Real Estate Blog for Buyers and Sellers - Norby Fischer

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Do Open Houses Actually Sell Homes? Rarely Directly — But They Serve a Real Purpose

Do Open Houses Actually Sell Homes? Rarely Directly — But They Serve a Real Purpose

Here's an honest answer you might not expect from an agent: most homes are not sold to a buyer who wandered in off an open house. The buyer usually comes from the MLS, portals, and scheduled private showings. So why do them? They generate exposure and momentum. A busy open house creates real activit
What's It Like Living in Hilliard, Ohio? A Guide to the Northwest Side's Steady Performer

What's It Like Living in Hilliard, Ohio? A Guide to the Northwest Side's Steady Performer

Hilliard sits on the northwest side of the Columbus metro and has grown from a small farming community into one of Central Ohio's more substantial suburbs — while keeping a recognizable center. Old Hilliard is the historic core: a small walkable district with local restaurants, shops, and the Hillia
What's Happening in the Columbus Housing Market Right Now? Here's the September 2026 Snapshot

What's Happening in the Columbus Housing Market Right Now? Here's the September 2026 Snapshot

If you're wondering whether it's a good time to buy or sell in Central Ohio, here's what August's numbers — the most recent complete month — actually say. The headline stats: Median sale price: $349,900 Average days on market: 28.7 Months of inventory: 2.52 Homes sold at 97.1% of original list price
Do You Really Need a Home Inspection? Yes — and Here's What Skipping One Actually Risks

Do You Really Need a Home Inspection? Yes — and Here's What Skipping One Actually Risks

Short answer: yes. I'd say that to my own family, and I say it to every buyer I work with. What an inspection is. A licensed inspector spends two to three hours examining the home's systems and structure — roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drainage, appliances — and delivers a written re
What's It Like Living in Powell and Liberty Township? A Look at Delaware County's Southern Edge

What's It Like Living in Powell and Liberty Township? A Look at Delaware County's Southern Edge

Powell sits just north of the Franklin County line, and along with surrounding Liberty Township it forms one of Central Ohio's most sought-after residential corridors. Here's the honest picture. Historic downtown Powell is compact and genuinely charming — local restaurants, a few shops, and commun
What's It Like Living in Gahanna, Ohio? Creekside Charm on the Northeast Side

What's It Like Living in Gahanna, Ohio? Creekside Charm on the Northeast Side

Gahanna sits on the northeast side of Columbus, and it's one of those communities that punches above its name recognition. Officially designated the "Herb Capital of Ohio" (yes, really — there's an herb garden and festival heritage behind it), Gahanna blends established neighborhoods with one of the
What Changes in the Housing Market After Labor Day? The Fall Shift, Explained

What Changes in the Housing Market After Labor Day? The Fall Shift, Explained

Every year, the housing market changes character after Labor Day — reliably enough that smart buyers and sellers plan around it. Here's what typically shifts and why it matters. The buyer pool shrinks — but sharpens. Summer's "we'll move if we find something perfect" browsers largely step back once
What Does a Buyer's Agent Actually Do? Far More Than Open Doors — Here's the Real Job

What Does a Buyer's Agent Actually Do? Far More Than Open Doors — Here's the Real Job

There's a running joke that buyer's agents just unlock doors and collect a check. Let me pull back the curtain on what the job actually involves — because the door-opening part is maybe 5% of it. Before you ever tour: A real buyer consultation — your goals, budget, timeline, financing plan. Connecti
What's It Like Living in Grove City, Ohio? The Southwest Side's Best-Kept Non-Secret

What's It Like Living in Grove City, Ohio? The Southwest Side's Best-Kept Non-Secret

Grove City, on the southwest side of the Columbus metro, has quietly become one of the most compelling value stories in Central Ohio — and the people who live there would prefer you keep that quiet. Sorry, neighbors. The Town Center: Grove City's historic downtown has real charm — local restaurants,
Is the Zestimate Your Home's Actual Value? No — It's an Algorithm's Guess, and the Gap Can Be Thousands

Is the Zestimate Your Home's Actual Value? No — It's an Algorithm's Guess, and the Gap Can Be Thousands

Automated home value estimates — Zillow's Zestimate being the most famous — are a starting point, not an answer. Even the companies behind them say so. Here's how they work: an algorithm crunches public records, tax data, past sale prices, and listing information to estimate what your home might b
What's It Like Living in Dublin, Ohio? A Guide to One of Columbus's Signature Suburbs

What's It Like Living in Dublin, Ohio? A Guide to One of Columbus's Signature Suburbs

