How Much Cash Columbus Buyers Actually Need at Closing

Buying a home in Columbus or Central Ohio requires cash for more than just a down payment, you'll also need funds for closing costs, prepaids, inspections, and possibly the real property conveyance fee. The exact total depends on your loan type, purchase price, and what you negotiate with the seller.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

The Columbus Mac & Cheese Festival Caps Off This Week

The 9th annual Columbus Mac & Cheese Festival runs Friday, September 25, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at The Yard at Easton Town Center, with mac and cheese samples from Central Ohio restaurants and live entertainment benefiting a local cancer program. Here's what to know before you go.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

The Best Time of Year to List Your Home in Central Ohio

Central Ohio's median sales price has swung by roughly 8% between the June peak and December low in recent years, and timing a listing around that pattern can meaningfully change your final sale price and how long your home sits on the market.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

The Fall Exterior Reset Buyers Notice Before Winter Hits

A weekend spent cleaning gutters, clearing early leaf debris, and touching up exterior details costs little to nothing and protects a home's curb appeal through the season buyers are most likely to notice small deferred maintenance before it becomes a bigger problem.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

Your Central Ohio Guide to Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend, September 5 through 7, marks the unofficial end of Central Ohio's summer season, with several outdoor pools closing for the year and the Columbus Greek Festival and CBUS Soul Fest both wrapping up downtown. Here's what's closing, what's open, and what's happening.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

What's It Actually Like to Live in Reynoldsburg, Ohio?

Reynoldsburg is officially the "Birthplace of the Tomato" and home to the most diverse school district in Ohio. Here's an honest, detailed look at the schools, housing costs, and who actually fits best in this genuinely affordable east Columbus community.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

The Bathroom Refresh That Punches Above Its Weight

A weekend spent refreshing a bathroom, new towels, a caulk touch-up, better lighting, and a genuinely thorough clean, costs a fraction of a renovation and consistently outperforms bigger, more expensive projects in buyer feedback. Here's exactly what to prioritize before you list.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

The First Day of School Is This Week for Much of Central Ohio

Columbus City Schools and Olentangy Local Schools, the state's largest and fourth-largest districts, both start the 2026-2027 year on August 20. Here's what families should know as buses start running again and school zones fill back up with morning traffic this week.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

Why Central Ohio's Park System Keeps Getting Better

Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks now spans 21 parks, more than 230 miles of trails, and over 28,700 acres, with a brand-new park opened this year and another on the way. Here's why the system is worth factoring into a decision about where to live.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

The Closet Reset That Makes Storage Feel Bigger

A weekend spent editing and reorganizing closets costs little to nothing and directly addresses one of the most common buyer objections: not enough storage, even when the closet itself is a perfectly reasonable size. Here's a simple, doable way to fix it.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

What's It Actually Like to Live in Grove City, Ohio?

Thinking about living in Grove City, Ohio? Discover what makes this growing Columbus suburb so popular, from its walkable Town Center and family-friendly parks to home prices, schools, restaurants, and the lifestyle attracting buyers across Central Ohio.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

The Exterior Refresh Buyers Notice Before They Even Walk In

Boost your home's curb appeal with simple, affordable exterior updates. Learn how pressure washing, paint touch-ups, fresh landscaping, and small maintenance projects can help Central Ohio sellers make a great first impression before buyers even walk through the front door.

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Chrisi Hagan Chrisi Hagan

The Ohio State Fair Opens This Week

Planning a trip to the Ohio State Fair? Discover everything you need to know about the 2026 fair, including dates, ticket prices, the famous Butter Cow, rides, concerts, family-friendly tips, and the best times to visit one of Central Ohio's most popular summer traditions.

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