LandColumbus

Land Investment in Columbus

Columbus land market's running hot, especially anything within 20 miles of Intel's New Albany fab site. We're seeing $35K-$65K per acre for entitled industrial parcels near the semiconductor corridor. Raw residential land in decent school districts is trading at $18K-$28K per acre if you can get utilities. The catch? Entitlement timelines have stretched 18-24 months due to city planning backlogs and new stormwater requirements. If you're marketing land here, buyers want Phase I environmental reports upfront and realistic utility hookup costs, not wishful thinking.

Market Context

Cap Rate Range

Land trades on price per acre basis, not cap rates. Entitled industrial $35K-$65K/acre, residential $18K-$28K/acre

Current Vacancy

Limited supply of entitled parcels. Less than 200 acres of shovel-ready industrial land within Intel corridor

Rent Trend

Build-to-suit industrial land leases at $0.85-$1.15 per SF annually for entitled sites

Absorption

Industrial land absorption accelerated 340% since Intel announcement. Residential parcels move in 8-14 months

Price Per Unit Trend

Entitled residential lots commanding $45K-$75K per unit in suburbs, up 25% from 2024

Transaction Volume

$180M in land sales Q4 2025, 65% industrial/logistics related. Largest deal: 85-acre Intel supplier site for $4.2M

Submarket Analysis

New Albany/Intel Corridor

$55K-$85K per acre cap

Vacancy

Virtually zero entitled inventory

Avg Rent (1BR)

Ground lease $1.25/SF NNN

Red hot. Intel suppliers paying premiums for proximity

OM Tip

Include traffic counts on 161/23. Buyers want utility capacity letters from AEP Ohio

Southwest Franklin County

$25K-$45K per acre cap

Vacancy

Moderate supply, 400+ acres available

Avg Rent (1BR)

Ground lease $0.75/SF NNN

Steady industrial demand from logistics companies

OM Tip

Highlight proximity to I-270/I-71 interchange. Include ODOT traffic projections

Dublin/Northwest

$40K-$65K per acre cap

Vacancy

Limited entitled residential inventory

Avg Rent (1BR)

Lot sales $65K-$85K per unit

Strong residential demand, Dublin schools premium

OM Tip

Include Dublin school district enrollment projections. Water/sewer capacity critical

Southeast/Pickaway County

$15K-$28K per acre cap

Vacancy

Abundant raw land supply

Avg Rent (1BR)

Agricultural lease $200-$300/acre

Speculative play on Columbus metro expansion

OM Tip

Clarify sewer availability timeline. Most parcels on septic approval only

Urban Infill/Short North

$2M-$4M per acre cap

Vacancy

Extremely limited supply

Avg Rent (1BR)

Mixed-use development sites

Trophy assets for mixed-use development

OM Tip

Include parking variance letters. Height restrictions vary by block

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What Your OM Needs to Address

Environmental Status Clarity

Columbus buyers won't move without Phase I reports. Any industrial legacy requires Phase II

Data to Include

Phase I date and consultant name, Phase II summary if applicable, known contamination within 1000 feet

Utility Infrastructure Reality Check

Don't assume utilities are available. AEP Ohio and city water/sewer have capacity constraints

Data to Include

Utility capacity letters, hookup cost estimates, timeline for service extensions

Entitlement Timeline Honesty

Columbus planning review taking 18-24 months. Franklin County faster at 12-16 months

Data to Include

Current entitlement status, required approvals remaining, realistic timeline with consultants' letters

Traffic Impact Disclosures

ODOT and MORPC have new traffic study requirements. Industrial sites over 100K SF need full studies

Data to Include

Existing traffic counts, required transportation improvements, ODOT coordination status

Stormwater Management Costs

New Franklin County stormwater rules add significant development costs and timeline

Data to Include

Topographic survey, preliminary stormwater design, estimated infrastructure costs

School District Impact Fees

Residential development faces impact fees ranging $2,500-$8,500 per unit depending on district

Data to Include

School district boundaries, current impact fee schedule, enrollment capacity data

Investment Outlook

Short Term

Intel effect continues driving land prices near semiconductor corridor. Expect 15-20% annual price appreciation through 2027 for entitled industrial sites. Residential land appreciation slowing to 8-12% as mortgage rates pressure housing demand. Raw land harder to finance, requires 30-40% down payments.

Medium Term

2027-2030 timeline depends on Intel Phase 2 construction decision and federal CHIPS Act funding continuation. Industrial land supply constraints persist as owners hold for higher prices. Residential development shifts toward townhome/condo sites as single-family affordability deteriorates. Environmental compliance costs increase with stricter Ohio EPA rules.

Long Term

Columbus positioned for continued growth with semiconductor ecosystem build-out attracting supply chain companies. Climate change regulations may limit greenfield development, increasing infill site premiums. Transportation infrastructure improvements around Intel corridor create new development nodes. Land banking becomes viable strategy for patient capital with 10+ year horizons.

Buyer Profile

Industrial land: REITs, build-to-suit developers, manufacturing companies relocating supply chains closer to Intel. Residential: Local home builders, national production builders in suburbs, private equity for entitled lot portfolios. Raw land: Family offices, local developers, farmers transitioning to development. Foreign buyers minimal due to CFIUS scrutiny near Intel facility.

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