We are local real estate experts in the city's urban neighborhoods: 
German Village, Victorian Village, Harrison West, Downtown, Short North, Clintonville, and more.
Buying or selling, we look forward to serving your needs!

COLUMBUS URBAN REAL ESTATE


 

PAST CLIENT REVIEWS

  • Dan Moorhead
    Selecting Joe was a family decision including our 3 adult children who came to town for the interview. Our decision to select Joe was unanimous! Joe is very tapped into all the “e” tools that are essential to selling houses these days. He also provided excellent suggestion on how to get our house ready to sell to include have an inspection and making corrections prior to listing. Doing that, made the “sell” a lot easier and quicker. I heartily recommend Joe. He goes out of his way to make all the details easier to accomplish. You will not go wrong if you select Joe to sell your home.
  • Noemi Moorhead
    What a hardworking and thorough realtor, Joseph Speakman is. So lucky to have found him to facilitate the sale of our house. And YES! He definitely expedited getting it sold even before first showing. With our meet/greet meeting, he provided us sound advise in doing proactive strategies to get our place ready like getting a professional home inspection done and documentation of actions done. As we had to move out of state, he took over all the things needed to get our place in great shape. Joseph is an excellent communicator and kept us posted of every sale progress. What a blessing to have our house sold even before we reached our out of state new place. The icing of the sale: we were paid at asking price in cash. A miracle worker, Joseph!! Thank you so much.
  • Jimm Wiedeman
    Upmost professional. Very helpful. Very knowledgeable about the Columbus market.
  • Ashley Miller
    We had a great experience with Joe! We were only in town for a weekend and had to find a place to rent -- Joe made himself incredibly accessible and responded to our inquiry within minutes. He even came to check in on move-in day!
  • Karin Cash
    Joe has one reason to help you. He is a professional. He has seen it all, he knows who to call, financing, the markets, pricing and lenders. Dont call your brother in law who is starting out. Call Joe and use his knowledge to help you get the best value for what is often your most valuable asset. Ive known him for 15 years and he has served hundreds of buyers and sellers.
  • joe sauk
    Love working with Joe and his clients great Realtor in Columbus Ohio
  • Lindsey Wiggers
    Joe was such a help as we were looking to buy an investment property. He was easy to communicate with, always available and was super quick to answer questions, share feedback, etc. My husband and I will definitely recommend Joe to friends in the market!
  • Dina S.
    We wanted to work with a realtor who lives and works in our neighborhood and understands the condo market. We read many reviews and decided on Joseph versus a realtor we’d worked with before from outside our sale area. We feel that it was a great decision because Joseph understands the market and advised us how to price appropriately. We sold quickly. The whole process was efficient and Joseph’s communication was great!
  • Dina Shirk
    We wanted to work with a realtor who lives and works in our neighborhood and understands the condo market. We read many reviews and decided on Joseph versus a realtor we’d worked with before from outside our sale area. We feel that it was a great decision because Joseph understands the market and advised us how to price appropriately. We sold quickly. The whole process was efficient and Joseph’s communication was great!
  • Joe Ferrara
    I've experienced many a real estate agents in my time....from NJ to Florida to Virginia to Ohio.......We were in a rush to find a suitable place to live in Columbus. Do we rent or buy? It was daunting.......My wife searched for a real estate agent and voila...Joe Speakman came up. We read his reviews and decided to give him a call. It was one of the best calls we ever made honestly. Our first conversation with Joe sealed it. He was professional, knowledgeable and friendly. He immediately started to send us listings and possible rentals. Once we traveled there and met him, we were taken to a number of properties and Joe gave us a tour of Columbus which gave us a better idea on what the area was all about. After seeing numerous homes for sale and rentals it made sense to purchase. Thanks to Joe, we found a home that was perfect for my son and daughter-in-law. Close to OSU and in a wonderful neighborhood. He guided us through every step of the process and was available ALWAYS. Joe Speakman is a dedicated, hard-working agent who will do what it takes to find you a property that you will be comfortable with. His honesty and devotion to the business is something that is hard to find these days. If you want an agent who will work overtime for YOU and not stop until he gets you what you want, then give him a chance. You won't be sorry!
  • Lynn F
    I've experienced many a real estate agents in my time....from NJ to Florida to Virginia to Ohio.......We were in a rush to find a suitable place to live in Columbus. Do we rent or buy? It was daunting.......My wife searched for a real estate agent and voila...Joe Speakman came up. We read his reviews and decided to give him a call. It was one of the best calls we ever made honestly. Our first conversation with Joe sealed it. He was professional, knowledgeable and friendly. He immediately started to send us listings and possible rentals. Once we traveled there and met him, we were taken to a number of properties and Joe gave us a tour of Columbus which gave us a better idea on what the area was all about. After seeing numerous homes for sale and rentals it made sense to purchase. Thanks to Joe, we found a home that was perfect for my son and daughter-in-law. Close to OSU and in a wonderful neighborhood. He guided us through every step of the process and was available ALWAYS. Joe Speakman is a dedicated, hard-working agent who will do what it takes to find you a property that you will be comfortable with. His honesty and devotion to the business is something that is hard to find these days. If you want an agent who will work overtime for YOU and not stop until he gets you what you want, then give him a chance. You won't be sorry!
