Thinking of Selling? Don't Let National Headlines Price Your Northeast Ohio Home

If you're thinking about selling, you've probably seen headlines saying there are far more sellers than buyers. And I understand why those reports might make you wonder whether you've missed your chance.

According to Redfin, there were an estimated 62.6% more sellers than buyers across the United States in September 2026. In the Cleveland metropolitan area, that figure was 18.5%. Those numbers deserve attention, but they don't tell me what your particular home should be listed for, how it will compete, or what a buyer may be willing to pay.

That's where actual local sales come in.

My team and I reviewed single-family homes that closed during the third quarter of 2026 and compared them with the same period in 2025. Across our 17 Western Cuyahoga service-area communities, the MLS-reported median sale price was about 2.9% higher year over year, and the median days on market for homes that closed in Q3 2026 was 12. The price comparison is approximate because we've identified a verified error in one MLS closed-price record that still needs to be reflected in the exact recalculated median.

Elsewhere in our service area, median sale-price trends varied. Lorain County was approximately 0.7% higher; Erie County was about 1.4% lower; Huron County was about 2.2% lower; and Ottawa County was approximately 18.7% higher. Ottawa's unusually large change may partly reflect the mix of homes sold, including higher-priced properties. These are changes in the median of sales, not estimates of what any individual house appreciated or depreciated.

The point isn't that everything is wonderful for sellers or that every home will sell in two weeks. It's that there is no single pricing formula that fits Avon, Amherst, Westlake, Vermilion, Sandusky, and Port Clinton alike.

Three things I want sellers to consider before listing:

Start with the right comparable sales. I want to look at nearby homes similar to yours in location, size, features, condition, and price range. A national news story isn't a comparable sale.

Present your home to compete. Clear photographs, accurate information, reasonable preparation, and a thoughtful launch can make a difference—especially when buyers have choices.

Negotiate from facts, not fear. The strongest offer is not always simply the highest number. Financing, contingencies, timing, and the likelihood of closing all matter.

If selling is on your radar, even if your timeline is next spring, I would rather give you a realistic picture now than have you make a decision based on a headline that may not fit your neighborhood.

This is Part 2 of our three-part series. Read Part 1: National Headlines vs. Northeast Ohio Reality. Part 3 looks at what this market means for buyers.