Intro:
It’s not a question most people ask out loud, but I love it when they do: “Where does real estate actually come from?” The answer tells you everything about how Columbus has grown — from farmland to subdivisions to high-rise condos. Here’s how a blank piece of land becomes the neighborhoods we live in.
1. It All Starts With the Land
Every community in Central Ohio begins with raw land — farmland, woods, or old industrial sites. Developers identify parcels with potential and assemble them for residential or mixed-use projects. You can see this in action north of Polaris and around Evans Farm, where open land is transforming into full-scale communities.
2. Zoning Turns Dirt Into Opportunity
Land isn’t automatically ready to build. Cities and townships (like Powell or Liberty Township) control how it’s zoned — single-family, multifamily, or commercial. Developers work with planners and city councils to rezone property and design layouts that fit the area’s long-term vision.
3. Infrastructure Makes It Buildable
Roads, sewer, water, electric, storm drains — none of that happens by magic. Developers handle the heavy lifting first, investing millions before a single home hits the market. That’s why neighborhoods like Dublin’s Jerome Village or Westerville’s Highland Lakes feel so cohesive — they were planned from the ground up.
4. Builders Bring the Vision to Life
Once lots are approved, builders like 3 Pillar, Bob Webb, Kenric, and Pulte purchase parcels and construct homes that fit the design standards. That’s when Realtors like me step in — helping buyers understand each builder’s value, pricing, and customization options.
5. The Cycle Never Really Ends
As Columbus keeps expanding, older areas get revitalized, and new ones rise from farmland. Real estate doesn’t just come from land — it comes from vision, planning, and people willing to bet on the future of this city.
CTA:
👉 Curious which areas around Columbus are being developed right now — and where the next wave of growth will hit? Let’s talk.
[Contact Patrick Murphy, REALTOR® — Columbus, Powell & Dublin Expert]