  • Jimmy Ferrara
    My partner and I recently had the pleasure of working with Joseph Speakman, and we couldn’t have asked for a more compassionate and dedicated professional to help us find our first home! From start to finish, Joe went above and beyond to make our home-buying journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Coming from across the country with only two months before starting my new job, I knew it was going to be very difficult—almost impossible—to find a house, let alone a “dream house," given these challenges. Joe got it done for us! From our very first meeting, Joe impressed us with his genuine kindness and attentiveness. He took the time to truly understand our needs and preferences, never making us feel rushed or pressured. While we were out-of-state, we had to start our house search online. When we contacted Joe about a prospective house, to our surprise, he immediately got on his motorcycle and drove to the property to film a live virtual showing for us. I have never had a realtor do this for me before. Joe even took the time to drive around the neighborhoods to give us a sense of the house's surroundings. Joe was incredibly patient, answering all our questions and providing thoughtful guidance at every step of the house search. One of the things that stood out the most was Joe’s caring approach. He made us feel like we were his top priority, showing empathy and support throughout the entire process. Whether it was calming our nerves during negotiations or celebrating with us when we found "the one," Joe was there with a smile and a reassuring word. He also included my parents in the buying process and maintained communication between all of us. This is much harder than it sounds with four different opinions coming from different directions. Joe became our voice of reason and a true leader in narrowing down our decisions as a family. We eventually honed in on Victorian Village in Columbus as our number one neighborhood. Joe took this to heart and decided he would not stop until we had our ideal home, regardless of the challenging housing market. His deep knowledge of the local market and attention to detail ensured that we not only found a beautiful home but also made a sound investment. In fact, Joe advised us against a house with a higher asking price because he didn’t think it was a reasonable purchase for our situation. This is true kindness and shows that he did not become a realtor for financial reasons; he really enjoys his work and the clients he takes such good care of. When we finally made an in-person visit to the house we planned to make an offer on, he was there to answer all our questions, from flooring adjustments to appliance quality, as well as HVAC and water heater ages and HOA details. In the end, we were consistently impressed by his professionalism and dedication, and we truly felt that Joe had our best interests at heart. We are now happily settled into our new home, and we owe so much of that to Joe’s exceptional service. Joe even bought us Ohio State shirts to welcome us to the area, and we celebrated at dinner in town. In addition, Joe personally made sure the house was spotless before we arrived by hiring a cleaning service and removing old paint cans from the basement by himself! He also lent his ladder and tools when we moved in and he is still available for questions while we get settled. I definitely trust Joe—and not just as a businessman but as a new friend. If you’re looking for a realtor who combines expertise with genuine care and kindness, we wholeheartedly recommend Joe. He made our home-buying experience a memorable and positive one, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you, Joe, for everything you’ve done for us! Warmest regards, The Ferrara Family
  • jimfer2613
    My partner and I recently worked with Joseph Speakman and couldn't have asked for a more dedicated professional to help us find our first home. From start to finish, Joe made our home-buying journey smooth and enjoyable. Relocating across the country with only two months before starting my new job, finding a home seemed nearly impossible, but Joe made it happen. From our initial meeting, Joe impressed us with his kindness and attentiveness. He took the time to understand our needs without rushing us. Despite being out-of-state, Joe conducted live virtual showings and filmed properties, which was exceptional. He even explored neighborhoods for us. Joe’s patience and thoughtful guidance stood out. He made us feel like a priority, showing empathy and support during negotiations and celebrations. He also managed communication between us and my parents, who had different opinions. Joe’s ability to navigate these conversations was invaluable. We focused on Victorian Village in Columbus, and Joe was determined to find us the perfect home despite the challenging market. His knowledge and attention to detail ensured we found a beautiful investment. Joe even advised against a higher-priced house that wasn’t suitable for us, showing his commitment to our best interests. When we visited the house, Joe answered all our questions about flooring, appliances, HVAC, and HOA details. His professionalism and dedication were evident. Now, happily settled into our new home, we are deeply grateful for Joe’s exceptional service. He arranged a cleaning service and removed old paint cans before our arrival. Joe even gave us Ohio State shirts and joined us for a celebratory dinner. He’s still available for questions as we settle in. If you’re looking for a realtor who combines expertise with genuine care, we wholeheartedly recommend Joe. He made our home-buying experience memorable and positive, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
  • kathleen fox
    Joseph Speakman is incredibly knowledgeable about the short north area neighborhoods and real estate market. He’s great to work with, has fabulous resources to share, and will go above and beyond to deliver amazing service!
  • 11/10 would work with him again on our next house purchase. Joe was attentive, knowledgeable, and very active in our search. He guided us every step of the way. The home we ended up purchasing wasn’t even on our radar. He was the one who knew about it and suggested it to us and we loved it as soon as we saw it. He guided us every step of the way.
  • Diego “Alexander” Chacon