Dublin, on the northwest side of the Columbus metro, has spent decades building a reputation — and unlike some reputations, this one's earned. Here's the honest local picture. Two downtowns, really. Historic Dublin offers stone buildings, Irish heritage, and independent restaurants along the Scioto
How Long Does It Take to Buy a House? Typically 2–4 Months From Serious Search to Keys

How Long Does It Take to Buy a House? Typically 2–4 Months From Serious Search to Keys

The honest answer: from the day you get pre-approved to the day you get keys, most of my buyers land somewhere between two and four months. But the range is wide, and knowing what drives it helps you plan. Here's the typical timeline, broken down: Pre-approval: a few days. Gathering documents and ge
What's It Like Living in Westerville, Ohio? A Local Agent's Honest Guide

What's It Like Living in Westerville, Ohio? A Local Agent's Honest Guide

Westerville sits on the northeast side of the Columbus metro, and it's one of those suburbs that consistently surprises people who haven't spent time there — because it doesn't feel like a suburb built around a highway exit. It feels like a town. The heart of it: Uptown Westerville. A genuinely walk
What's Happening in the Columbus Housing Market Right Now? Here's the August 2026 Snapshot

What's Happening in the Columbus Housing Market Right Now? Here's the August 2026 Snapshot

If you're wondering whether it's a good time to buy or sell in Central Ohio, here's what July's numbers — the most recent complete month — actually say. The headline stats: Median sale price: $355,000 Average days on market: 27 Months of inventory: 2.46 Homes sold at 97.7% of original list price on
What Are the Best Low-Cost Curb Appeal Upgrades Before Listing? These 10 Cost Under $200 Each

What Are the Best Low-Cost Curb Appeal Upgrades Before Listing? These 10 Cost Under $200 Each

You don't need a landscaping crew to make buyers slow down in front of your house. Most of the highest-impact curb appeal upgrades cost less than $200 — some less than $20. Here are the ten I recommend to sellers most often: Paint or replace the front door. It's the focal point of every listing ph

EPIQUE NEWS LIVE

Do Open Houses Actually Sell Homes? Rarely Directly — But They Serve a Real Purpose

Do Open Houses Actually Sell Homes? Rarely Directly — But They Serve a Real Purpose

What's It Like Living in Hilliard, Ohio? A Guide to the Northwest Side's Steady Performer

What's It Like Living in Hilliard, Ohio? A Guide to the Northwest Side's Steady Performer

What's Happening in the Columbus Housing Market Right Now? Here's the September 2026 Snapshot

What's Happening in the Columbus Housing Market Right Now? Here's the September 2026 Snapshot

Do You Really Need a Home Inspection? Yes — and Here's What Skipping One Actually Risks

Do You Really Need a Home Inspection? Yes — and Here's What Skipping One Actually Risks

What's It Like Living in Powell and Liberty Township? A Look at Delaware County's Southern Edge

What's It Like Living in Powell and Liberty Township? A Look at Delaware County's Southern Edge

What's It Like Living in Gahanna, Ohio? Creekside Charm on the Northeast Side

What's It Like Living in Gahanna, Ohio? Creekside Charm on the Northeast Side

What Changes in the Housing Market After Labor Day? The Fall Shift, Explained

What Changes in the Housing Market After Labor Day? The Fall Shift, Explained

What Does a Buyer's Agent Actually Do? Far More Than Open Doors — Here's the Real Job

What Does a Buyer's Agent Actually Do? Far More Than Open Doors — Here's the Real Job

What's It Like Living in Grove City, Ohio? The Southwest Side's Best-Kept Non-Secret

What's It Like Living in Grove City, Ohio? The Southwest Side's Best-Kept Non-Secret

Is the Zestimate Your Home's Actual Value? No — It's an Algorithm's Guess, and the Gap Can Be Thousands

Is the Zestimate Your Home's Actual Value? No — It's an Algorithm's Guess, and the Gap Can Be Thousands

What's It Like Living in Dublin, Ohio? A Guide to One of Columbus's Signature Suburbs

What's It Like Living in Dublin, Ohio? A Guide to One of Columbus's Signature Suburbs

How Long Does It Take to Buy a House? Typically 2–4 Months From Serious Search to Keys

How Long Does It Take to Buy a House? Typically 2–4 Months From Serious Search to Keys

What's It Like Living in Westerville, Ohio? A Local Agent's Honest Guide

What's It Like Living in Westerville, Ohio? A Local Agent's Honest Guide

What's Happening in the Columbus Housing Market Right Now? Here's the August 2026 Snapshot

What's Happening in the Columbus Housing Market Right Now? Here's the August 2026 Snapshot

What Are the Best Low-Cost Curb Appeal Upgrades Before Listing? These 10 Cost Under $200 Each

What Are the Best Low-Cost Curb Appeal Upgrades Before Listing? These 10 Cost Under $200 Each