If you’re buying your first home around Columbus in 2026, you don’t need hype—you need a clear map. I help first-timers zero in on submarkets where value, lifestyle, and future resale actually line up. Here’s how I guide clients across Columbus, Powell, Dublin, Westerville, Lewis Center, Delaware, and Worthington—plus popular new-build pockets like Evans Farm.

1) Where the numbers still pencil

Starter homes are scarce—so you go where inventory and pricing trends still cooperate. Westerville’s condo/townhome clusters, Worthington’s tidy ranch streets, and select corners of Delaware offer approachable entry points without sacrificing livability. In Lewis Center, some Olentangy-School-District areas deliver “budget-friendly for the district” when you target pre-list and quiet-market opportunities I track daily.

2) Commute + convenience = quality of life

First-time buyers win when daily life stays easy: proximity to Polaris, Bridge Park (Dublin), Uptown Westerville, Downtown Delaware, and Worthington’s High Street corridor changes how often you use your home and neighborhood. I prioritize pockets with quick access to 23/270/315 and walkable food/fitness so you actually enjoy your first place, not just pay for it.

3) School districts and resale power

Even if kids aren’t on your radar, buyers pay a premium for districts like Dublin, Olentangy (Lewis Center/Delaware), Westerville, and Worthington. That demand supports future resale. I’ll show you micro-areas where you capture the district halo without getting priced out by the most competitive streets.

4) New-build vs. resale: what actually fits a first-timer

Evans Farm and nearby Lewis Center/Delaware builds tempt with warranties and modern layouts, while established Westerville/Worthington neighborhoods offer shade trees, longer-term stability, and lower maintenance surprises if the big systems are updated. I’ll stack incentives, HOA details, and projected carrying costs side-by-side so the choice is obvious.

5) Buy smart, not just fast

The best first purchase is the one that lets you move up later. We’ll target homes with easy cosmetic upside (paint, lighting, hardware), avoid money-pit red flags, and negotiate terms that keep your path to the next home open—whether that’s a larger Powell two-story, a Dublin cul-de-sac, or a Westerville four-bed near trails.

Ready to pinpoint the right starter home in Columbus, Lewis Center, Westerville, Delaware, Worthington—or a new build in Evans Farm? I’ll bring off-market intel, neighborhood nuance, and a clean plan from tour to keys.

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