidance continues after an offer is accepted. From inspection questions and negotiations to deadlines and the final walkthrough, a REALTOR® helps you understand what comes next and keep the transaction moving. REALTORS® also commit to a strict Code of Ethics.

Even if a move can wait, late fall is a good time to clear gutters and downspouts after the leaves fall, keep entrances clear, and take care of small repairs before guests arrive and colder weather settles in.

Whether you’re planning a move before the holidays or sometime in the new year, a conversation with a local REALTOR® can help you put October’s numbers in context and make a plan that fits your budget and timing.