Intel’s planned semiconductor manufacturing campus in New Albany represents a generational economic shift for Central Ohio. The project is expected to bring thousands of construction and permanent jobs to the region, and that kind of sustained employment growth creates durable, long-term housing demand across the suburbs east and northeast of Columbus, including New Albany, Pataskala, Gahanna, Westerville, and Lewis Center. If you’re thinking about buying in any of these areas, understanding what’s driving the market is essential before you make a move.
The Intel Project: What’s Actually Been Announced
Intel announced in January 2022 that it would build a massive chip-manufacturing campus on roughly 1,000 acres in New Albany, Ohio, with an initial investment commitment of $20 billion, at the time described as the largest private investment in Ohio’s history. The project was backed by federal support through the CHIPS and Science Act, which was signed into law in August 2022 and allocated billions in federal subsidies to domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
Intel has publicly described the New Albany site as capable of eventually supporting up to eight fabrication facilities, with the long-term investment potentially reaching $100 billion over a decade. That scale matters for homebuyers because it signals this isn’t a short-term construction bump, it’s a multi-decade economic anchor for the region.
It’s worth noting that Intel announced in late 2024 that it was pausing or delaying some phases of construction globally as it worked through financial restructuring. Local and national reporting has tracked those updates closely. The core commitment to the New Albany site remains, but buyers should follow current project timelines rather than assume the original 2025-2026 construction schedule is unchanged. The Ohio Department of Development and local reporting from The Columbus Dispatch are the most reliable places to track real-time project status.
What I tell every client asking about this: the employment pipeline Intel creates, construction workers, engineers, supply-chain workers, support services, is already influencing housing demand in the corridor. You don’t need to wait for the fabs to open to feel it in the market.
What This Means for Housing Demand in Central Ohio
The neighborhoods most directly in the path of demand
New Albany itself has limited resale inventory at any given time, it’s a planned community with a relatively small housing stock and higher price points. That means workers and families relocating for Intel-related jobs are spreading out across a wider ring of suburbs. In my experience working with buyers in this part of Central Ohio, the areas seeing the most direct spillover interest include:
- Pataskala and Licking County: Adjacent to the Intel site, with more affordable price points and room for new construction. Licking County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in Ohio for several years running.
- Gahanna: Established community with strong infrastructure, closer to the airport and east Columbus employment corridors.
- Westerville and Lewis Center: Popular with professional relocators who want more square footage and newer construction without the New Albany premium.
- Reynoldsburg and Pickerington: More affordable entry points for buyers who need to stay within a reasonable commute of the New Albany campus.
According to Columbus REALTORS®, Central Ohio has consistently ranked among the most competitive housing markets in the Midwest, with low months of supply and above-average price appreciation compared to national averages. Major employer announcements like Intel’s are exactly the kind of demand driver that sustains that trend over a longer horizon than a typical market cycle.
The National Association of REALTORS® has documented repeatedly that large-scale employer relocations and expansions are among the strongest predictors of sustained home price appreciation in a metro area. Central Ohio is a textbook case of that dynamic playing out in real time.
New construction vs. resale: what buyers are actually choosing
One of the most common questions I get from buyers eyeing this corridor is whether to pursue new construction or an existing home. Here’s the honest answer: both have trade-offs, and the Intel effect touches both segments differently.
New construction in Pataskala, Etna Township, and parts of Licking County has accelerated, with several builders actively developing communities positioned as Intel-adjacent. Wait times and pricing have both moved. Builders have been able to hold firm on price because demand justifies it. If you’re going the new construction route, having an agent represent you at the builder’s sales office matters, the builder’s agent represents the builder, not you.
Resale inventory in New Albany and Gahanna remains tight. When well-priced homes come to market, they move quickly. Buyers who aren’t pre-approved and ready to act are consistently losing out. I walk my clients through pre-approval before we ever tour a home, because in this market, hesitation is expensive.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s homebuying resource center is a solid starting point if you’re working through the financing side for the first time. For first-time buyers especially, understanding the process step by step is what leads to confident decisions, not rushing into a purchase because you feel pressure from the market.
| New Albany | Immediate (on-site area) | Planned community, higher price points | Limited resale inventory; premium location |
| Pataskala | Adjacent (Licking County) | Mix of resale and active new construction | More affordable; fastest-growing corridor |
| Gahanna | 15-20 min west | Established resale, some infill new builds | Strong infrastructure; airport proximity |
| Westerville / Lewis Center | 20-25 min northwest | Newer subdivisions, professional buyer base | Popular with relocating professionals |
| Reynoldsburg / Pickerington | 25-30 min south | More affordable resale and new construction | Best value for commuters on a tighter budget |
What Buyers Should Do Right Now
Real estate remains one of the most reliable ways to build long-term wealth, and buying in a corridor anchored by a multi-decade employer investment is about as strong a long-term thesis as you’ll find in the Midwest. But timing and preparation still matter.
