Highland County, Ohio Real Estate Market Update: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know Right Now
If you’re watching the Highland County real estate market — whether you’re getting ready to buy or thinking about listing your home — here’s where things stand right now, and what it actually means for you.
The Short Version
The market still leans in the seller’s favor due to lower-than-normal inventory, but homes are taking longer to sell than they did during the hot-market years of 2020-2022. That combination gives buyers a little more breathing room and negotiating leverage than they’ve had in recent years, even in a market that technically still favors sellers.
Current Highland County Market Snapshot
- Median sold price: $250,000
- Active listings: 148
- New listings (last 30 days): 47
- Pending sales (last 30 days): 41
- Homes sold (last 30 days): 56
(Data via the National Association of Realtors.)
With 56 homes sold against 148 active listings, there’s still solid buyer demand moving through the market — but the pace has slowed compared to the frenzy of a few years ago, largely due to where mortgage rates currently sit.
Where Mortgage Rates Stand
Rates remain elevated across the board, which is the primary reason homes are taking longer to find a buyer:
| Loan Type | Rate Range | APR Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 6.75% – 6.98% | 6.91% – 7.20% | Requires 3%–5% down minimum; PMI required if under 20% down |
| FHA | 6.25% – 6.38% | 6.85% – 7.10% | 3.5% down; requires upfront and annual mortgage insurance (MIP) |
| VA | 6.12% – 6.25% | 6.45% – 6.60% | 0% down for eligible military/veterans; no monthly PMI |
| USDA (Guaranteed) | 6.12% – 6.25% | 6.55% – 6.75% | 0% down; income caps apply |
Worth noting for Highland County buyers specifically: this county is heavily USDA-eligible, which means many buyers here have access to a true zero-down option most other areas simply don’t offer.
If you’re waiting for rates to drop before you buy, here’s something to consider: marry the house, date the rate. Refinancing later is always an option if rates come down — but the home you want at today’s price may not still be waiting for you when that happens. And when rates do eventually ease, expect competition for Highland County’s already-limited inventory to increase right along with it.
What This Means for Buyers
You still have some real leverage right now. With homes taking longer to sell, you have more room to negotiate on price, ask for closing cost assistance, or request repairs than buyers did during the 2020-2022 market. Don’t let a headline rate scare you off — a knowledgeable local lender can walk you through options like FHA, VA, or USDA that may significantly reduce your real monthly payment.
What This Means for Sellers
You’re still in a strong position. Inventory remains below normal, and home values have risen steadily since 2020 — which means many Highland County sellers are sitting on significant equity. For some, that equity is enough to purchase their next home outright with cash, sidestepping today’s rates entirely. If you’ve been on the fence about listing, this is a good time to find out exactly where you stand.
Curious What Your Highland County Home Is Worth?
Home values have shifted since 2020, and the only way to know your real number is with an up-to-date valuation — not a guess from an app.
👉 Get your free home valuation
📞 Call or text Bryan: 937-776-3405 📞 Call or text Rene: 937-205-6513 🌐 VanceTeamRealtors.com
Vance Team Realtors — Serving Highland, Clinton, Adams, Brown, Ross, Fayette, and Pike County, Ohio