COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gahanna is the hottest home market in the country for the second straight year, according to Realtor.com.

What You Need To Know

  • Gahanna's affordability and proximity to Columbus make it a popular home search, with properties selling quickly, according to Realtor.com

  • Columbus was ranked the top housing market in the nation by Realtor.com this year 

  • With one high school, the town of about 35,000 is a tight-knit community 

Realtor.com looked at the number of buyers searching for homes in ZIP codes across America and the length of time houses stayed on the market, with the Columbus suburb showing high demand.

“[Gahanna’s] ZIP code really represents an area where buyers can come in and actually afford to purchase a home, which is a little bit rare in the country right now,” said Realtor.com Senior Economic Research Analyst Hannah Jones.

Doug Malek and his family moved into their Gahanna home in 2012. He says the town of about 35,000 people is like one big community.

“It’s a nice area,” he said. “It’s quiet. Everyone gets along together. There’s a lot of development around the area.”

He understands why it would be attractive to prospective home buyers.

“We’re approached pretty frequently about selling our property,” he said. “And I know others are as well.”

Malek has no intention of selling, but for those who do put properties on the market, they’re not there long.

“For a ZIP code to be considered hot, it means that homes are selling really, really quickly,” Jones said. “And also drawing in a bunch of buyers traffic.”

That’s what’s happening in Gahanna. A matter of supply and demand.

“Buyers, especially younger buyers who are looking to get into the market right now, face a really challenging market,” she said. “So a lot are looking for how they can get the most bang for their buck.”

Jones said Gahanna offers buyers affordability compared to other markets, while still being close to Columbus. Realtor.com named the city the most popular housing market in the country earlier this year.

“At least one ZIP code in Columbus has been on the hottest zip list for as long as we’ve done the report,” she said. “So, you know, Columbus brings in so much attention. People really want to be there.”

Gahanna is the second location to earn the top spot on Realtor.com’s list two years in a row.