Real Estate Laws in Ohio.

All Ohio mortgage foreclosures are judicial. Requires filing of complaint, service, judgment of foreclosure, and sheriff's sale. Deficiency judgments permitted. Typical timeline 12-18+ months.

The borrower may redeem the property by paying the judgment and costs any time before confirmation of the sheriff's sale (typically 30-60 days after sale). No post-confirmation redemption.

Sellers of residential property (1-4 units) must complete and deliver a Residential Property Disclosure Form covering material defects, mechanical systems, water/sewage, and other conditions.

Ohio's 2009 Transfer on Death Designation Affidavit replaced earlier transfer-on-death deeds. Recorded affidavit transfers real property automatically at death outside of probate.

Homestead protects up to $161,375 (2024, indexed to inflation triennially). Among the more generous homestead exemptions in the U.S.

Contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers may file mechanics' liens against improved real property. Filing deadline: 60 days (residential 1-2 units) or 75 days (commercial) from last furnishing. Notice of Commencement and Notice of Furnishing required on commercial projects.

Ohio is a race-notice state: a subsequent bona fide purchaser for value without notice who records first prevails over an earlier unrecorded conveyance.