In the Columbus luxury market, the nicest homes in Dublin, Powell, Evans Farm, and Upper Arlington rarely sit around waiting for you to “see them on Zillow.” By the time the perfect place in Westerville, New Albany, Lewis Center, or Delaware looks good enough online to schedule a tour, there’s a decent chance someone like you has already written an offer—because they heard about it early. Let’s talk about how serious luxury buyers actually get first crack at the good stuff.

1. The Real Game Is Played Before the Listing Goes Live

By the time a listing hits the portals, you’re in a crowd. The smart play is to get signal before the noise:

• Agent-to-agent conversations about “coming soon” listings.

• Sellers quietly testing the waters before they commit to full photography and staging.

• Past clients who say, “If you ever have a buyer for my house in Highland Lakes, call me first.”

You don’t see that on a website. You get that through a plugged-in agent who’s constantly talking to other top producers across Columbus and the suburbs.

2. Builder Relationships = Early Access in Luxury Communities

In places like Evans Farm, parts of Dublin schools, and new pockets in Lewis Center and Delaware, some of the best homes never feel like a traditional listing at all.

Because I’m in and out of these communities weekly, I’ll often know:

• Which spec homes are almost ready but not yet advertised.

• Which lots have a change of plans (buyers backed out, timeline shifted).

• Where a builder is willing to be aggressive on price or upgrades if we can move quickly.

If you’re only watching resale portals, you’re missing half the new-home opportunities.

3. Your Search Criteria Are Probably Too Basic

“I want 4 beds, 3.5 baths, Dublin schools” is how everyone searches. Luxury buyers need a more surgical filter:

• Street-level preferences (quiet cul-de-sac in Westerville vs. busier connector).

• Micro-neighborhoods in Upper Arlington, New Albany, or Powell that hold value better than the boxes on a map suggest.

• Floorplan realities: main-floor primary? True guest suite? Real home office, not a token 9x9 room by the front door?

When we work together, we refine your non-negotiables so I can spot “that’s your house” the second I see a whisper listing or a price drop.

4. The People Who Win Are Already “Offer-Ready”

In the $700K–$1.5M+ range, you don’t have three days to think about it once the right home appears.

Serious buyers in Columbus, Powell, Dublin, Westerville, and beyond:

• Have approval and proof of funds ready to go.

• Know their max numbers and comfort zone before they step foot inside.

• Understand which contingencies we can keep, tweak, or tighten to stay competitive without being reckless.

When the right home pops, we’re writing, not scrambling.

5. Why You Need a Connector, Not Just a Door-Opener

You don’t hire me just to unlock doors. You hire me to:

• Hear about homes early, often before they’re polished for the public.

• Interpret the story behind each property—why it’s for sale, how aggressive the seller really is, what the neighborhood is doing.

• Build a strategy so you’re not chasing every shiny object, just the right ones.

If you want to quietly but confidently secure a standout home in Columbus, Dublin, Powell, Evans Farm, Westerville, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Lewis Center, or Delaware, you don’t need more apps—you need better access.

[Contact Patrick Murphy, REALTOR® — Columbus, Powell & Dublin Expert]