    11/10 would work with him again on our next house purchase. Joe was attentive, knowledgeable, and very active in our search. He guided us every step of the way. The home we ended up purchasing wasn’t even on our radar. He was the one who knew about it and suggested it to us and we loved it as soon as we saw it. He guided us every step of the way.
  • Joe was so helpful and knowledgeable!! He walked me through everything and answered my million questions with patience and kindness. Highly recommend!
  • Amy M
    Joe was so helpful and knowledgeable!! He walked me through everything and answered my million questions with patience and kindness. Highly recommend!
  • Shawn Hummell
    High Energy for High Impact. Joseph brings energy, enthusiasm and a "anything is possible" mindset to the partnership with his clients. It is an understatement to say, Joseph will do everything he can to advocate for his clients and ensure a true win-win outcome for each party. Joseph is quick to offer solutions, acts fast, and leverages his entire network to achieve outcomes everyone is proud of and supports. Jospeh approaches his relationships with clients with candor, integrity and transparency, critical ingredients for a successful partnership with any client. If you are looking for an agent who leads, acts, and delivers in the best interests of his clients, Joseph is the clear, unambiguous choice. It's just that simple!
  • Shawn Hummell
    Joseph brings energy, enthusiasm and a "anything is possible" mindset to the partnership with his clients. It is an understatement to say, Joseph will do everything he can to advocate for his clients and ensure a true win-win outcome for each party. Joseph is quick to offer solutions, acts fast, and leverages his entire network to achieve outcomes everyone is proud of and supports. Jospeh approaches his relationships with clients with candor, integrity and transparency, critical ingredients for a successful partnership with any client. If you are looking for an agent who leads, acts, and delivers in the best interests of his clients, Joseph is the clear, unambiguous choice. It's just that simple!
  • Mitchell Crompton
    Tremendous help for a first time home buyer. Joe was able to walk me through the entire home buying process and has all the best connections to local experts in the Columbus area.
  • Mitchell Crompton
    Joe was able to walk me through the entire home buying process and has all the best connections to local experts in the Columbus area.
  • Adrian Frederick
    By far, Joe is an exceptional agent. He is diligent, hawkish, pays attention to detail, and you really feel like you got value for his services. I am an experienced investor so likely a difficult client. Joe is savvy, responsive, and is always thinking outside the box on how to get a deal done! This makes him investor friendly, home buyer friendly and overall friendly!
  • Delores Clark
  • Joe is very knowledgable and even easier to work with. It has been a pleasure partnering with him.
  • McLean Funk
    Joe is very knowledgable and even easier to work with. It has been a pleasure partnering with him.
  • Craig Myers
    Great job! I appreciated all the work that Joseph Speakman did to make this sale happen. From the first day that he hand-delivered the comps through the negotiation, and closing, his attention to detail and keeping us informed was excellent.
  • Craig Myers
    I appreciated all the work that Joseph Speakman did to make this sale happen. From the first day that he hand-delivered the comps through the negotiation, and closing, his attention to detail and keeping us informed was excellent.
  • Patrick Curry
    I can't say enough about Joe. He even helped us tour the retirement community that we were considering. He handled details like raking leaves himself when I balked about more tasks. He was sensitive to our needs as I am 71 and my husband is 76. We had lived in the house for 32 years and he understood and respected that. I highly recommend Joe Speakman.
  • Joe uses market analytics, communicates just the right amount, is very professional and accessible, and is the only realtor I have dealt with who rolls up his sleeves to help.
  • Audrey Onyskow
    Joe is the best!!
  • Joe helped us list and sell our house in record time!! Thank you Joe!!
  • Shane Jeffers
    joe always makes sure to do everything he can to get every perk and negotiation done in my favor. he puts in a lot of work and moves very fast.
  • Joe is really the best. He has always been professional and attentive to our needs. He made the purchase a breeze! Thank you Joe!!
  • Vanessa Marks
    If you need an agent, look no further than Joe Speakman! Joe Speakman! - We absolutely loved working with you and getting to know you. Your personal touches made everything in our home buying/selling journey very easy, built a great trust and we consider you a friend. Working with us to help sell our home for more that we thought was possible was amazing. We’re very excited and love our new home. Thank you for everything!
  • Vanessa And Steve Marks
    Joe Speakman!!!! We absolutely loved working with you and getting to know you. You made everything in our home buying/selling journey very easy, built a great trust and we consider you a friend. We’re very excited for our new home. Thank you for everything!
  • Joe is a hustler - and I mean that in a good way. He works hard for his clients. He understands the local market and was really good at helping us find a home in a challenging market that matched with our desires. He's always helpful and provided excellent recommendations for other professionals to help us with our transaction. He has continued to provide us assistance after our purchase was completed. He even helped a seller, at his own expense, to fix issues that were identified prior to us being in contract. I strongly recommend people consider using Joe as their agent.
  • Joe was wonderful and we were very happy with our experience selling our home with him. He went above and beyond and was very communicative and honest.
  • Joe was great every step of the way. He dealt with issues as they arose and led us through the entire process. He was helping with clean up the night before. I’ll definitely recommend him to others.
  • Audrey
    Simply the BEST!!! Joe is very attentive and always comes through. Will highly recommend.

