{"brief":{"id":"ab7970bb-6ae5-42e7-babd-33af411fc29b","target_id":"7a3f58ac-cae8-4caf-b98e-70187f781b6e","geo":"Ohio","brief":{"trends":["Mortgage rates moved higher this week: 30-year fixed rose 15 basis points to 6.51%, and the 15-year fixed rose 14 basis points to 5.85%, adding modest monthly payment pressure for buyers in the $200K-$450K range common across Northeast Ohio.","Akron ranked No. 1 nationally for metro home-price appreciation in Q1 2026 at +12% YoY per NAR, making Summit and Stark county listings increasingly competitive for both buyers and sellers.","Canton-Massillon posted +7.9% YoY Q1 price growth per NAR, confirming Stark and Portage county markets are outperforming national averages of roughly +1% YoY.","Ohio statewide inventory rose 4.3% YoY to 37,952 active listings in March 2026 per Redfin, offering buyers more choice than 2021-2022 lows, but supply remains well below balanced-market thresholds in the Midwest.","National existing-home sales held essentially flat in April 2026 at a 4.02 million annualized pace per Realtor.com, while the Midwest and Northeast regions posted the strongest price growth nationally, consistent with Ohio's above-average appreciation trend.","Rents nationally declined for a 33rd consecutive month as of April 2026, roughly 5% below peak per Realtor.com, which historically supports a slow build in renter-to-buyer conversion over the following quarters.","Ohio is being described in national coverage as a 'quiet champion' of the 2026 housing market, with relative affordability and institutional job anchors (Cleveland Clinic, Intel, etc.) attracting buyers priced out of Sunbelt markets.","Cleveland-area east-side suburbs Hunting Valley (+8.6%), Moreland Hills (+9.0%), and Bentleyville (+7.8%) showed some of the fastest submarket-level appreciation in Greater Cleveland per Zillow data cited in spring 2026 coverage."],"sources":["Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), weeks of May 14 and May 21, 2026, via mortgage_rates tool","Redfin Ohio statewide market data, March 2026, via perplexity_search","National Association of REALTORS, Q1 2026 Metropolitan Median Area Prices and Affordability report, via perplexity_search","Realtor.com Economic and Housing Market Update, May 15, 2026, via perplexity_search","Ohio REALTORS, December 2025 and full-year 2025 housing statistics, via perplexity_search","Fortune housing feature on Ohio as a 2026 housing market standout, April 2026, via perplexity_search","2026 Ohio Housing Needs Assessment, via perplexity_search","Columbus, Ohio local market video update, May 2026, via perplexity_search","Zillow submarket data for Greater Cleveland east-side suburbs, spring 2026, via perplexity_search","U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates: query attempted but geocoder returned no match for state-level Ohio this cycle"],"summary":"Ohio's housing market enters the week of May 21, 2026 as a standout Midwest performer. The 30-year fixed rate climbed to 6.51% this week, up 15 basis points from 6.36% the prior week, adding modest affordability pressure. Despite elevated rates, price growth across Ohio remains firm: Akron led all U.S. metros in Q1 2026 with a 12% year-over-year price jump, Canton-Massillon posted 7.9% gains, and statewide the median sale price sits at $262,900, up 5.1% year-over-year as of March 2026. Inventory is rising but remains below balanced levels, keeping the Midwest in above-average appreciation territory. For Northeast Ohio homeowners and buyers served by The Young Team at Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan, signals suggest continued pricing strength heading into summer, with pending sales trending higher and days on market still elevated versus peak-frenzy years.","key_stats":[{"label":"30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate (week of May 21, 2026)","value":"6.51%","source":"Freddie Mac PMMS, via mortgage_rates tool, 5/21/2026"},{"label":"15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate (week of May 21, 2026)","value":"5.85%","source":"Freddie Mac PMMS, via mortgage_rates tool, 5/21/2026"},{"label":"30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate (prior week, May 14, 2026)","value":"6.36%","source":"Freddie Mac PMMS, via mortgage_rates tool, 5/14/2026"},{"label":"Ohio Statewide Median Sale Price (March 2026)","value":"$262,900 (+5.1% YoY)","source":"Redfin via perplexity_search"},{"label":"Ohio Active Listings (March 2026)","value":"37,952 (+4.3% YoY)","source":"Redfin via perplexity_search"},{"label":"Ohio Homes Sold (March 2026)","value":"9,711 (+2.4% YoY)","source":"Redfin via perplexity_search"},{"label":"Ohio Median Days on Market (March 2026)","value":"47 days","source":"Redfin via perplexity_search"},{"label":"Akron Metro Q1 2026 YoY Price Appreciation","value":"+12.0% (No. 1 in the nation among all metros)","source":"National Association of REALTORS Q1 2026 metro report, via perplexity_search"},{"label":"Canton-Massillon Metro Q1 2026 YoY Price Appreciation","value":"+7.9%","source":"National