Do Home Sales Slow Down During the Holidays in Central Ohio?

By Amy Warren, Ohio REALTOR® | Plain City, Dublin, Powell & Central Ohio

The Short Answer

Yes, but less than most people think. Central Ohio closed 2,291 home sales in December 2025, about 22% fewer than in June. Fewer homes come on the market and homes take longer to sell, but buyers and sellers keep moving, and December actually had more closings than November.

I hear this question every year around Halloween, usually from someone who assumes the market goes to sleep until spring. It doesn't. It gets quieter, and quieter can work in your favor if you know what to expect. Here's what the local numbers show and how I'd use them.

What the Numbers Show

These figures come from the monthly housing reports published byColumbus REALTORS®. I compared last June, a typical busy month, with last November and December.

Source: Columbus REALTORS® Central Ohio Housing Reports forJune,November, andDecember 2025. The June days-on-market figure is a median, and the December figure is an average, so treat that row as a general trend. Your neighborhood and price range may look different.

Here's what stands out to me.

Sales dip, but they don't stop

About 2,200 to 2,300 homes closed in each of the two holiday months. That's a lot of people buying and selling while everyone else is shopping for gifts.

December beats November

Closings went up from November to December. A lot of buyers write offers in October and November and aim to close before the new year. A financed purchase in Ohio commonly takes 30 to 45 days from contract to closing, so fall offers turn into December closings.

Inventory drops fast in December

The number of homes for sale fell 19.2% from November to December. Many sellers wait until spring to list, and some take their homes off the market for the holidays.

Homes take longer to sell

Homes sat about 40 days in November and 43 days in December, compared with about 25 days in June. That lines up with what I covered inHow Long Are Homes Really Sitting on the Market Right Now?

Prices ease a little

The median price was $28,000 lower in December than in June. Part of that is seasonal. Part of it is the mix of homes that sell in winter. It doesn't mean every home is suddenly on sale.

Why the Market Slows Down

None of this is mysterious. People are busy. Calendars fill up with travel, parties, and year-end work deadlines. Gray Ohio weather makes yards and exteriors look their worst, so many sellers would rather wait for spring photos. And plenty of buyers decide to pause until January without really thinking it through.

The people who stay in the market are usually the ones with a real reason to move, like a new job, a lease ending, a relocation, or a plan to be settled before the new year. That changes the feel of the market more than the numbers do.

What a Holiday Slowdown Means for Buyers

Less competition

Fewer buyers are touring homes in December, so you're less likely to end up in a bidding war. If you've beensearching since late summer, this can be the stretch where things finally line up.

More room to negotiate

A seller who lists in December usually needs to move. That often means more flexibility on repairs, closing dates, or seller credits. I walk through what you can ask for inPrice Isn't the Only Thing You Can Negotiate. With the average 30-year rate at7.32% as of Freddie Mac's October 22 survey, a seller credit toward a rate buydown can make a real difference. Here'show buydowns can lower your payment.

Fewer homes to choose from

This is the tradeoff. With about 1,000 fewer homes for sale in December than in November, you may need to be a little more flexible on location or features.

You get to see the house in winter

This one is underrated. You'll see how the furnace keeps up, whether the windows are drafty, and how the driveway handles ice. Pair that with a solid inspection. Here'swhat to expect from an Ohio home inspection.

What a Holiday Slowdown Means for Sellers

Fewer homes compete with yours

When inventory drops nearly 20% in a month, your home stands out more. The buyers who are looking have fewer options, and they tend to be serious.

Price matters even more

Holiday buyers are motivated, but they aren't careless. An overpriced home sits longer in December than it would in May. My approach is inHow to Price Your Home to Sell Fast.

Keep the decor simple

A wreath and some warm lighting help a home feel inviting. A living room packed with decorations makes it harder for buyers to see the space. Keep it light, and keep walkways clear of snow and ice. More ideas are inStaging Secrets.

You can set showing limits

You don't have to give up your holidays to sell. Most sellers block off the holidays themselves and stay open the rest of the week. Here'show showings workif you're new to the process.

Holiday Dates to Plan Around

As a former transaction coordinator, this is the part I watch most closely. Holidays don't stop closings, but they can slow them down. Banks and county offices close on federal holidays, and lenders, title companies, and appraisers often run lighter schedules.

Office hours vary. Confirm schedules with your lender and title company.

If you want to close before the end of the year, I'd aim to be under contract by mid-November. Sign what you can early, send your lender documents right away, and pick a closing date in mid-December if you can.

My Recommendation: Don't Let the Calendar Make the Decision

Here's what I tell clients in Dublin, Powell, Plain City, and around Columbus. If you're a buyer and you'repre-approvedand ready, keep looking through the holidays. You'll likely face less competition and have more room to negotiate. If you're a seller and your home is ready to show, there's no reason to wait just because it's December.

If your home needs work, or your timeline is flexible, it's fine to plan for spring. Just use the winter to get ready. I lay out that plan inShould You Sell Your Central Ohio Home Now or Wait Until Spring 2027?And if you're still deciding,Why Fall Is One of the Best Times to Buy or Sell in Ohiocovers the weeks right before the holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do home sales slow down during the holidays in Central Ohio?

Yes, but not as much as most people think. In December 2025, Central Ohio had 2,291 closed sales, about 22% fewer than in June 2025. December actually had more closings than November, because many buyers aim to close before the end of the year.

Is December a good time to buy a house?

It can be. There are fewer homes for sale, but there are also fewer buyers competing with you, and sellers who list in December usually have a reason to move. That can mean more room to negotiate on price, repairs, or closing costs.

Should I take my house off the market for the holidays?

Not necessarily. Pulling your listing resets the clock, but it also removes you from the market while serious buyers are still looking. Many sellers stay listed and simply limit showings on the holidays themselves.

Can I close on a house between Christmas and New Year's?

Often, yes. Banks and county offices are closed on the holidays themselves, and many lenders and title companies run lighter staff that week. Plan for extra time, sign documents early, and avoid scheduling closing on December 24, December 31, or the holidays.

Who do you work with?

I work with buyers and sellers at every stage, including first-time buyers, people relocating to Central Ohio, move-up buyers, downsizers, single buyers, and investors. Whatever your timeline looks like, my job is to help you make a plan that fits.

Your Next Step

Email me at[email protected]with the date you'd like to be moved by. I'll send you a simple holiday-season timeline that works backward from that date, so you know exactly when to list or make an offer.

Amy Warren is a licensed Ohio REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers across Plain City, Dublin, Powell, and Central Ohio. She started her real estate career in 2016 as a Transaction Coordinator in Denver, where she helped close over 650 transactions before relocating to Central Ohio in 2022 and earning her Ohio license in 2025.

Equal Housing Opportunity. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act and welcome all buyers and sellers regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, or any other protected class.

Sources & Further Reading

• Central Ohio Housing Report, December 2025, Columbus REALTORS®

• Central Ohio Housing Report, November 2025, Columbus REALTORS®

• Central Ohio Housing Report, June 2025, Columbus REALTORS®

• Freddie Mac Weekly Mortgage Rates, Mortgage News Daily, October 22, 2026

• Primary Mortgage Market Survey, Freddie Mac