State guide

Buying or Selling a Home in Ohio: What You Need to Know

Ohio's home-buying and selling process is one of the more consumer-friendly in the country — closings are handled by title companies instead of attorneys, and most rules are spelled out clearly in state law.

Are you buying or selling?

TL;DR

Ohio's home-buying and selling process is one of the more consumer-friendly in the country — closings are handled by title companies instead of attorneys, and most rules are spelled out clearly in state law. Sellers fill out a standardized property disclosure form, and buyers now have to sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes. State law also adds extra fair housing protections and sets uniform title insurance rates, so a few costs and rights are the same no matter which county you're in.

9 things every Ohio buyer or seller should know

  • Ohio is not an attorney state — your closing is handled by a licensed title company instead of a lawyer, which usually keeps Ohio's closing costs lower than states that require attorneys.

  • Ohio title insurance rates are set by the Ohio Title Insurance Rating Bureau, so every title company in the state must charge the same rate for the same coverage — you can't shop around for a cheaper price.

  • Since August 17, 2024, under the NAR settlement, a buyer in Ohio must have a written agreement with their agent before that agent shows them any home listed on a MLS.

  • Most Ohio home sellers must fill out the Residential Property Disclosure Form (ORC §5302.30), listing what they know about water source, sewer, structural condition, radon, underground storage tanks, and any material defects in the home.

  • Ohio sellers pay a real property conveyance fee (the state's version of a transfer tax) at closing — $1 per $1,000 of sale price statewide, plus up to $3 more per $1,000 depending on the county.

  • Dual agency — one licensee representing both the buyer and the seller in the same deal — is legal in Ohio only if both sides give informed written consent before the arrangement begins.

  • Ohio fair housing law protects everything federal law does (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status) plus two extra categories: ancestry and military status, which covers active duty, reserves, and veterans.

  • Ohio agents must hand you the Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships at first substantive contact — meaning before you share anything confidential like your budget, motivation to move, or financial qualifications.

  • If you're buying an Ohio home from a seller who isn't a U.S. citizen or resident, federal FIRPTA rules make you (the buyer) responsible for withholding 10–15% of the sale price and sending it to the IRS at closing.

The guides

Common questions

Do I need a lawyer to buy or sell a home in Ohio?
No. Ohio is not an attorney state — a licensed title company runs the closing instead. You can hire an attorney if you want extra review of the contract or title, but it's optional, not required.
Who pays the transfer tax when a home sells in Ohio?
The seller usually pays Ohio's real property conveyance fee at closing. It's $1 per $1,000 of sale price statewide, plus up to $3 more per $1,000 depending on the county — Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) charges the maximum $4 per $1,000.
Can I shop around for cheaper title insurance in Ohio?
No. Ohio uses a state-set rate system where every title insurer charges the same Ohio Title Insurance Rating Bureau (OTIRB) rate. The price depends on the coverage amount, not which company you pick.
Do I have to fill out a disclosure form when I sell my Ohio home?
Yes. Ohio's Residential Property Disclosure Form (ORC §5302.30) is required for most residential sales of one-to-four-unit homes. You list what you actually know about water source, sewer, structural condition, radon, underground tanks, and any material defects. Your agent can't fill it out for you.
Do I have to sign anything with an agent before they show me homes in Ohio?
Yes. Since the NAR settlement took effect August 17, 2024, you must have a written buyer agreement with your agent before they tour you through any home listed on a MLS. The agreement spells out what your agent does for you and how they get paid.
Is it legal in Ohio for one agent to represent both the buyer and the seller?
Yes, but only with informed written consent from both sides before it starts — this is called dual agency. In that setup the agent can't fully advocate for either side, so many people choose to have their own separate agent instead.
Does Ohio require a radon test before I buy a home?
No — there's no state mandate to test for radon at sale. But the seller's disclosure form does ask whether they know about radon on the property. Much of northern and central Ohio sits in the EPA's highest radon zone, so many buyers pay for their own radon test during the inspection period.
What does Ohio fair housing law cover that federal law doesn't?
Ohio adds two protected classes on top of the federal seven: ancestry and military status. Military status includes active duty, reserves, and veterans. That means landlords, sellers, and agents in Ohio can't treat you differently based on your military service or ancestral background.

Glossary

2 terms
NAR — National Association of Realtors
The national trade group for real-estate agents. The 2024 NAR settlement is the legal deal that changed how buyer's agents get paid.
MLS — Multiple Listing Service
The shared database agents use to list and find homes for sale. Most homes you'll see online started here.