 

 

VIDEO GALLERY

Check out our video resources to learn more about the buying and selling process.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

feature image of What Is a Doctor or Physician's Home Loan?
What Is a Doctor or Physician's Home Loan?
Tailored to Unique Financial Profiles High Debt-to-Income Ratio: Many physicians have substantial student loan debt but also have the earning potential to manage it. Doctor Loans often consider this unique financial profile, making homeownership more accessible by factoring in future earning potential. Flexible Down Payment Requirements: Given that many doctors may not have saved enough for a traditional down payment due to student loans or other financial commitments, $0 down or low down payment options are a significant advantage. Customized Terms: Physician loans often come with terms designed around the career trajectory of doctors. This can include features like adjustable payment plans, graduated payment options, or even delayed repayment starts. No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): Traditional loans usually require PMI if the down payment is less than 20%. Doctor Loans, recognizing the low default risk among physicians, often waive this requirement, saving doctors money over the life of the loan. Competitive Interest Rates: While rates can vary based on individual circumstances, many doctors find that these specialized loans offer competitive rates, especially when compared to other non-conventional loan types. Streamlined Approval Process: Given the understanding of a doctor's future earning potential, these loans often have a more streamlined approval process. Lenders specializing in doctor loans are familiar with the intricacies of physician compensation structures, making the application process smoother. Career Stage Consideration: Whether you're a resident, fellow, or practicing physician, there are specific loan products designed to match your career stage. This ensures that the financial product aligns with your current income and future earning potential. Let's recap...  The Doctor Loan isn't just another mortgage option; it's a financial tool crafted with an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that physicians encounter. By offering flexibility in down payments, favorable terms, and recognizing the potential of a doctor's career trajectory, these loans aim to make homeownership a tangible and realistic goal for medical professionals.    
feature image of Seller Concessions: A Smart Strategy To Get Your House Sold
Seller Concessions: A Smart Strategy To Get Your House Sold
For the past few years, it’s been mostly a seller’s market. But dynamics are shifting as the number of homes for sale grows. And that means that the market is balancing out a bit. As a result, some sellers are finding they need to be more flexible to close a deal. One strategy that can help? Offering concessions.As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:“As home inventory begins to grow and buyers regain some advantage in the market, sellers may consider offering more in negotiations to make the deal more attractive and get to the closing table.”What Are Seller Concessions? Concessions are homebuying costs that a seller agrees to cover as a way to get their house sold. And based on data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), nearly 1 out of every 4 sellers (24%) offered a concession in 2024. Here are a few of the most common types of concessions:Covering Closing Costs: The seller pays for part (or all) of the buyer’s closing costs, like appraisal fees, title insurance, or loan fees. Price Adjustments: Instead of making repairs, a seller might lower the purchase price to make up for updates the buyer will need to tackle. Adding a Home Warranty: A seller may throw in a home warranty, giving the buyer peace of mind key repairs will be covered in the first year. And don’t worry. This doesn’t mean you have to come up with more cash to make it happen. These are things that get subtracted from your profits at closing – not more funds you have to bring to the table.  