I've been watching the 2026 housing data closely, and the shift is becoming impossible to ignore. Fortune recently reported that Florida and Texas are now the biggest losers in the housing market, while Ohio has quietly emerged as the surprise winner.

Here's what the numbers are saying:

· Columbus home prices are up more than 7% year over year, with a median sale price of $301,000.

· Toledo was ranked the fourth-hottest housing market in the country by Realtor.com for 2026, with projected price growth of 13.1%.

· Meanwhile, the Q2 2026 Fix-and-Flip Index fell to its second consecutive quarterly decline – but flippers in the Midwest and Northern California are still selling above ARV.

What this means for wholesalers:

· More buyer interest in the Midwest – As investors pivot away from saturated Sunbelt markets, Ohio is positioned to absorb that capital.

· Motivated sellers are becoming more accessible – With inventory rising across Ohio and days on market stretching, sellers are more open to cash offers.

· Off-market deals are still the best opportunities – The best deals never hit Zillow. Direct mail, skip tracing, and relationships are still how you find motivated sellers.

I've been tracking tax-delinquent lists and skip-tracing owners in Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, and the conversations are noticeably different now compared to six months ago. More owners are picking up the phone.

For those actively sourcing in the Midwest – are you seeing the same shift? Are sellers becoming easier to engage, or is the softening market making them more hesitant? And for those still in Sunbelt markets – are you feeling the strain, or is there still opportunity?

Curious to hear what others are seeing on the ground.