Columbus Realtors believe spring will produce an improved market, but meanwhile cold weather has temporarily frozen buyers.

"Weather and the war meant a slow start to the market last year," says Realtor Dan Gregor, "(1st quarter stats showed an 11 percent decline in activity) but the market came on strong with the Central Ohio MLS showing the year ending up with a 7.4 percent increase in the number of sales over 2002."

Explains Gregor, "A stable economy here in central Ohio local has kept our local real estate market on a steady course. Building activity has been strong throughout 2003, spurred on by lower interest rates and numerous incentives and concessions by production builders. Buyers and sellers today will find both opportunities and difficulty in the marketplace today depending on the location and price range. Sellers who have owned their property for five years or more are the ones most likely to be in a position to take advantage of the current market conditions."

Says Realtor Andrew Show, "The city of Columbus was founded in 1812 and has served as the state capital since 1816. Since then, the city has gradually grown into the most populous and exciting city in the state of Ohio, while still maintaining its mid-western roots."

About the market, Show says, "Lower priced homes in the Metro Columbus area (under $250,000), if in good condition, are selling quickly, but higher priced home sales are soft."

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Published: February 4, 2004

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