Here’s what I recommend to anyone seriously considering a purchase in this corridor:
- Get pre-approved before you start touring. Sellers and builders in this market don’t wait. A pre-approval letter from a lender, not just a pre-qualification, is your entry ticket. The HUD homebuying resources page lists HUD-approved housing counselors if you want independent guidance on the financing side.
- Understand Licking County vs. Franklin County differences. The Intel site straddles the Franklin/Licking County line, and properties on either side have different tax structures, conveyance fees, and recorder processes. The Licking County Auditor and Franklin County Auditor both publish property tax and transfer information online. These are details that affect your actual carrying costs, worth understanding before you make an offer.
- Factor in Ohio’s disclosure requirements. Ohio sellers are required to complete a Residential Property Disclosure Form under the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing rules. In a fast market, buyers sometimes feel pressure to waive inspections, I don’t recommend it. Read the disclosure carefully and get an independent inspection.
- Watch project timeline updates. If you’re buying specifically because of Intel’s employment pipeline, track the construction schedule. The City of New Albany and The Columbus Dispatch are the most reliable local sources for project updates.
- Think about resale and rental demand, not just your own use. In a market shaped by a major employer, investment potential matters even for owner-occupants. Proximity to employment centers drives both resale value and rental demand if your plans change.
Your specific situation, budget, timeline, whether you’re relocating for work or buying locally, shapes which of these neighborhoods makes the most sense. That’s exactly the kind of conversation I have with buyers before we ever pull up a single listing. If you want to understand the Columbus real estate market more broadly before narrowing to the Intel corridor, here’s a deeper look at how Central Ohio’s market works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Albany itself affordable for most homebuyers?
New Albany carries a premium price point relative to the broader Columbus metro, it’s a master-planned community with higher-end development standards. Most buyers drawn to the Intel corridor who need more budget flexibility are looking at Pataskala, Gahanna, Westerville, or Lewis Center instead. I can walk you through what your budget realistically gets in each of these areas before you commit to a search.
Will Intel’s presence guarantee home values go up in the area?
No investment in real estate comes with a guarantee, and I won’t tell you otherwise. What I can say is that large, multi-decade employer commitments are among the most durable demand drivers in residential real estate, and Central Ohio was already a strong market before Intel’s announcement. The risk isn’t zero, project delays, economic cycles, and interest rate changes all affect outcomes, but the long-term fundamentals here are as solid as anywhere in the Midwest.
Does it matter whether a property is in Franklin County or Licking County near the Intel site?
It matters practically. Property tax rates, conveyance fees at closing, and recorder processes differ between Franklin and Licking counties. Licking County has generally had lower home prices than comparable Franklin County locations, which is part of why it’s attracted so much new construction activity. Before you make an offer, check the specific county, and confirm the tax figures with the relevant county auditor’s office, not just an online estimate.
Should I buy now or wait to see how Intel’s construction progresses?
This is the question I get most often, and the honest answer is: waiting for certainty usually means paying more. The demand Intel creates doesn’t wait for the fabs to open, it’s already in the market through construction employment, supplier activity, and relocation anticipation. That said, your personal financial readiness matters more than market timing. If you’re not pre-approved, not sure of your budget, or still deciding on location, those steps come first. Let’s talk through where you actually stand before making a timing call.
What’s the buying process like in Ohio for someone relocating from out of state?
Ohio uses an attorney-optional closing model, most transactions close through a title company rather than requiring an attorney, though you can involve one if you choose. You’ll complete a standard purchase contract, negotiate inspection contingencies, and close with a title company handling the deed transfer and recording. Ohio sellers provide a mandatory Residential Property Disclosure Form, which you should review carefully. For out-of-state buyers especially, having a local agent who knows the specific neighborhoods, not just the state, makes a real difference in avoiding surprises. Here’s an overview of what a smooth Columbus-area buying experience looks like from start to finish.
The Bottom Line
Intel’s New Albany campus is the kind of economic catalyst that reshapes a region’s housing market for a generation, and Central Ohio was already one of the Midwest’s most competitive real estate markets before the announcement. Whether you’re relocating for work, investing, or simply buying a home in a market with strong long-term fundamentals, the suburbs in this corridor deserve serious attention.
I’ve worked with buyers across New Albany, Pataskala, Gahanna, Westerville, and the rest of Central Ohio for nearly 30 years. I know where the value is, where the inventory is tightest, and how to help you move with confidence in a competitive market. When you’re ready to talk specifics, reach out for a free consultation, no pressure, just an honest conversation about what makes sense for your situation.
About Aftab Syed
Aftab Syed, known as “Mike the Realtor”, is an Associate Broker and REALTOR® with RE/MAX Connection who has helped buyers, sellers, and investors in Columbus and Central Ohio for nearly 30 years, offering honest, pressure-free guidance across New Albany, Pataskala, Gahanna, Westerville, and the broader metro.
RE/MAX Connection · 614-404-4619
Equal Housing Opportunity. Aftab Syed is licensed as an Associate Broker in Ohio (Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing). This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Confirm all costs, tax figures, and transaction details with your attorney, tax advisor, lender, or closing/title officer. Broker compensation is fully negotiable and not set by law.
