Thinking of buying a home soon? Read this first

Happy post-Opening Day Friday, Cincinnati.

I’m Enquirer business reporter Randy Tucker . As someone who’s been covering the housing market for the past several years, I was surprised by the latest monthly data showing more homes for sale and inventory levels creeping up.

I thought buyers might finally catch a break in a market that has been dominated by home sellers setting asking prices as high as possible or just sitting on the 3-4% mortgage rates they locked down before the pandemic, refusing to list their homes. But the growing supply of homes for sale only tells part of the story as the busy spring-and-summer buying season heats up.

Increased inventory hasn’t been enough to satisfy the ravenous demand for housing in the local market. Home prices continue to climb at a blistering pace, indicating buyers are still dealing with red-hot competition and bidding wars for the most desirable properties.

That house you may be eyeballing is likely to already have a mound of offers. So it's imperative to act fast even if buying conditions aren't as optimal as they may be later in the season, local Realtors tell me.

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What else you need to know Friday, March 29

🌤 Weather: High of 69. Pleasant with intervals of clouds and sunshine.

🕶 Eclipse glasses: Do they expire? Ohio doctors offer solar eclipse safety tips.

🐟 Last chance! Map shows fish fries open on Good Friday.

🎤 On sale this week: The hottest Cincinnati concert tickets .

🗳 Vote: Cincinnati Enquirer Student of the Week ballot , March 25.

Before you go: Egg-cellent weekend events

Our roundup of the top 10 things to do Easter weekend in Cincinnati features egg hunts for the family, a record fair in Northside and ... eight other things.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Thinking of buying a home soon? Read this first