The Lowry Team - EXP Realty

🤔 Move now or wait until summer? The data just made that decision a whole lot clearer.
It's one of the most common questions we hear from buyers and sellers in the Greater Cincinnati area right now — and honestly, it's a great question to be asking. So let's answer it with actual numbers instead of gut feelings. (Sources: Realtor.com, NAR)

Here's what typically happens in a summer market:

📦 32% more fresh listings hit the market
Good news for buyers — more options, more neighborhoods, more chances to find the right fit in West Chester, Mason, Fairfield, Liberty Township, and beyond. Summer inventory surges are real, and they give buyers the selection they've been craving all spring.

💰 Homes sell for roughly 4% more
Here's the flip side. More buyers are active in summer too — families trying to close before school starts, relocators moving on corporate timelines, motivated buyers who spent all spring losing out and came back determined. That competition pushes prices up. On a $400,000 home, 4% is $16,000. That's real money.

So what does this mean for YOU?

🏡 If you're a buyer:
Waiting for summer gives you more options to choose from — but you'll likely be paying more and competing harder for every one of them. The buyers getting the best deals right now are the ones moving before the summer rush fully kicks in, when inventory is growing but competition hasn't peaked yet. That window is open right now and it won't stay open long.

🏠 If you're a seller:
Summer is historically your friend. More buyers in the market, stronger emotional urgency around school-year timelines, and that 4% price premium means listing as we head into peak summer season is a smart, data-backed move. The sellers who are prepped and ready to launch in the next few weeks are positioned to capture maximum demand at maximum price.

The honest answer to "move now or wait?"
For most buyers and sellers in Greater Cincinnati — the best move is the one you make with a clear strategy and the right team behind you, regardless of the exact timing. Because the buyers who win aren't the ones who perfectly timed the market. They're the ones who got prepared, stayed ready, and moved with confidence when the right opportunity appeared.

And that's exactly what the Lowry Team helps you do — every single time. 🙌
Whether you're leaning toward moving now or still weighing your options, the best next step is the same: let's have a conversation. A 15-minute call with our team could give you a crystal clear picture of exactly what makes sense for your situation in today's Cincinnati market.

👉 Visit LowryTeam.com or send us a message today — no pressure, just real answers from people who know this market inside and out.
💬 So — are you team "move now" or team "wait for summer"? Drop your vote below and tell us why! 👇

🔮 Everyone wants to know the same thing right now: what's the housing market going to do in the second half of 2026?

It's the question we get more than any other. And honestly? It's a great one to be asking — because the answer has real implications for whether you should be buying, selling, or strategically waiting in the Greater Cincinnati area right now.

Here's what the experts and leading indicators are pointing to for the rest of 2026:

🏠 Home prices: Modest growth expected
Most forecasts are calling for continued but slower appreciation in the 2–4% range nationally. Cincinnati has historically outperformed national averages in stability, which means West Chester, Mason, Fairfield, and Liberty Township should remain solid ground for both buyers and sellers. Prices are unlikely to drop significantly — but the days of 10–19% annual jumps are behind us for now.

📉 Mortgage rates: Cautiously optimistic
The wild rate swings we saw earlier this spring have everyone on edge — and rightfully so. Most economists are projecting rates could ease back toward the mid-6% range by year's end if inflation continues cooling and the Fed adjusts policy. But as we've seen, uncertainty can flip that outlook fast. Waiting for a perfect rate is still a gamble.

📦 Inventory: Gradually improving
New listings have nearly doubled since December, and that trend is expected to continue through summer and fall. More inventory is good news for buyers — but it also means sellers need to be more strategic than ever about pricing and presentation to stand out.

🏗️ New construction: Picking up steam
With new home prices at a 5-year low and builders motivated to move inventory, new construction will continue to be a compelling option for buyers in the Cincinnati suburbs through the end of the year. Expect builders to keep offering rate buydowns and closing cost incentives to stay competitive.

👥 Buyer demand: Steady and building
Mortgage applications are up 21%. Pending sales are rising. The buyers who sat out 2024 and early 2025 waiting for rates to fall are starting to move — and that pent-up demand is going to fuel activity through the fall market in ways we haven't seen in a couple of years.
The bottom line for Greater Cincinnati buyers and sellers:

The second half of 2026 is shaping up to be an active, opportunity-filled market — but one that rewards preparation and strategy over waiting and hoping. The window for the late May listing sweet spot is closing. Summer buyers are starting their searches now. And the buyers who get pre-approved and ready today will be the ones celebrating at closing tables this fall. 🏡🙌

Nobody has a crystal ball. But we have 20+ years of experience navigating every kind of Cincinnati market there is — and right now, the data and the momentum are pointing in a direction that makes us genuinely excited for our clients on both sides of the transaction.

👉 Want a personalized read on what the rest of 2026 means for YOUR specific situation — whether you're buying, selling, or both? Visit LowryTeam.com or send us a DM today. We love these conversations. ☎️

💬 What's your prediction for the housing market in the second half of 2026? Bullish, bearish, or somewhere in between? Drop your take below — let's discuss! 👇