The Future of Columbus Real Estate

A Conversation with Jon Styer

Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and the rental market has evolved with it. In this episode, we sit down with Jon Styer—broker and owner of Styer Real Estate Professionals and Styer Hospitality Co.—to talk about what he’s learned managing over 100 furnished rentals across Central Ohio.

This episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered investment, financial, or legal advice. Always consult qualified professionals before making real estate or investment decisions.

We dig into who’s actually staying in midterm rentals (spoiler: it’s not mostly traveling nurses—it’s traveling tradespeople drawn by the massive development happening across the region). Jon breaks down which neighborhoods are performing, what guests are really looking for, and why the era of gray walls and IKEA furniture is over.

The Market Has Changed

During COVID, the short-term rental market in Columbus saw a lot of saturation. But that era is ending. Jon sees operators without strong systems, design standards, and hospitality expertise fading from the market. As he puts it: “If you’re gonna do this right, you need to do it right or you shouldn’t do it at all.”

What’s replacing them? Professionals who understand that furnished rentals are a hospitality business, not passive income. Guests aren’t walking properties before booking. They’re making decisions based on photographs and reviews, comparing your listing against dozens of alternatives. If your property doesn’t create an immediate emotional response, it doesn’t get booked.

Design Decisions That Drive Performance

Jon’s portfolio reveals consistent patterns about what works. The details that separate top performers from the rest aren’t always expensive, but they are intentional:

Natural light and warmth: Properties with abundant windows, thoughtful lighting, and warm color palettes photograph better and feel more inviting. Gray walls had their moment. That moment is over.

Layered textures: Rugs, quality linens, and varied materials create the feeling of a home rather than a sterile unit. Guests notice when these elements are missing.

Functional layouts for extended stays: Midterm guests staying 30-90 days have different needs than weekend visitors. First-floor laundry, fenced yards for pets, garage parking for Ohio winters, and dedicated workspace areas matter more than Instagram-worthy but impractical features.

Visible quality: Comfortable beds, quality fixtures, and craftsmanship that shows in photographs build trust before guests ever arrive. Reviews consistently mention sleep quality and attention to detail.

Who’s Actually Staying in Columbus?

Understanding the guest profile shapes design priorities. While many assume traveling nurses dominate the midterm rental market, Jon’s data tells a different story. The largest segment is traveling tradespeople: electricians, welders, pipe fitters, and specialized technicians drawn to Columbus by the unprecedented development across the region.

These guests are professionals working demanding jobs. They want a home away from home, not a hotel. They’re here to work hard, rest, do laundry, and occasionally host visiting family on weekends. And if they’re paying out of pocket, they’re earning good money because of their specialized skills.

Other significant guest segments include families relocating to Columbus who need furnished housing while building or purchasing permanent homes, patients coming for extended medical treatment at facilities like the James Cancer Hospital, and university-affiliated professionals including visiting researchers and adjunct faculty.

Location Strategy for Maximum Returns

Jon’s approach to site selection starts with a simple question: why would someone choose this specific property? Every midterm guest has a primary reason for being in Columbus, and proximity to that reason drives their search.

The corridor between Routes 315 and 71 performs consistently well due to healthcare networks and Ohio State University. The eastern suburbs along 270, stretching north through Westerville into Powell and Delaware County, benefit from ongoing development projects. Reynoldsburg offers strong affordability while maintaining access to major employment centers.

Jon also identifies market gaps representing opportunity: Grove City and western Columbus remain underserved despite demand. Being the quality option in an undersupplied submarket dramatically improves occupancy and rate potential.

Investment in Design Is Investment in Returns

One of the most important shifts Jon describes is recognizing that design investment isn’t separate from property investment. It’s essential to it. The capital you put into wallpaper, quality furniture, lighting, and finishes doesn’t show up on an appraisal, but it shows up in booking rates, nightly pricing power, and guest reviews.

Properties where owners cut corners on design consistently underperform. The savings on furniture and finishes get erased by lower occupancy, reduced rates, and mediocre reviews that compound over time. The market is becoming sophisticated enough that guests recognize and reward quality.

The Barrier to Entry Is Rising

Columbus’s real estate market is maturing rapidly. Zoning regulations are evolving after 70 years without significant updates. New ADU policies will increase housing supply while creating new regulatory requirements. The city is beginning to operate like the major metropolitan area it has become.

For investors, this means the window for easy entry is closing. Those already in the market with professional operations, strong design standards, and hospitality-focused service have significant advantages. New entrants will need to compete at a higher level from day one.

Columbus Is Growing Up

Jon predicts continued expansion, with today’s outlying communities becoming tomorrow’s established suburbs. Housing demand will continue outpacing supply. People moving from higher-cost markets view Columbus as a great value, which only accelerates appreciation and raises expectations for quality.

The shift Nick observed moving from New York eight years ago has accelerated. Columbus residents increasingly understand and value professional design services. The expectation gap between what guests accept in furnished rentals and what they find in other hospitality experiences is closing.

For investors who recognize that design drives performance, Columbus remains one of the most compelling markets in the country. For those still operating on outdated assumptions about what the market will tolerate, the reckoning is already underway.

The investors who will thrive in Columbus’s next chapter are those who understand that slow and steady requires getting the fundamentals right. And increasingly, design is fundamental.

Connect with Jon Styer

Jon Styer is the broker and owner of Styer Real Estate Professionals and Styer Hospitality Co., managing furnished rentals across Central Ohio. He also hosts Columbus Brick by Brick, a podcast uncovering the people, projects, and ideas shaping Columbus real estate.