Why Now Is a Good Time to Buy a Home in Cleveland | December 2025 Market Update

December 2025 is shaping up to be a surprisingly good moment to buy a home in Cleveland, especially for buyers who have been watching the market from the sidelines. Cleveland’s median sale price sits around $135,000, up roughly 6% from last year, which shows the market is healthy without being overheated. At the same time, national data shows the median monthly mortgage payment has dropped to its lowest level of the year, even with rates hovering in the mid-6% range, giving qualified buyers slightly more breathing room in their monthly budgets. For a city that’s still significantly more affordable than the national median sale price of about $393,000, that combination of modest appreciation and lower monthly payments is an attractive entry point.​

Cleveland also offers buyers more leverage than in the frenzied markets of the last few years. Homes now spend an average of about 37–38 days on market, up from roughly a month last year, which means buyers have a bit more time to compare options and negotiate. New listings and active inventory are higher than they were a year ago, giving you a wider range of neighborhoods, price points, and property types to choose from. While some segments—especially updated homes in popular neighborhoods—still attract multiple offers, the overall market has shifted closer to balance. In practical terms, that often translates into more realistic list prices, room for inspection requests or seller concessions, and less pressure to waive protections just to win the house.​

Another reason December is appealing: most casual shoppers have stepped back for the holidays, leaving mainly serious buyers and motivated sellers in the market. Nationwide, only about 22% of homes are currently selling above list price, down from one in four last year, a trend that reduces the likelihood of runaway bidding wars. Locally, recent Cleveland data shows homes selling for just under 2% below asking on average, which signals that many sellers are willing to negotiate to close before year-end. If you pair that with stabilizing interest rates and the expectation that existing home sales will rise again in 2026, buying now can mean locking in today’s prices before the next wave of demand arrives.​

For buyers who are financially ready—steady income, savings for down payment and closing costs, and room in the budget for maintenance—December 2025 in Cleveland offers a compelling mix: historically low relative prices, a bit more inventory, and more negotiating power than in the peak spring months. Instead of waiting and hoping for a big price drop that experts do not expect, many local buyers may find this winter is the right window to secure a home that fits both their life and their long-term financial plans.