Association of REALTORS Q1 2026 metro report, via perplexity_search"},{"label":"Cleveland Metro Median Home Price (approx., spring 2026)","value":"~$150,000","source":"Fortune housing feature, April 2026, via perplexity_search"},{"label":"Ohio Full-Year 2025 Sales Growth","value":"+1.0% vs. 2024","source":"Ohio REALTORS via perplexity_search"},{"label":"Ohio Statewide Median Sales Price (December 2025)","value":"$250,000","source":"Ohio REALTORS via perplexity_search"},{"label":"U.S. April 2026 Existing-Home Sales Pace","value":"4.02 million annualized (+0.2% MoM)","source":"Realtor.com Economic and Housing Market Update, May 15, 2026, via perplexity_search"},{"label":"U.S. Median Existing-Home Sale Price (April 2026)","value":"$417,700 (+~1.0% YoY)","source":"Realtor.com Economic and Housing Market Update, May 15, 2026, via perplexity_search"},{"label":"Census ACS State-Level Demographics (Ohio)","value":"Data unavailable this cycle. Census geocoder returned no match for state-level Ohio query.","source":"demographics tool, attempted call returned error"}],"news_items":[{"url":"https://www.realtor.com/research/reports/housing-market-update/","date":"2026-05-15","source":"Realtor.com Economic and Housing Market Update","headline":"Realtor.com May 15 Update: U.S. Existing-Home Sales Flat at 4.02M Pace; Midwest Posts Strongest Regional Price Growth"},{"url":"https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/metropolitan-median-area-prices-and-affordability","date":"2026-05-15","source":"National Association of REALTORS, Q1 2026 Metropolitan Median Area Prices and Affordability Report","headline":"NAR Q1 2026 Metro Price Report: Akron, Ohio Ranks No. 1 in the Nation with 12% YoY Home Price Appreciation"},{"url":"https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/metropolitan-median-area-prices-and-affordability","date":"2026-05-15","source":"National Association of REALTORS, Q1 2026 Metropolitan Median Area Prices and Affordability Report","headline":"Canton-Massillon Posts 7.9% YoY Q1 Price Gain, Among Top-Ranked U.S. Metros per NAR"},{"url":"https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms","date":"2026-05-21","source":"Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey","headline":"Freddie Mac PMMS: 30-Year Fixed Rises to 6.51%, Up 15 Basis Points Week-Over-Week"},{"url":"https://www.realtor.com/research/reports/rental-report/","date":"2026-05-15","source":"Realtor.com April 2026 Rental Report, via perplexity_search","headline":"National Rent Declines Hit 33rd Consecutive Month in April 2026, Down ~5% from Peak per Realtor.com"}],"notable_changes":["30-year PMMS rate jumped 15 basis points in a single week (6.36% on May 14 to 6.51% on May 21), the largest week-over-week move in recent reporting. Buyers locking rates this week face meaningfully higher payments than those who locked last week.","Akron's Q1 2026 NAR ranking as the No. 1 metro in the nation for home-price appreciation marks a notable milestone for Northeast Ohio and signals pricing pressure that is likely to remain elevated heading into the summer selling season.","Ohio statewide homes sold in March 2026 rose 2.4% YoY per Redfin, continuing a recovery from 2024 sales lows and suggesting demand is absorbing rising inventory without a price correction.","Columbus pending sales rose 24.2% YoY in May 2026 per local market commentary, a forward-looking indicator that suggests Ohio's capital metro is absorbing new listings rapidly. This pattern, if replicated in Northeast Ohio metros, signals continued seller-favorable conditions heading into summer.","The 2026 Ohio Housing Needs Assessment placed the statewide median home price at a record $198,183 for full-year 2024, a benchmark that has already been surpassed by the March 2026 statewide median of $262,900 per Redfin (measurement methodology differs; Redfin includes broader transaction data)."]},"perplexity_calls":2,"census_calls":2,"pmms_calls":1,"tokens_in":6276,"tokens_out":3048,"duration_ms":85436,"created_at":"2026-05-25T20:19:13.375788+00:00"},"ideas":[{"id":"b3ed6754-6a19-445e-8114-1159c81914af","title":"Rents Are Falling Nationally — Is Now Finally the Right Time to Stop Renting and Buy in Northeast Ohio?","description":"With national rents down for 33 consecutive months and roughly 5% below peak, many Northeast Ohio renters are reassessing the buy-vs.