And not all concessions are about money.There are other extras you could throw in. Like, if your buyer is coming from an apartment and has never had a yard before, they may ask if you’d be willing to leave your lawn mower behind. That’s another lever you could pull to keep them happy.How Concessions Help Sellers Offering concessions can be a smart strategy for sellers to get a deal done. As Dennis Shirshikov, Professor of Finance and Economics, City University of New York/Queens College told The Mortgage Reports:"Pricing homes realistically and being willing to offer concessions, such as covering a portion of closing costs or including upgrades, will be key to closing deals . . . in a less frenzied market.”For example, let’s say you accepted an offer from a buyer, but after their inspection, you found out there are some repairs they want you to tackle before you hand over the keys.Rather than starting at square one and searching for a new buyer, you could offer a concession. One option is you can take on the repairs and cover the costs yourself. But, if you really don’t want the hassle of dealing with contractors, you could reduce your price by however much repairs would cost. Alternatively, you could offer to pay a portion of your buyer’s closing expenses with the idea they’d use the money they saved at closing toward doing the repairs themselves.Either way, a concession can be a great way to meet in the middle. However, it’s important to have an agent on your side to help with these negotiations. A good real estate agent can help you decide when and how to offer concessions, so you don’t give away too much while still ensuring your house gets sold. It’s all about finding the right balance. Bottom LineWith the market becoming more balanced, seller concessions are coming back into play in some areas. The key is having an agent to help guide you through the process, so things work out in your favor.What’s a concession you’d consider to move things along?
feature image of The Return to Urban Living — Why More People Are Moving Back to Cities
The Return to Urban Living — Why More People Are Moving Back to Cities
After years of suburban and rural migration during the pandemic, cities have been making a comeback in the past couple of years. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the percentage of people moving to cities has risen to 16%. While that may not sound like a big number to you, it is the highest level in a decade – and that’s a big deal (see graph below):And data from BrightMLS seems to confirm this trend. In a recent survey, 1 in 5 (20.6%) people looking to buy say they want to live in the city.So, what’s behind this ongoing shift back to urban living? Let’s break down the top three reasons why people are trading quiet suburbs for bustling cityscapes. You may find out you want to sell your house with a big yard and move to an urban oasis, too.1. Vibrant CultureCities have always been hubs of culture, entertainment, and community. They’re packed with energy and there are always endless things to do. During the pandemic, a lot of that excitement was put on pause. But the last couple of years? Cities are buzzing again.There’s nothing quite like being able to walk to your favorite coffee shop, pop into a local gallery, see a live concert or show, or grab a last-minute dinner at a great spot down the street. It’s a lifestyle that’s easy to love — and one a lot of people want today.2. Being Close to WorkRemote work is still a thing, but most companies are moving to hybrid schedules or even bringing employees back to the office. That makes living closer to work way more convenient. Whether it’s cutting down a long commute or having more chances to network in person, being close to the office is a big plus — especially for industries that thrive on face-to-face connections.3. Easy Access To Everything You Need or WantOne of the best things about living in a city? The convenience. Public transportation, top-notch healthcare, and so much more are all within easy reach. For a lot of people, having everything nearby just makes life easier — and it’s a big reason they’re drawn to urban living.What To Do If You Want To Move To the CityLet's say you moved to a suburban area during the pandemic and you’re missing the excitement of living right off city streets. You’re probably thinking: how can I afford to move back into the heart of things with how mortgage rates and home prices are? Here’s how other people are doing it.According to data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), home values have gone up by 57.4% in the last 5 years alone. And that means your house is probably going to sell for more than you bought it for.If you already own a home in the suburbs, you may be able to sell that house and use the equity you get back to fuel your move. Sure, you may have to compromise and be happy with a smaller, urban space – but if it’s the lifestyle you’re craving – that trade-off is going to be worth it. To find out what’s possible and what it costs to live in an urban area, lean on a local real estate professional.Bottom LineThe urban renaissance is real. Whether it’s the vibrant culture, being close to work, or having easy access to everything you need, cities are once again calling — and people are answering.What’s your favorite thing about life in the city? Connect with an agent to find a home you love where all the hustle and bustle makes life a bit more exciting.
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