Ohio Real Estate Intel

The Franklin County Building Department issues permits for 1-, 2-, and 3-family residential structures and associated development, while the State of Ohio handles commercial building permits under the 2019 Residential Code of Ohio.

The Willcut Group explains that most real estate agents charge 5-6% of the home's sale price, typically split between the buyer's and seller's agents, with negotiable rates.

Building permits in Franklin County are issued 7 to 10 days after full plan approval for properties with public water and sewer access.

A building permit authorizes contractors or homeowners to begin work described in project plans, with the process starting when an application and required plans are submitted for approval.

Franklin County offers a centralized online resource where residents and professionals can access information from multiple county offices on property taxes, parcel searches, real estate filings, and records searches.

The source outlines that Ohio real estate commissions can reach 5.5% to 6% while highlighting a flat fee MLS service as an alternative to potentially save sellers money.

A February 2026 survey found the average real estate commission in Ohio is 5.90%, slightly above the national average of 5.70%.

A new resource breaks down the average Ohio real estate commission rate and what sellers typically pay Realtors when listing a home.

An online directory of Ohio public records is now available to help users locate official records statewide.

A new resource breaks down what home sellers pay in real estate commission across Ohio and how they can reduce costs.

Even after a clean title commitment, four issues commonly surface post-close: undisclosed easements (often utility), boundary discrepancies between deed and survey, unreleased mortgages from prior owners, and mechanic's liens filed within the lookback window. Owner's title insurance covers most of these; lender's policy alone does not.

A growing number of OH cities require landlords to register rental properties, pass periodic inspections, and pay an annual fee. Penalties for unlicensed operation typically include fines per day and, in some cases, retroactive return of collected rent. The rules apply to single-unit landlords, not just large operators.

Some OH jurisdictions give the foreclosed owner a statutory right to redeem the property within a window after the sale (often 6-12 months). Buyers at foreclosure auctions in those jurisdictions take title subject to redemption — meaning the prior owner can reclaim the property by paying the auction price plus interest. Title insurance does not cover this exposure.