Thinking about buying or selling in Montgomery’s 45242 and wondering how inventory is shifting this year? You are not alone. With prices holding firm and days on market changing by price band, timing and strategy matter more than ever. This guide breaks down what is happening with inventory in 45242 and how you can use it to your advantage. Let’s dive in.
Quick snapshot: 45242 right now
As of August 2025, the median sale price in 45242 was about $641,476, up roughly 3.5% year over year. Zillow’s typical home value for the ZIP was about $531,377, up about 4.6% over the same period. Inventory remains modest in absolute terms, with roughly a few dozen active listings at any given time.
Buyers and sellers are still finding traction. The median days on market was about 41 days in August, which is longer than many lower-priced Cincinnati areas. Sale-to-list ratios around 101% to 102% suggest well-prepared, well-priced homes can still sell at or slightly above list. In August, dozens of homes went pending and 79 closed, showing steady activity at higher price points.
How Montgomery compares across the region
Active inventory across Greater Cincinnati rose through 2025, giving buyers more choices. For example, the REALTOR Alliance’s July update reported active listings up about 34.6% year over year to roughly 2,976 listings regionwide. You can see that trend in the REALTOR Alliance July 2025 report.
Days on market vary widely by submarket and price tier. Some regional snapshots in mid-2025 showed a median of about 7 days, while 45242 ran closer to six weeks. Months of supply also diverges by price band. Many areas still hovered under 3 months of inventory, while others moved toward a more balanced 3 to 5 months. The June market update and March update from the REALTOR Alliance offer useful context on these shifts.
What is driving inventory shifts
- Mortgage rate lock-in. Many owners with sub-6% mortgages have been reluctant to list, which kept supply tight. Local coverage notes this lock-in effect even as some listing activity returned in 2025. See the Cincinnati Business Courier’s forecast on rate lock-in for context.
- Regional supply improved in 2025. New listings and active inventory rose compared with 2024, which gave buyers more options in many price bands. The REALTOR Alliance June summary highlights this regional trend.
- Price-tier and product mix. Montgomery is weighted toward upper-price single-family homes. Fewer entry-level options can reduce bidding frenzies but support steady values. A regional look at product mix and pricing is outlined in this market overview.
- Seasonal cycles. Spring and early summer typically bring more listings and pendings, while late summer and fall can cool. The March market snapshot illustrates how timing shapes short-term inventory.
What this means for sellers
Price and preparation still drive results in 45242. Buyers are selective at higher price points, and condition, presentation, and precise pricing set the pace. Given a median timeline closer to six weeks, plan for a thoughtful marketing period and be open to negotiating terms if your price band is crowded.
- Aim to list when buyer activity is strongest, often spring through early summer.
- Use recent closed comps to set price and track active vs. pending counts in your micro-area.
- Invest in prep: repairs, light updates, staging, and professional photos.
- Expect solid interest for well-positioned homes, with realistic flexibility on timing and terms.
Smart pricing checklist
- Review the last 90 days of comparable sales in 45242.
- Study current active and pending listings in your price band.
- Adjust for lot, updates, and location features such as nearby amenities and school-district boundaries.
- Set a launch plan that includes staging, marketing assets, and a clear showing schedule.
What this means for buyers
You likely have more choice than a year ago, but inventory in 45242 is still limited in absolute numbers. The best homes move, and some still command strong terms. Come in prepared and match your offer to the home’s condition and the data.
- Secure a strong pre-approval and be ready to move quickly on the right home.
- Watch recent sales and current actives to avoid overbidding on homes that need work.
- Use clean terms and a clear timeline when you are competing for a standout listing.
- Track micro-seasonal shifts and neighborhood-level activity, not just monthly medians.
Quick buyer prep list
- Pre-approval in hand and budget fully modeled, including rate scenarios.
- Tour the best-fit homes early to learn the price-quality range in 45242.
- Align offer strategy with recent comps and seller priorities.
- Plan your trade-in or contingency path before you write.
How to read the numbers without the noise
ZIP-level stats can swing because 45242 has fewer monthly closings. One or two high-priced sales can shift the median. Different data sources use different methods, so pick a consistent data set for month-to-month checks. Region-level trends can be helpful for context, but they often mask price-tier differences common in Montgomery.
For a fuller picture, pair a rolling 3- or 12-month view with a current scan of active and pending listings in your price band. For regional context, the REALTOR Alliance’s monthly updates are helpful, and demographic snapshots from Census Reporter can explain why turnover patterns differ by area.
Next steps in 45242
If you are planning a move in Montgomery, start with a current read on inventory, days on market, and recent comps in your exact price band. Then match your pricing, prep, and offer strategy to the market segment you will be in. When you want a clear plan and an experienced advocate, reach out to David Hirschman for a focused, data-informed game plan tailored to 45242.
FAQs
Is Montgomery’s 45242 a buyer’s or seller’s market right now?
- It depends on price band. Regionally, inventory rose in 2025, while 45242 stayed competitive for well-prepared homes and showed longer timelines overall, so read your segment’s actives, pendings, and recent comps before deciding strategy.
Are prices still rising in 45242 in 2025?
- ZIP-level data through August 2025 pointed to modest year-over-year gains, though monthly direction can vary, so use rolling 3- or 12-month trends plus recent comps for guidance.
How fast are homes selling in 45242 compared with the region?
- Recent figures show a median around six weeks in 45242 versus much shorter medians in some lower-priced Cincinnati areas, reflecting different turnover at higher price points.
What should sellers do to stand out in Montgomery?
- Price to recent closed comps, invest in condition and staging, use top-tier marketing, and time your launch when buyer activity is strongest in your price band.
What should buyers do to compete in a selective market like 45242?
- Get fully pre-approved, move quickly on quality listings, write clean offers aligned with comps and condition, and monitor active-to-pending ratios in your target micro-area.