-rent math. This article walks through the real numbers: what a typical renter saves each month versus what they'd spend on a mortgage at today's 6.51% rate, why Ohio's relative affordability compared to coastal and Sunbelt markets makes the conversion case stronger here than almost anywhere else in the country, and the specific financial and lifestyle signals that suggest it's time to make the move.","supporting_stats":[{"stat":"30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate (week of May 21, 2026)","value":"6.51%","source":"Freddie Mac PMMS, via mortgage_rates tool, 5/21/2026"},{"stat":"Ohio Statewide Median Sale Price (March 2026)","value":"$262,900 (+5.1% YoY)","source":"Redfin via perplexity_search"},{"stat":"Cleveland Metro Median Home Price (approx., spring 2026)","value":"~$150,000","source":"Fortune housing feature, April 2026, via perplexity_search"}],"status":"pending","created_at":"2026-05-25T20:19:45.719808+00:00"},{"id":"98e94fcd-7fcd-4964-a3b9-8e545bdfef01","title":"Akron Is America's Hottest Housing Market — What That Means for Northeast Ohio Buyers and Sellers Right Now","description":"Break down Akron's historic No. 1 national ranking for home-price appreciation and explain the real-world implications for buyers competing in Summit and Stark counties, sellers evaluating list-price strategy, and homeowners wondering whether to move up or stay put. Include context on how Canton-Massillon's strong gains confirm a broader Northeast Ohio trend, and what both metrics mean for negotiating leverage heading into summer 2026.","supporting_stats":[{"stat":"Akron Metro Q1 2026 YoY Price Appreciation","value":"+12.0% (No. 1 in the nation among all metros)","source":"National Association of REALTORS Q1 2026 metro report, via perplexity_search"},{"stat":"Canton-Massillon Metro Q1 2026 YoY Price Appreciation","value":"+7.9%","source":"National Association of REALTORS Q1 2026 metro report, via perplexity_search"},{"stat":"U.S. Median Existing-Home Sale Price (April 2026)","value":"$417,700 (+~1.0% YoY)","source":"Realtor.com Economic and Housing Market Update, May 15, 2026, via perplexity_search"}],"status":"pending","created_at":"2026-05-25T20:19:45.719808+00:00"},{"id":"1ec4e1b6-c07d-4d61-92cf-79ee519e87e0","title":"More Homes, Higher Prices: How Rising Ohio Inventory Is — and Isn't — Helping Buyers","description":"Ohio's active listings rose 4.3% year-over-year, giving buyers more options on paper — yet prices are still climbing and homes sit an average of 47 days on market. This piece explains the apparent paradox: why more supply hasn't cooled appreciation, how Northeast Ohio's inventory levels compare to a truly balanced market, and what buyers should realistically expect when touring more listings but still facing competitive offer situations.","supporting_stats":[{"stat":"Ohio Active Listings (March 2026)","value":"37,952 (+4.3% YoY)","source":"Redfin via perplexity_search"},{"stat":"Ohio Statewide Median Sale Price (March 2026)","value":"$262,900 (+5.1% YoY)","source":"Redfin via perplexity_search"},{"stat":"Ohio Median Days on Market (March 2026)","value":"47 days","source":"Redfin via perplexity_search"}],"status":"pending","created_at":"2026-05-25T20:19:45.719808+00:00"},{"id":"e995fc0f-cacf-4f7c-8d8b-c0695a7f5146","title":"Why National Housing Headlines Don't Apply to Northeast Ohio — And What Local Data Actually Shows","description":"National existing-home sales are essentially flat at a 4.02 million annualized pace and U.S. price growth is just 1% year-over-year — but Northeast Ohio is running at 12x that appreciation rate. This piece helps homeowners and buyers tune out misleading national noise and focus on the local signals that actually drive decisions: Akron's top-ranked appreciation, Ohio's recovering sales volume, and the east-side Cleveland suburbs quietly posting 8–9% gains. Includes a practical guide to evaluating hyperlocal data before pricing a home or submitting an offer.","supporting_stats":[{"stat":"U.S. April 2026 Existing-Home Sales Pace","value":"4.02 million annualized (+0.2% MoM)","source":"Realtor.com Economic and Housing Market Update, May 15, 2026, via perplexity_search"},{"stat":"Akron Metro Q1 2026 YoY Price Appreciation","value":"+12.0% (No. 1 in the nation among all metros)","source":"National Association of REALTORS Q1 2026 metro report, via perplexity_search"},{"stat":"Ohio Homes Sold (March 2026)","value":"9,711 (+2.4% YoY)","source":"Redfin via perplexity_search"}],"status":"pending","created_at":"2026-05-25T20:19:45.719808+00:00"},{"id":"b0c88f7e-4bc4-447c-b754-acebf778d21d","title":"Rates Jumped 15 Basis Points in One Week — Here's Exactly What That Costs Northeast Ohio Buyers","description":"Translate the week-over-week rate increase from 6.36% to 6.51% into concrete monthly payment dollars across the $200K–$450K price range most common in Northeast Ohio. Show side-by-side payment tables for the 30-year and 15-year fixed products, explain why locking sooner rather than later matters in a volatile rate environment, and give buyers an actionable checklist for getting rate-ready before their next showing.","supporting_stats":[{"stat":"30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate (week of May 21, 2026)","value":"6.51%","source":"Freddie Mac PMMS, via mortgage_rates tool, 5/21/2026"},{"stat":"30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate (prior week, May 14, 2026)","value":"6.36%","source":"Freddie Mac PMMS, via mortgage_rates tool, 5/14/2026"},{"stat":"15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate (week of May 21, 2026)","value":"5.85%","source":"Freddie Mac PMMS, via mortgage_rates tool, 5/21/2026"}],"status":"pending","created_at":"2026-05-25T20:19:45.719808+00:00"}]}