Dublin remains the fastest-growing suburb in Central Ohio, with population up 18 % since 2010 and 1,200 new single-family permits filed last year—yet resale inventory sits at a 10-year low. Median sale price hit $540,000 in May 2024, but price per square foot varies sharply by school zone: homes zoned to Washington Elementary command $198/sqft, while those feeding Thomas average $172. New construction accounts for 38 % of sales, and builders (Dominion, M/I, Fischer) are pre-selling lots for 2025 delivery at $210-225/sqft. Cash offers represent 27 % of transactions, so financed buyers need a sharp pre-approval and minimal repair contingencies. Dublin’s rental yield is creeping up—3-bed townhomes lease for $2,400—making FHA house-hacking attractive for first-time investors.

• Days on market: 9 (down from 14 last year)
• List-to-sale ratio: 102.4 %
• Price growth YoY: 6.8 % vs. 4.1 % statewide

Franklin County’s median household income is $68,400, so most Dublin newcomers qualify for OHFA First-Time Homebuyer at 80 % AMI ($78,700 for two-person household). OHFA pairs a 30-yr fixed at 5.875 % with 2.5 % down-payment assistance—on a $300 K purchase that’s $7,500 forgiven after five years. Dublin’s Community Development Block Grant adds another $5,000 for buyers inside city limits; combine both and you can cover the 3.5 % FHA down payment with room left for closing. NMHL waives our $1,195 underwriting fee for any borrower using OHFA or Dublin grant, and we credit $500 toward appraisal.

Credit-challenged? We approve FHA to 580 with no additional overlays—last month we closed on a Riverside Dr. condo with a 592 mid-score and 3 % seller-paid closing help. If you’ve had a Chapter 7, we require only 24 months discharge and two recent tradelines—far more flexible than local banks demanding four.

Dublin’s proximity to Wright-Patterson AFB (55 min) and Rickenbacker ANGB (25 min) means a steady stream of retired military settling here for the schools and 2.5 % unemployment rate. NMHL is a direct VA lender with no county loan limit for zero-down purchases—so a disabled vet can buy a $700 K home on Glick Rd. with $0 out of pocket and we’ll still fund. We reduce the 2.15 % funding fee to 1.25 % if you have 10 % or more disability, and we allow 100 % gift funds for the fee if needed.

Surviving spouses with Certificate of Eligibility can also use VA; we recently helped a spouse purchase in Ballantrae at $525 K, closed in 19 days, and the buyer received a 3 % seller credit that covered all closing plus a new fence.

Dublin’s tech corridor along 161 hosts Oracle, OCLC, and Nestlé, but many consultants and app developers file substantial write-offs, slashing taxable income. NMHL’s bank-statement program qualifies you using 12 or 24 months of business or personal statements; we gross-up deposits by 50 % expense factor or use your actual expense ratio if lower. Credit scores down to 680 are accepted, and we allow debt-to-income ratios to 50 % with two months reserves. Rates start at 7.25 % for a 30-yr fixed, 6.875 % for a 5-yr ARM, and you can take cash-out to 85 % LTV.

Recent example: UX designer with $195 K gross deposits but only $42 K on Schedule-C—we qualified him for $590 K on Kilkenny Ct. with 10 % down, closed in 22 days, and he retained $70 K in the business for future contracts.

Franklin County reassesses every three years; the next county-wide reappraisal hits January 2025. Expect assessed value to jump toward 90 % of market, pushing the annual tax on a $500 K home to roughly $11,900. Dublin City Schools levy 54 mills of the total, and voters just renewed a 6.9-mill bond in 2023, so rates are stable. You can appeal within 30 days of the new valuation using recent comparable sales—NMHL clients receive a free appeal template and can pull our appraisal if ordered within 12 months. Homestead exemption knocks $26,200 off assessed value for seniors 65+ or 100 % disabled vets, worth about $625/year in savings.

• Historic Dublin – $450-650 K cottages, walkable to Bridge Park, 5-min commute to downtown Columbus via 33.
• Ballantrae – Golf-course community, $500-900 K, Dublin Schools, 10-acre lots.
• Tartan Fields – Luxury $700-1.4 M, Muirfield schools, custom builds, 24-hr guard.
• Jerome Village – New construction from $350 K, USDA eligible north of 42, community farm.
• Sawmill Commons – Condos $240-290 K, low HOA, on the river path, 10-min to Riverside Hospital.