The wind is cutting across the fields in Ostrander. The sky over Sunbury has turned that familiar shade of late-November gray. And right now, the common advice you’re hearing from your neighbor, your brother-in-law, and most average real estate blogs is simple:
“Wait until spring. Nobody buys houses during the holidays.”
They are wrong. And if you listen to them, you might be leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
While the amateurs are pulling their listings and focusing on turkey, the Columbus market is shifting into a high-stakes gear that most people miss. We aren’t seeing “tire kickers” right now. We are seeing serious financial deadlines and corporate urgency.
Here is why the smartest move you can make is to stay active while the rest of Central Ohio hibernates.
1. The “Intel Effect” Does Not Take a Holiday
The traditional “Spring Market” advice is outdated. It assumes buyers are only looking for homes when the flowers are blooming.
But in 2025, the Columbus economy doesn’t run on flower blooms; it runs on corporate calendars.
Right now, we are seeing significant movement from the corporate sector. Specifically, the “C-Suite” executives and high-level engineers transferring to the area for the Intel expansion. These aren’t casual browsers. These are decision-makers who need to be settled in Gahanna, New Albany, or Dublin before Q1 begins.
If you take your home off the market now, you are invisible to the most qualified, well-funded buyers in the state. They have relocation packages, they have start dates, and they need a home now.
2. The Jan 1st Financial Cliff (The 2.5% Rule)
There is a massive financial lever that disappears the moment the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, and very few buyers are talking about it.
It’s the Owner-Occupancy Tax Reduction (often called the 2.5% rollback).
To qualify for this tax break for the upcoming tax year, you generally need to own and occupy the home by January 1st. If you close on January 5th, you might miss out on that qualification for a full year.
For our buyers: Do you really want to wait until spring and fight 20 other offers, or do you want to lock in your home—and your potential tax status—right now?
3. We Don’t “Ghost” You When the Turkey Comes Out
The horror story of holiday real estate isn’t the snow; it’s the logistics. You find the perfect house on Black Friday, but the inspector is out of town. You get an offer on December 23rd, but the lender won’t return a call until January 2nd.
This is where the agent you hire matters.
At Crosier Realty Group, we don’t rely on a Google search for vendors. We operate with a “Golden Rolodex.” We know exactly which inspectors, contractors, and title officers answer their phones during the holiday weeks. We know how to navigate the county recorder’s holiday hours so your deal doesn’t get stuck in limbo.
While other agents are “out of office,” we are ensuring your deal crosses the finish line.
4. The Power of “Constant Coverage”
Real estate is stressful. Doing it during the holidays is even harder. The biggest risk you face with a solo agent in December is that they have a life, too. They have family dinners, travel plans, and holiday shopping. If they check out for 24 hours, you could lose a deal.
This is the specific advantage of hiring a husband-and-wife team.
We don’t have “off hours” because we tag-team the schedule. If Aaron is negotiating a contract, Johanna is handling the inspection. If one of us is with family, the other is on call. You get the peace of mind of “Constant Coverage”—knowing that your sale never takes a back seat to our holiday schedule.
Don’t Wait for the Thaw
The “Spring Market” is flooded with competition. The “Winter Market” is where the serious deals happen.
Whether you are an executive looking to land in Gahanna before January, or a seller looking to capitalize on low inventory, the time to move is now.
Let’s build your game plan.
Don’t just browse online. Let’s sit down (or hop on a quick Zoom) for a Year-End Strategy Session. We’ll look at the numbers, check the deadlines, and see if we can get you moved before the year ends.